ToF Tidbits - 12 July 08

Just a few bits and pieces that I think are worth mentioning:

This past week saw the Newmarket July meeting. I had three runners at the meet; Spitfire, Alfathaa and Unleashed. I was home on Wednesday afternoon to see Spitfire take 2nd in the Toteswinger Handicap, a class 2 heritage handicap over 6 furlongs. He had shown decent enough form in the past and had Frankie Dettori on board. I put my money where my mouth is and put some each way money on him. Good for me! He was 2nd by only 3/4 of a length.
It was Alfathaa and Unleashed's turns on Thursday. I wanted to have a bet on them both, as they both looked to have great chances, but I completely forgot! Unleashed ran in the Bahrain Trophy, a listed event over 1m5f. He too lost by 3/4 lengths, but was 4th.
Alfathaa ran in the 4.20, a class 2 conditions stakes over a mile. I have always had a lot of faith in Alfathaa and I believe he is still improving. He led for long time, racing keenly, but was beaten by Generous Thought to finish second by, you guessed it, 3/4 lengths.

2yo filly Acquiesced made her debut on 3 July in a maiden at Newbury. She ran an excellent 2nd losing only by a short head to Starlarks. She is owned by Mrs J Wood and trained by Richard Hannon.

Silver Moose broke the $200k mark in prize money yesterday when he won an allowance optional claiming race at Monmouth Park. He is owned and trained by Edwin Thomas Broome. Congrats to him. Silver Moose is one of my favourites :o)

Eastern Anthem ran 3rd today in the John Smith's Extra Smooth Silver Cup Stakes, a listed handicap over 1m6f at York, behind Yellowstone and Gull Wing. I really quite fancied him in this and he came off a good performance in a listed event at Goodwood last month. It was the first time he tried this distance and it looked like it was just a furlong too far for him, especially in the heavy ground. A decent performance, but he should do better next time out. He will win a listed event in time.

Callwood Dancer is about to try to equal her performance in the Nassau S when she takes onfive of her Nassau rivals in a 7-horse field in the $300k Dance Smartly (G2) at Woodbine. She beat Quiet Jungle by a nose last time, but today Quiet Jungle has a 8 pound advantage, Callwood Dancer carrying 121 to Quiet Jungle's 113. I know she can do it. C'mon girl!

Eastern Anthem Beaten By A Head

Eastern Anthem only lost by a head to Peppertree Lane in yesterday's Hildon Stakes, a Listed event over 1 1/2 miles at Goodwood. As you know, I was surprised to see him as a third string for Godolphin, but I think he proved today that he definitely deserves to be first string and if he continues this season as he started he will be winning some nice races for the Godolphin team.

He holds an entry in the G1 Gold Cup at Ascot on 19 June, but I am concerned that the race might be a little far for him. From his pedigree he should be most effective over 1m2f, but we will see.

I am very pleased that he ran well and I hope he can build on this.

The Return Of The Anthem

Eastern Anthem, son of the great Kazzia, makes his return to the track today. I adore this horse and have done since he was a foal, simply because he is Kazzia's first foal. Kazzia was a fantastic racemare and I wanted her son to take after her. He broke his maiden first time out and but 'only' managed a second and third as a three-year-old. He hasn't raced for over a year.

Funnily enough, he seems to be Godolphin's third choice in the race, but I am hoping his return will be successful,. Fingers crossed!