Juliette 's Weekly Frolic
Goodwood without newspapers has been in a strangely neglected position. Fortunately the majority of races are being televised but that will not prevent punters cursing all the 'good things' missed and while I can't be of much assistance for the rich midweek prizes, come he weekend and I will gladly put everyone on the road to ruin.
To commemorate their centenary the Exchange Telegraph have altered the title of their £10,000 race to the Extel Centenary Trophy, a ten-furlong handicap which specialises in pitting the near-classic three-year-olds against some of their more humble brethren. Last year, Spoiled Lad struck a blow for ' quality ' and this time Roy Bridge (L. Piggott), Meadow Mint (J. Lindley), Alonso (G. Lewis) and Donello (J. Mercer) make a formidable quartet at the top end of the handicap. Around the middle area, Esher Cup winner Dawn Review with the able assistance of the star apprentice, Robert Edmondson, and Warpath, who had the likes of Ronco and Oaks heroine Ginevra behind when winning the Newcastle Breweries race, merit serious consideration, while bottomweighted Christmas Post has won three of his last four races by a total of 17 lengths.
Still, after much lengthy deliberation the pin came to rest above the name of Buss. Considering she finished only half a length behind
'Guineas' winner Waterloo in the Falmouth Stakes and has since won a three-runner thousand-pounder at Sandown it must be sexual discrimination that sees her on the 8stone mark. I hope she takes advantage of It and beats the lot of them.
Jimdunn and Victoria Cup winner, Heave To, can fight out the finish Of the Albert Handicap but best bet of the day is the Murless-trained Whortleberry in the Surplice Stakes. Jeune Premier never quite lived up to the initial glamour of defeating Crowned Prince, while Holy Prince's tailing-off in Royal Ascot's King Edward VII's Stakes, did not do his reputation any good. However, Whortleberry, who receives 5Ib from this pair, has never been asked to live with the great and consequently boasts a far more encouraging record. He failed by a short head to catch Peaceful at Newmarket, and earlier scored an easy win at Sandown.
Saturday features another ' impossible ' handicap in the PTS Laurel Stakes, again over ten furlongs but this time for the older contingent. Top weight Knockroe appeared to have gone off the rails again in the Princess of Wales' Stakes and must be a handicapper's nightmare. Colum (8.12) after some splendid efforts in France, ran a creditable third in the Magnet Cup. Henry Cecil's Charladouce has not disgraced himself in the very top class, while both Cornuto (8.3) and Negus (7.11) have both carried 9st 21b to a third win in their last four starts. But if this race is to be solved by weight alone, there is only one answer — Royal Park. Under the burden of 9st he forced his nose in front at Ascot last 'Friday. Accustomed to performing the most Herculean tasks of 9st 121b weightlifting how can he fail with the feather of 8st 11lb? Assets: £111.90. Outlay £3 to win Royal Park Whortleberry and Buss (alt Dawn Review).
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