Racing
York Place 6 Preview | 14th May
13.45 Sky Bet ebfstallions.com Novice Stakes
Impossible to identify the winner but STATTEN ISLAND hails from a stable that is no stranger to success at this venue, so he could be one to note. Karl Burke is already having an excellent season, so ROCK STEADY BEAT could make his mark on debut under Clifford Lee.
Tips: STATTEN ISLAND & ROCK STEADY BEAT
14.20 Lindum York Handicap
TOCA MADERA could be an outsider worth a second look. He is a quirky customer but finished a very good third in this last year off a mark of 95. He’s now down to a mark of 87 and this year’s renewal looks slightly weaker, so he could outrun his odds once more.
COROLLA POINT let his supporters down at Beverley last time out but he should be better suited to this event and is likely to have been targeted at this for a while. He is the other one to consider in what is a wide-open heat.
Tips: TOCA MADERA & COROLLA POINT
14.55 Oakmere Homes Hambleton Handicap
CERULEAN BAY was in good form last year, winning two decent handicaps at Goodwood, as well as placing in a few others, including here. I have no doubt he would have won his return at Haydock having suffered traffic problems before closing up to finish fourth. With that run under his belt, I’m expecting him to go close off the same mark.
VAFORTINO has finished second on both previous course outings, including in the Group 2 City Of York Stakes two years ago and must be respected with Billy Loughnane booked to ride. I think he’s a player following a solid stint in Meydan so far this year.
Tips: CERULEAN BAY & VAFORTINO
15.30 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies’ Stakes (Fillies’ & Mares’ Group 2)
I’m going to take a chance on RED LETTER. She will be race-fit and I wasn’t convinced by See The Fire last time out despite getting the job done. This filly has a bit to find on ratings but I can see the race being set up nicely for her and Ger Lyons wouldn’t be sending her over without good reason. She could cause a bit of an upset.
Tips: RED LETTER
16.05 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes
ITEM has an absence to overcome but she made light work of her opposition in two starts last year, looking like the real deal, and is worth a crack at this level. Those weren’t strong events that he won but I loved the way he quickened clear each time and he might have slipped under the radar. I think he’s a lot better than his rating states. Andrew Balding could have a really talented horse on his hands.
Tips: ITEM
16.40 British Stallion Studs EBF Westow Stakes (Listed)
The David O’Meara-trained MANATEE MEHMAS could hardly have won any easier on debut at Doncaster, always travelling smoothly before pulling clear to score by more than three lengths. Connections waste no time in stepping him up in grade and I think he’s a major player given what he showed first-time-out. He is well worth the roll of the dice.
Tips; MANATEE MEHMAS
