Heavy Metal can extend Johnston’s strong record in the Betfred Mile
BILL ESDAILE PREVIEWS THE LAST TWO DAYS OF GLORIOUS GOODWOOD
MARK JOHNSTON is enjoying a good week at Glorious Goodwood and the trainer has excellent chances of adding two more big prizes to his haul today.
The Scottish handler has won the Betfred Mile (3.05pm) three times in the last five years and his HEAVY METAL can make a bold bid to add the £80,925 first prize to the £93,375 he scooped for winning the Victoria Cup at Ascot last Saturday.
The four-year-old lost his way after winning the Richmond Stakes here as a juvenile, but has won three of his last four starts and arrives on a hat-trick. Rated as high as 110 in his prime, he runs off 97 today and can prove he is well-handicapped by going well for Joe Fanning. Sniff out some of the 10/1 available and Unibet will price boost every horse in the show in this race.
MUTEELA maintained her unbeaten record in gritty fashion at Royal Ascot and is a strong fancy to make it five wins out of five starts for the Johnston and Fanning combination in the 4.50pm.
Her trainer has already said the filly is his strongest fancy of the week and it looks like she has Evita Peron to beat. However, the selection is uncomplicated, travels strongly and should be able to run the sting out of this field. Take the 7/2 with Unibet.
Bryan Smart saddled MOVIESTA to win the 2013 King George Stakes (3.40pm) and a repeat win looks on the cards for the Harry Redknapp-owned horse.
The gelding ran a cracker on his reappearance at Newmarket but has floundered when upped to six furlongs on softish ground the last twice. Back on a firmer surface, and with question marks around those at the head of the market, Moviesta looks worth backing at 7/1 with Unibet. The race fell into Extortionist’s lap at Sandown last time and this is Tropics’ first go over the minimum trip.
AMAZING MARIA is a big price at 8/1 for tomorrow’s Nassau Stakes (3.15pm) when you consider the favourite Venus De Milo is a 1m 4f horse who hasn’t the speed to go 10 furlongs, as we saw at The Curragh last time when Thistle Bird outpaced her in the dash for the line.
Mango Diva has been beaten in lesser races than this and seems to run best over nine furlongs anyway.
Amazing Maria was quietly fancied by some for the 1000 Guineas but missed it with a setback. She didn’t stay in the Oaks and, back down in trip at a venue she has won both her starts, expect a good performance.
The 32Red Stewards’ Cup (3.50pm) is one of the finest sprint handicaps of the season and the week’s big betting contest. Richard Fahey has taken this just once, back in 1998, and the trainer runs two this year with ALBEN STAR having decent prospects under the very useful George Chaloner, who takes off 3lb.
Alben Star is a veteran of all these big handicaps and was desperately unlucky not to win a nice prize in Ireland last time off a huge weight, when badly hampered. Provided he gets luck-in-running, the Clodovil gelding can go close at around 14/1.
Unibet is enhancing the show price of all Richard Hughes and Ryan Moore’s mounts today and tomorrow so if you fancy one of theirs, take advantage of the better odds.
Connections have waited for better ground for SATELLITE (2.40pm) and their patience should be rewarded. This one was a head second to Roseburg, who was rated 102 when running well enough in a competitive handicap here yesterday.
This lightly-raced colt could be ahead of his mark.
Pointers…
HEAVY METAL e/w 3.05pm Goodwood (today)
MOVIESTA e/w 3.40pm Goodwood (today)
MUTEELA 4.50pm Goodwood (today)
SATELLITE 2.40pm Goodwood (tomorrow)
AMAZING MARIA e/w 3.15pm Goodwood (tomorrow)
ALBEN STAR e/w 3.50pm Goodwood (tomorrow)