Racing Report Card: A Mark Johnston horse on the up, the ride of the day at Wolverhampton and a horse to take on next time
NOT everyday can be a headline-grabbing one, and the racing was as run of the mill as you’d expect for a Monday.
But there was enough action to keep ticking over and we’ve picked out some of the moments that may have escaped your notice.
A horse on the up
Bayshore Freeway – 3.35 Musselburgh
Hands up, I got this race completely wrong. The money came for Mark Johnston’s improving filly and it showed.
Kept up to work throughout, she didn’t get an easy time of things up top but still battled well to win this and saw of some seasoned handicappers rated in the 90s.
From nowhere, this filly looks to be a player in some decent staying handicaps on decent ground. Another hardy horse for Mark Johnston to go to war with through the summer.
Ride of the day
Magical Molly Joe – 2.20 Wolverhampton (Jane Elliott)
Wolverhampton is not a track you want to get caught out wide on, nor miles out the back.
But young Jane Elliott found herself wide and out the back. Yet, she kept calm and took her time to find the right line on a horse that was clearly going well.
The pair flew home to get up on the line and she deservedly got plenty of praise.
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Horse to take on next time
Cape Victory – 2.00 Musselburgh
James Tate’s three-year-old colt finally got off the mark at the third time of asking. But, it was far from plain sailing.
He looks a real tricky customer and carries his head at angles you only see on the dancefloor come 3am on a Saturday.
Also, I’m not sure he beat much here at Musselburgh. Only six runners, very little got into it.
He’ll get a mark now, and I’m keen to take him on. In the Saeed Manana colours he’ll be typically over bet and the hustle and bustle of a handicap may be too much too soon.