Chasing Dreams Shines on Debut at Newmarket for Godolphin

Sure, it's early season. 

We have just tripped over the other side of March. 

The Brocklesby Stakes has come and gone. The two-year-olds are coming thick and fast. Archie Watson has dazzled the likes of Mark Johnson with four debut winners in twelve days. Nothing stands still. Trainers, let alone horses, smirk at the grass growing under their feet. Winners, they look so effortless, but you talk to the owners of those who fill the places in behind. A dream left slightly tattered and torn. When you hope your horse disappointed to cling onto the vain hope it has ability. Don't despair, even the best horses lose. 

Sometimes.  

The small trainers make hay while the sun shines on even a cloudy afternoon at Pontefract as Yorkshire folk talk of the history of the great and the good. 

For years I thought a Pontefract cake was some kind of exotic pastry... 

While the big guns keep their powder dry a small child chews on a small circular sweet made of liquorice. 

Victory is often sweeter than butterscotch Angel Delight...

Charlie Appebly hasn't felt the cold of a winter breeze for many a year. Winners come 'easy' when you train horses whose blood is as blue as the colour of the silks you wear. 

Newmarket 16th April. 

The first two-year-old of the season for Godolphin, racing at headquarters. Chasing Dreams knows the time of day. A race that takes just over one minute, a fraction after ten past four. This chestnut filly, a daughter of Starspangledbanner out of a winning mare (A Huge Dream). One thing that all racegoers couldn't miss was Chasing Dream's price tag. You know you can buy a lot of yearlings for 750,000 guineas. But would you swap them for Chasing Dream's after she trotted up at Newmarket, winning a five-furlong sprint in a less taxing manner than shown on the gallops at home? 

Yes, she was expected to win. Bookies didn't chalk up odds of 4/9f for fun. More in fear of a small field and limited opposition, to a point. I'm sure Appleby applied the hood so she wouldn't hear the cheering crowd because he doesn't want her to get a big head and struggle to get through the stable door. 

What's the betting Chasing Dreams lines up at Royal Ascot? 

As always, only time will tell.

The Charlie Appleby trained Chasing Dreams, who cost 750,000 guineas as a yearling, makes her debut a winning one @NewmarketRace to set up Queen Mary tilt at Royal Ascot pic.twitter.com/AQ1bUxmqNk

— Graham Clark (@GrahamClark85) April 16, 2019

5:45 Newcastle 2YO Racing Tips (10th November)

A Novice Auction Stakes over 7f 14y on Standard going. 

Nine two-year-olds take part, all with racecourse experience. This Class 6 race features a couple of winners including Harbour Vision & Bungee Jump. Both have to shoulder a win penalty and achieved an official rating of 75. That sets a fair level for this restricted race type. 

Blue Harmony, Swiss Marlin & Laharna are unlikely to figure.  

Maricruz is the sole Irish-raider from John C McConnell who trains at Stamullen, Co Meath. In the ownership of Rockview Racing Club, this daughter of Most Improved showed promise when running on to finish sixth at Dundalk at odds of 66/1. Worthy of respect. 

Yamuna River is another horse from a talented trainer in James Tate. Racing in the familiar silks of Saeed Manana, this daughter of Foxwedge hasn't been seen for over 100 days. Could hold each-way claims if priced 13/2 & less SP.  

James Fanshawe is concluding this juvenile season with some verve and Destinata is worthy of closer inspection. 

Ths bay  Irish-bred filly is a daughter of Canford Cliffs and a cheap yearling purchase at 11,000G. This February foal made her debut in early October at Kempton when a fifth of thirteen behind Lady oF Aran. Priced 33-1 that day, race comments read: 

''Held up in 8th from wide draw, pushed along 2f out, kept on encouraging from over 1f out''.  

It was a respectable debut. As with many of Fanshawe's juveniles, they are much more likely to win on their second start. From a statistical point of view, this horse has very good win claims. However, priced at 11/8, I would rather take a watching brief unless drifting markedly in the betting.