JULIETTE'S WEEKLY FROLIC
My predecessor, Captain Threadneedle, persuaded his long-suffering family to take me racing at York, so that I could see for myself how Major Petch has made that course the envy of the country. The delicious smell of Terry's bitter chocolate that seeps into the stands and newly-erected 'walkaway' as racing begins, he cannot claim credit for, but the unique and fascinating turf museum and charming rock garden commemorating the famous names of the Gimcrack, are all his own doing. The main stand with the thick carpets, sweeping staircase and solid walls of a noble private house is quite unlike any other racecourse building I have encountered.
But back in the South, at Sandown, a closelymatched field of top handicap/bottom classicclass fillies meet in Friday's Atlanta Stakes. Half-a-dozen have an .excellent chance and this could be the right race for Hill Circus. This winter female star of Murless's yard has proved disappointing, but seemed to find the distance too far in her only race this season and will appreciate the mile here. Biggest danger is consistent Hitesca, who gave the topgrade, Ndabibi a close race at Doncaster. On Saturday, the Curzon House Club Stakes looks the opportunity for Collector's Slip to return to the winning enclosure. Only 24 lengths behind Spoiled Lad at Goodwood, he had a bad run at Pontefract and had earlier shown good form against Knockroe and Crazy Rhythm, who both did so well at York. Back to Friday, and up to Chester, where Carmine City who ran well in Royal Ascot's Bessborough, but found the pace too hot in the Ebor, may be unable to concede 7Ib to recent winner, Afon Boy. Assets: £39.33. Outlay: £3 to win Collector's Skip, Afon Boy and Hill Circus (alt Hitesca).
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