Tuesday’s best bets, by Greg Wood
There is some disappointing news this morning before Royal Ascot next week, as So Mi Dar, whose sporadic appearances over the past two seasons have hinted at genuine Group 1 quality, will miss the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes a week on Wednesday due to the same muscle enzyme problem that ruled her out of the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown last month.
So Mi Dar seemed poised to be one of the biggest stars in last year’s Classic generation when she took the Derby Trial and then the Musidora Stakes at York on her first two starts as a three-year-old. She was then ruled out of the Oaks due to lameness, however, and did not run again until an impressive success at Yarmouth in September before finishing a close third the Group 1 Prix de l’Opera on at Chantilly after finding some trouble in running.
John Gosden, So Mi Dar’s trainer, told the Racing Post: “So Mi Dar will be missing Royal Ascot as she is not fully back to where we want her from the high muscle enzymes which ruled her out of Sandown. It’s frustrating for all concerned and hopefully she can be back for a late summer/autumn campaign.”
So Mi Dar had been quoted at around 8-1 for the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes, the feature event on the second day of the Royal meeting. Gosden still has a strong contender for the race, however, as Jack Hobbs, the 2015 Irish Derby winner, is the 7-2 joint-favourite alongside Sir Michael Stoute’s Ulysses, with André Fabre’s Cloth Of Stars next in the list at 6-1.
On Tuesday’s cards, Dubara (4.00) makes plenty of appeal to win the feature event at Salisbury, a handicap for three-year-old fillies. Luca Cumani’s runner needed five attempts to get off the mark as a juvenile, and then only did so in a dead-heat at Beverley, but she looked an improved performer this season when finishing third in a strong race at Newmarket first time up. Several of those that finished behind her have performed with credit since, and there is more than enough stamina on her dam’s side – she is by Dubawi out of a Sadler’s Wells mare – to suggest that today’s step up to a mile and a quarter will bring further improvement.
Secret Agent (3.30) is still looking for his first win but ran well behind Jashma, who re-opposes today, on his return to action at Bath last month. With that race behind him, and a 7lb pull in the weights today, he should be able to reverse the form in a race which may not take much winning.
Loving Your Work (4.30) is a somewhat quirky individual but has dropped to a very attractive mark and should go close on the same card, while Excel Again (3.45) and Ghinia (6.20) look like the most solid bets on the cards at Yarmouth and Lingfield respectively.
Tuesday racing tips
Salisbury
2.00 Initiative 2.30 Groundnut 3.00 Razzmatazz 3.30 Secret Agent 4.00 Dubara (nap) 4.30 Loving Your Work 5.00 Topmeup 5.30 Swanton Blue
Yarmouth
2.15 Tivoli 2.45 Hawkerland 3.15 Theydon Girls 3.45 Excel Again (nb) 4.15 Permanent 4.45 Chetan 5.15 Wotadoll
Lingfield Park
5.50 Sporting Times 6.20 Ghinia 6.50 Notice 7.20 Akavit 7.50 Nag’s Wag 8.20 Elizabeth Bennet 8.50 Buzz Lightyere
Southwell
6.00 Maxed Out King 6.30 Riddlestown 7.00 Polly’s Pursuit 7.30 Paddy’s Field 8.00 Beyeh 8.30 Amirr 9.00 Powderonthebonnet
