It’s at about this point that it would usually be pertinent to provide a detailed preview of the St Leger, the last Classic of the season.
As it happens that race, and Doncaster’s big Saturday card as a whole, has been seriously depleted.
True, there are some nice fields, but we’re not talking here about the lack of horses overall, but more about the lack of human talent on show as some of the big names choose to head elsewhere.
Other Cards More Attractive to Star Names
As was always planned, Britain’s most successful recent riders William Buick and Oisin Murphy are each heading off to Canada on Saturday for valuable races at Woodbine for their retainers.
It seems Ryan Moore may stay in Ireland for their Champions Weekend, while Tom Marquand also heads to Leopardstown on Saturday for some very big rides.
Let’s not forget that many people turn up to see the top riding talent, but while some excellent jockeys will be on show at Donny, the biggest names will not be in attendance.
The Leger itself is a disappointment it has to be said. No Charlie Appleby, no John Gosden, no William Haggas, no Buick, no Marquand, no Murphy, no Moore and no James Doyle. The latter of course is retained by Wathnan Racing and they field Fallen Angel in the Matron at Leopardstown.
You can still bet confidently at Doncaster, but the top trainers and jockeys win for a reason. Many follow them, but which names should we keep on our side on Saturday?
Marquand the Man at Leopardstown?
As mentioned, Tom Marquand is at Leopardstown primarily to ride Economics in the Irish Champion Stakes. We can’t take his booking on Maljoom as a major sign, but he too can run well. He has also been booked to ride Porta Fortuna for Joseph O’Brien with the pair favourite for the Matron Stakes.
He does face some very stiff competition though, so we cannot simply follow him as a jockey. Aidan O’Brien has a stranglehold on the St Leger in England, yet it seems Ryan Moore is favouring Leopardstown.
Does that mean he believes classy Auguste Rodin can beat Economics? Even if that’s true, it goes against the Marquand angle leaving punters in the same plight.
Instead, it should be William Buick we’re looking at especially considering the targeted nature of Charlie Appleby’s entries.
Boys in Blue to be Smoking at Woodbine
It’s always worth pointing out for clarity that Charlie Appleby is willing to send his horses abroad, mostly to North America, in order to get the right conditions.
There, he can get the quick ground that so many good thoroughbreds need. The sort of ground Britain just cannot guarantee, especially while courses continue to unnecessarily water.
He trains for Godolphin and they are a major international organisation anyway. That gives him the opportunity to be more targeted.
This year, he started a satellite yard in the States but on Saturday night Appleby runs four horses in top-level races at Woodbine in Canada, some of them being his Newmarket-based runners.
As a punter you should remember that this particular meeting is one that Appleby has already excelled at. These events are also crucial as winning them offers a place at the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar in November, a meeting very consciously targeted successfully by Godolphin, Appleby and William Buick.
This team has won the last two Woodbine Miles with Modern Games and Master Of The Seas. This time, Naval Power is the early favourite to score again.
The Summer Stakes is for juvenile colts, won two years ago by Mysterious Night and before that by Albahr, all for the Appleby/Godolphin combo. Al Qudra is the representative this time.
The Natalma is another Grade 1, the fillies’ equivalent to the Summer Stakes, won by Appleby three years ago with Wild Beauty and in 2018 by La Pelosa. Mountain Breeze is this year’s representative.
Finally, the EP Taylor Stakes has Cinderella’s Dream as the early jolly to give the team a first win in this race, yet another Grade 1.
The Appleby team has a good chance at Doncaster with a maiden under Danny Tudhope, while they also hold strong claims in New York in a Grade 2. This however, is their main target. So, what chance all four winning?
Fab Four’s Chances
| Selection | Race | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain Breeze | Natalma Stakes | 8:25pm |
| Cinderella’s Dream | E P Taylor Stakes | 9:33pm |
| Al Qudra | Summer Stakes | 10:41pm |
| Naval Power | Woodbine Mile | 11:16pm |
Mountain Breeze could be odds-on for the Natalma. Fourth at Royal Ascot in the Albany, she has since run second at Group 2 and Group 3 level but will love it here. Her main rival Ready For Candy isn’t really at her level.
EP Taylor runner Cinderella’s Dream won in extraordinary fashion in Dubai before being well fancied for the 1000 Guineas. She has since won a Grade 1 and a Grade 2 in New York and will take some catching.
Al Qudra will be the biggest price of the bunch in the Summer Stakes. He’s drawn quite wide, but main rival New Century (Oisin Murphy) is wider still. Al Qudra was quietly fancied for the Coventry in June and has since won the Pat Eddery in good style.
Lastly, Naval Power goes in the Woodbine Mile. He is second choice behind Notable Speech for the Breeders’ Cup Mile it seems, but the team still holds him in high regard. Big Rock will be dangerous, but Naval Power has the ideal draw and has been narrowly beaten at Grade 1 level the last twice.
A lucky 15 on all four may well be a smart bet on Saturday night.