tracked leaders, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened well over 2f out, tailed off
held up, chased leaders over 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
with leader, led over 5f out, drew clear from over 1f out
led, headed over 5f out, every chance over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
in rear, pushed along and outpaced 5f out, switched left inside final furlong, stayed to take 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
Mark Johnston's HAJAR came up against a classy couple on debut, and ran a little green, but given the yard's form he's entitled to come on for that run, and is taken to get the better of Black River Falls and Born To Perform. Closely related to a number of winners, if the expected improvement comes, that may be enough to win this. Alan Swinbank's Born To Perform won a couple of bumpers in his first couple of outings, but couldn't replicate that when dropped in trip on the flat. Black Rivers Falls looks the pick of the in-form two runners for Ian Semple, with Real Desire his other runner. Both have had a couple of outings to date, but a big improvement would be needed to land this from what we've seen to date. Real Desire was well behind Born To Perform last time out. Support for any in the market should be noted, but in a fairly trappy maiden, we think victory can go to Hajar.
Born To Perform 9-2 (9-13) Tracked leaders, lost place over 2f out, soon ridden and beaten, 8th of 13, 14l behind Racing Hero (8-12) at Doncaster 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gd.
Piccolo Pride 40-1 (8-5) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, never a factor, 6th of 7, 19l behind Atephobia (9-3) at Lingfield 6f 3yo sell stks (6) pol in Jan '08.
Black River Falls (USA) 8-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 21l behind Hillview Boy (9-13) at Hamilton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) gd in May.
Hajar (USA) 4-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 5, 1l behind Veroon (9-3) at Ripon 1m 3yo mdn (5) gf.
King's Counsel (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, weakened 2f out, 15th of 20, 23l behind Bounty Reef (8-10) at Redcar 1m 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Sep.
Real Desire 100-1 (8-12) Mid-division, lost place 4f out, soon beaten, 10th of 13, 16l behind Racing Hero (8-12) at Doncaster 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gd.
Oriental Gem (USA) Orientate filly out of Vanessa's Gem.
Moon Money (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Mid-division, effort on outside 3f out to over 2f out, soon ridden and one pace, 6th of 13, 11l behind Racing Hero (8-12) at Doncaster 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gd.