Phoenix Stakes Weekend - Race Overview & Tips
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| Bucanero Fuerte & Unquestionable |
The Phoenix Stakes: Railway Rematch ๐
Saturday's main race on the card at Curragh is the 4:40pm Group 1 Phoenix Stakes over 6f. The market is topped by both Buncanero Fuerte for the AMO racing team & Questionable from the Ballydoyle Battalion.
The 7 stand their ground which doesn't leave much appeal for any each-way angles.
Let's take a look at when the 2 market leaders last did battle:
What a start to Irish Derby Day! Bucanero Fuerte just edges out Unquestionable at the line. @Rossaryan1 taking the win for @AMurrayRacing pic.twitter.com/0Z3kzEwT7j
— The Curragh Racecourse (@curraghrace) July 2, 2023
Okay so let's have a look at the rematch.
BUCANERO FUERTE has shown his prowess at this course, unbeaten in 2 with a C&D victory in the Railway Stakes. 1L behind RIVER TIBER at Ascot. He showcases the best form in this race.
QUESTIONABLE's Railway Stakes performance was equally strong, just losing by a short head to BUCANERO FUERTE. Given Aidan O'Brien's record of 17 wins in this race, he's a strong contender.
PORTA FUNTUNA brings Royal Ascot form to the table, winning the Albany, which has already thrown up 2 winners. Her unbeaten record, though promising, might face a challenge in this competitive field.
GIVEMETHEBEATBOYS has closely matched form with BUCANERO FUERTE, hinting at potential improvement, he was less than a length behind him at Ascot. This factor adds an intriguing dimension to his candidacy.
HIS MAJESTY's exposure and past finishes behind some of the contenders may hinder his chances in this race.
GAENARI, though needing to find extra on ratings, holds interest as a pace angle, especially if rain materializes, considering her form on soft ground and her trainer's recent 20/1 winner at Goodwood last week.
LAUNCH, despite being winless in six starts, seems like a pacemaker for BUCANERO FUERTE rather than a likely winner in this competitive lineup.
Conclusion:
This is wide open & I think the most likely winner is between the same pair that battled it out in the Railway Stakes. Despite Aidan's great record in the race I'll be backing BUCANERO FUERTE to uphold the form & I think any rain that does fall will only benefit him further.
BUCANERO FUERTE to win at 5/2.
The NAP, NB & Longshot
NAP (Best Bet) ๐
Haydock 3.00pm: Rose of Lancaster Stakes (Group 3)
After a Newmarket win on her 2nd last season, MIDNIGHT MILE has stood out to me. Stepping up to 1m2f seemed logical given her impressive Breeders' Cup 4th over 1m last term, staying on strongly.
Her first outing this year saw her finishing 4 lengths behind eventual Oaks winner SOUL SISTER, showcasing solid form. A 1m4f attempt at Ascot didn't suit, but her recent return to 1m2f on good to soft ground at York revealed her true potential, pulling away from the field and winning comfortably.
๐Midnight Mile ๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ
— Aydฤฑn Stud (@aydin_stud) July 28, 2023
(No Nay Never ๐บ๐ธ - Ruby Tuesday ๐จ๐ฎ, by Galileo ๐จ๐ฎ)
๐ Lyric Fillies’ Stakes
๐ฌ๐ง York#York #UnitedKingdom #ScatDaddy #Galileo #Darshaan #Caro pic.twitter.com/sgiDnd2VgB
Carrying 11lbs less than the rest of the field, along with a possible affinity for softer ground, makes MIDNIGHT MILE a bet for me in this race.
MIDNIGHT MILE to win at 7/1.
NB (Next Best) ๐ค
Curragh 1.40pm: Maiden
This promises to be one of the most Intriguing Maidens I've seen this year.
I have it between the 2 Aidan O'Brien newcomers so let's take a look at them:
DIEGO VELAQUEZ might lead the betting with Ryan Moore possibly on board. Sired by FRANKEL, GALILEO's best progeny and Europe's leading sire, out of SWEEPSTAKE, he boasts a pedigree that hints at G1 and classics aspirations for next year.
BROOM and POINT LONSDALE, both Group winners for Aidan, emerged from the AUSTRALIA (another GALILEO son) and SWEEPSTAKE cross, winning their debut races at the Curragh. The belief is that the FRANKEL x SWEEPSTAKE pairing will produce even stronger performers.
Currently 4th in the 2000 Guineas odds without a single race to his name, DIEGO VELAQUEZ's 2.4 million Guineas price tag underlines substantial expectations.
OLD FAITHFUL, the stables 2nd string, inherits SIYOUNI and GALILEO genetics, a successful pairing responsible for G1 champions like ST. MARKS BASILICA and Arc winner, SOTTSASS.
SIYOUNI, Europe's second-ranked sire, notably sired this season's star, PADDINGTON, unbeaten in 6 races, winning 4 G1s. The master of Ballydoyle will be hopeful he has another good son of SIYOUNI on his hands.
With high hopes for DIEGO VELAQUEZ's untested potential, he's the probable favourite, while OLD FAITHFUL's proven cross could be the better option at the prices.
OLD FAITHFUL win at SP. (I expect him to be around 4 or 3/1 2nd fav).
Longshot ๐
No Longshot this weekend.
The Bets ๐
Curragh 4.40pm: BUCANERO FUERTE to win 5/2. (Main Event Preview)
Haydock 3.00pm: MIDNIGHT MILE to win at 7/1. (NAP)
Curragh 1.40pm: OLD FAITHFUL win at SP. (NB)
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