Juliette's weekly frolic
But for Mon Fils's handsome face, devotees of this column would even now be wallowing in wealth on some foreign shore, having sagaciously doubled up The
Spectator-approved Mysterious and Noble Decree in last week's Guineas. As it is, my, and I hope , your, balance sheet is looking much healthier thanks to Mr Murless's flying filly and if the news that I personally backed the first .and third as well (Sharp Edge at 200-1) seems an irrelevant and irritating boast, I only mention it to increase public confidence in my genius with the crystal ball.
However, it seems a shame after last week's triumphs to let my profits rest below E100 — that infamous head made a difference of £38 — and to mark the great occasion I propose adding back what remains of the £20 deducted last November for the six to follow. I wish I could congratulate the team of their splendid performances, but am forced to admit that a more unfortunate and unobliging collection of quadrupeds would have been hard to find. One promptly broke down and wisely took up the less demanding duties of fatherhood, another was rarely off the sick list, a third never left his stable and it was probably as well that the remaining trio did so rarely, or there might not be the handy sum of £15 to fall back on. I somehow don't think 1 shall be embarking on a 'similar scheme this flat season. The Guineas are now history and we're already getting stuck into an 'expensive and frenzied fortnight of
Epsom trials. After midweek Chester, it's Lingfield in appleblossom time where the Ladbroke-sponsored Oaks and Derby trials will be run on Friday and Saturday respectively. Generally recognised as more reliable guides than most, it's a shame they couldn't have attracted stronger fields. Each has a hotpot
— Ksar (Derby) and Setsu (Oaks) — but whereas the former could be stretched by Duke of Ragusa and Natsun, the latter has no ladies of proven quality to fend off. Still, as I fancy myself in the role of long priced talent spotter, I'll take La Rochelle to unship Setsu. Considering the filly couldn't even be per, suaded to start for the Pretty Polly Stakes last Saturday, she's a risky choice, but ran fourth to Free Will in her only start as a juvenile and, if willing to race, could spring a surprise. A wiser selection may well be the aforementioned Duke of Ragusa. Bred both to stay and develop late, he far from disgraced himself in two top-class mile races — the Observer Gold Cup and Craven Stakes — and is certain to appreciate the 12 furlongs.
Lingfleld apart, the money's up North on Saturday for Ayr's UsherVaux Gold Tankard. Anak Malaysia started the year in a blaze of publicity, which he countered by running down the field in the Lincoln, the Newbury Spring Cup and the Victoria Cup. Now that the pressures are off he could well put matters right in the 'Brewery' race.
Assets £105.78. Outlay E3 to win Duke of Ragusa, Anak Malaysia and La Rochelle.
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