Richard Spencer’s fine record with two-year-olds this season will attract many punters to the chance of Stay Classy (6.10 Windsor). But perhaps a little caution is necessary.
Six of the Newmarket trainer’s 25 two-year-old runners on turf in 2018 have won – pointing to Spencer’s skill with juveniles, as showcased at Royal Ascot last year when he saddled Rajasinghe to win the Coventry Stakes. It was the young trainer’s first full year with as a licence.
The new master of Sefton Lodge, however, is concerned by two factors governing Stay Classy’s prospects at Windsor: her draw (stall 13 in the 13-runner field) and whether she will settle sufficiently.
The filly made her debut at Doncaster in May, finishing third in a race whose form has worked out impressively. That run meant she started as favourite for her next run, at Nottingham five weeks ago, but she finished only fourth of the eight runners after pulling hard.
She wears a hood today in the hope it helps her settle. “She overraced at Nottingham and naturally we’re hoping she relaxes this time,” Spencer said on Sunday, “but the draw is a disappointment and may be of no help to her.”
In the circumstances, Lively Lydia (6.10 Windsor), a close-up fifth in a decent contest at Chelmsford a fortnight ago, may be a safer alternative.
It should be noted that Spencer has hopes of a good Glorious Goodwood and expresses confidence that his Rumble Inthejungle (fourth in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot last month) can show up in Sussex with sound prospects.
At Ayr on Monday, David O’Meara’s sparkling recent run of form can continue with Ventura Royal (3.05 Ayr), while Akamanto (5 .10 Ayr) , a runner-up at Chester last time, has a solid chance in the apprentice race.
Ayr 1.30 Kuwait Station 2.00 House Of Cards 2.30 Batten The Hatches 3.05 Ventura Royal (nb) 3.35 Mischief Managed 4.10 Black Salt (nap) 4.40 Glasses Up 5.10 Akamanto
Beverley 6.00 So Near So Farhh 6.30 Queen Jo Jo 7.00 Flying Foxy 7.30 Geetanjali 8.00 Three Saints Bay 8.30 Vigee Le Brun 9.00 John Caesar
Cartmel 2.15 Lucca Lady 2.45 Dreamsoftheatre 3.20 Handy Hollow 3.50 Trafalgar Rock 4.25 Oliver’s Gold 4.55 Easy Street5.25 Lord Fendale
Windsor 5.40 The Jean Genie 6.10 Lively Lydia 6.40 Goodnight Girl 7.10 Madame Bounty 7.40 Life On Earth 8.10 Klassique 8.40 Dagian
