The world is unevenly divided between those who read Raceweb and those who do not. One hopes that those who do read Raceweb might also have an online account, which affords them the ability to have a £1 each-way bet or even £2 to win on our selections. Those who don’t read our thoughts, or who don’t back our suggestions with their children’s pocket money, will have missed one of Saturday’s suggestions that STAR OF EMARAATY might offer some value. The horse won The Sweet Solera for trainer Kevin Ryan, ridden by Kevin Stott at 66/1.
As Muhammed Ali once said: “It’s not bragging if you can back it up.”
Still and all… 66/1… Kick on
GOLF
As I suggested yesterday, The two-day leader Haotong Li had a small implosion and another of our runners Dustin Johnson, took full advantage and scored a magnificent 65 to go 9 under. Koepka continues to haunt my team, Jason Day dropped a stroke but remained in contention and Xander Schauffele also remains a player just 4 off the lead. Sunday is going to be ferocious, but I am confident we will pick up some winnings.
FORMULA 1
A number of collisions are expected soon in the politics of Formula 1, and most of the skids are going to start in the Mercedes garage. In brief:
- Mercedes is owned by Daimler – The team is run by Toto Wolff
- Wolff is also the representative of Valtteri Bottas and George Russell.
- Wolff also has shares in Racing Point and Williams, the client teams of Mercedes.
- Daimler has just changed their CEO from Toto “wing-man” Dieter Zetsche to Ola Källenius.
- Daimler aka OK is getting strident in wanting Toto to pull back from having such in-depth influence in F1 – when his job is to devote himself to Daimler.
- Wolff’s contract with Mercedes expires after this season.
- Toto might go to Racing Point to run their F1 team
- Racing Point has just been fined €400,000 and deducted 15 world championship points for illegally ‘copying’ Mercedes parts.
- FIA stewards reported that Mercedes had handed over technical info to RP in January this year, a few days after it became illegal to do so.
- Five other teams are now having a pop at Racing Point in order to [a] increase RP’s punishment and [b] drag Mercedes into the limelight.
- Simultaneously, Toto is trying to wriggle around the Conflict-of-Interest small print in the various agreements between F1 teams and F1 owner Liberty – in order to run Liberty and thus F1.
- Lewis hasn’t signed a new Mercedes contract yet, because, and I might be misquoting him, “…it isn’t the right time to start negotiating multi-million contracts when so many Monogasques are in lock-down and are excluded from flying their helicopters wherever they like. I shall be once again taking the knee to show my solidarity.”
- Bottas has signed.
- Daimler is also getting very fed up with Lewis and his posturing on the subject of slavery – an “employment” practice which effectively ensured Daimler survived the war in pretty decent shape.
- Vettel has no team – but is still considered a great driver when motivated. He may yet come into play as a stop-gap solution when Lewis moves.
Biggest Lay of the weekend Lewis Hamilton who is 1.25 to win the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix. In other words, you’re getting 1-4 he won’t win.
LEWIS HAMILTON LAY 2pts to Lose (profit after commission would be 5.6 pts)
RACING
I mentioned a couple of posts back. some stats I run on racing at Windsor. They race there today, and in the 1:00 Mick Channon is running ILLYKATO. If he is favourite – back him.
13:00 WINDSOR ILLYKATO wins
1:40 SALISBURY Mildren Construction Wateraid Conditions Stakes Cl2 (3yo+) 7f 4 runners
The market has it right and Andrew Balding’s HAPPY POWER should win. The Dark Angel colt was 4th behind Space Blues at Haydock then 2nd to Limato and then 4th to D’Bai LTO. Theoretically, this string of losses is the best form on view. The forecast is with ANNA NERIUM.
HAPPY POWER win – ½pt RFC with ANNA NERIUM
1:55 THIRSK williamhill.com Best Odds Guaranteed H’cap Cl3 (3yo+ 0-95) 5f 8 runners
INDIAN SOUNDS has won his last two with some ease, but he is still only on a mark or 79 – several pounds below earlier career ratings. If AUTUMN FLIGHT is given an easy, early lead he might well prove to be ahead of his current rating as he was spotted at York two weeks ago, running with zest at the front and came out on top of those that raced towards the far side.
INDIAN SOUNDS win AUTUMN FLIGHT e/w
2:15 SALISBURY AJN Steelstock / Pam Bruford Memorial H’cap Cl2 (3yo+ 0-105) 5f 7 runners
TONE THE BARONE has won 4 of his 5 starts since his wind-op surgery and looks increasingly useful.
TONE THE BARONE wins
2:30 THIRSK William Hill Extra Places Every Day H’cap Cl3 (3yo+ 0-95) 6f 10 runners
INTRINSIC BOND wins – ROYAL PROSPECT e/w
2:50 SALISBURY AJN Steelstock Steel Processors British EBF Fillies’ H’cap Cl3 (3yo+ 0-95) 1m 4 runners
Roger Varian had a four-timer yesterday and continue his splendid weekend by winning this.
SALAYEL wins
3:10 CURRAGH Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (G1) (2yo) 6f 10 runners
STEEL BULL wins LAW OF INDICES e/w
3:25 SALISBURY AJN Steelstock Sovereign Stakes (G3) (Colts & Geldings) Cl1 (3yo+) 1m 8 runners
MOTAKHAYYEL is I feel still progressing and so far this season he has won the Buckingham Palace Stakes, then improved again 2nd to Sir Busker in the 17-runner Bunbury Cup at Newmarket LTO – actually leading 2f out, to frighten several of Sir Busker’s backers!
MOTAKHAYYEL wins
3:40 CURRAGH Rathasker Stud Phoenix Sprint Stakes (G3) (3yo+) 6f 10 runners
MILLISLE wins – FOREVER IN DREAMS e/w