Racecards
15:15 Newcastle
Weatherbys Insurance Maiden Stakes (div 2) (Class 5)
- 12 Runners
- Distance: 7f
- Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- £5,500 added
Al Shemali
36- Age 2
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer Sir Michael Stoute
- Jockey R Winston
held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on final furlong
Cadwell
19- Form 04
- Age 2
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer D Nicholls
- Jockey Adrian Nicholls
in touch, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
Currahee
18- Age 2
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer Miss J A Camacho
- Jockey D Allan
towards rear, pushed along halfway, effort over 2f out, no impression
- Age 2
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer S bin Suroor
- Jockey Willie Supple
held up, headway 2f out, driven over 1f out, chased winner final furlong
- Age 2
- Weight 9-0
prominent, pushed along halfway, driven 2f out, one pace final furlong
- Age 2
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey R Ffrench
mid-division, effort over 2f out, never reached challenging position
- Form 60
- Age 2
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer T D Barron
- Jockey P Makin
in touch, driven over 2f out, had every chance over 1f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
- Form 07
- Age 2
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer J & S Quinn
- Jockey Graham Gibbons
towards rear, never dangerous
- Form 4
- Age 2
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer W G Harrison
- Jockey D Fentiman
led, headed over 3f out, driven over 2f out, soon beaten
Watch Out
29- Form U28
- Age 2
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer M & D Easterby
- Jockey P Mulrennan
chased leaders to halfway
Verdict
Gemology can make a winning start, with Al Shemali, Marriaj, Moral Fibre and Sagredo others to conjure with. The southern raiders will all have support of a kind here, and the pin comes down on Gemology, another juvenile off the never-ending Godolphin production line. This son of South African sire Horse Chestnut was down to run at Newmarket on Thursday, but this looks the easier option for the Vodafone Derby entry who by all accounts has been striding out well on the Long Hill gallops at home. Al Shemali has been kept busy on the Racecourse Side since finishing down the field on his Warwick debut a month, and being a half-brother to stayer Tungsten Strike, he will be one to note next year. Marriaj, a son of Giant's Causeway, could be anything, while Moral Fibre and Sagredo have both had a run. The latter could turn out to be a typical second-season handicap blot next year so is one to bear in mind for then, but for now we shall rely on Gemology.
Formwatch
Al Shemali 14-1 (9-0) Dwelt, in rear when bumped over 5f out, never dangerous, 10th of 14, 10l behind Artimino (9-0) at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Sept.
Cadwell 66-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 10l behind Ommraan (9-3) at Pontefract 1m 2yo mdn (4) gf in Sept.
Gemology (USA) Horse Chestnut colt, half-brother to 5f-1m winner Lady d'Or.
Gyration (IRE) Spinning World colt out of a lightly-raced mare.
Marriaj (USA) Giant's Causeway colt, half-brother to winners up to 1m1f.
Moral Fibre (IRE) 11-1 (9-3) In touch until outpaced halfway, 10th of 15, 22l behind Chief Operator (9-3) at Newcastle 6f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Sept.
Pietersen (IRE) 18-1 (9-3) Raced far side, soon outpaced, 14th of 17, 11l behind Vital Equine (9-3) at Newcastle 6f 2yo mdn aut (6) gd in May.
Warm Tribute (USA) 66-1 (8-12) Dwelt, outpaced in rear, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 9, 3l behind The Nifty Fox (9-3) at Catterick 5f 2yo mdn (5) gd.