Goodwood betting: Dancing Star all set to give punters a magical memory
Just a quick glance at Saturday's Qatar Stewards’ Cup (3.45pm) field is enough to understand why many compare it to a cavalry charge.
With 28 going to post, the six furlong handicap is one of the highlights of the final day and I fancy DANCING STAR to continue her unbelievable progress this season.
Andrew Balding’s entry has won three of her last four races, including the Heritage Handicap at Newmarket earlier this month.
That is a race won in 2015 by Magical Memory, who went on to win the Steward’s Cup under Frankie Dettori.
This daughter of Aqlaam also boasts course and distance form following a victory here in June and the 6/1 with Betway is more than tempting.
The Balding yard is among the winners, with Perfect Angel coming home in front in the Maiden Fillies’ Stakes on Wednesday, and Dancing Star looks sure to make a bold bid here.
It’s a wide open race and many have chances, including Orion’s Bow, who has rattled off five successive wins and is bound to be popular in the market for trainer Dandy Nicholls.
However, the quicker ground is enough to put me off and I’ll instead be having a saver on Richard Fahey’s GROWL, who is currently around the 14/1 mark with Coral.
Growl was bidding for a hat-trick when lining up in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket at the beginning of the month but could only finish fourth.
That was an impressive run, though, having only been beaten around a length, and he is sure to appreciate the drop in trip.
Horses that missed out on the Qatar Stewards’ Cup have the chance to show their stuff earlier on the card in the Stewards’ Sprint Stakes (2.00pm).
SEEKING MAGIC won it back in 2013 for trainer Clive Cox and I expect him to go very close again here.
The eight-year-old has been knocking on the door this season and can be forgiven for a poor run at Epsom last month.
Before that he finished just half a length back in second behind Englishman at Newmarket and improved on that run next time out at Goodwood in May.
He was first past the post in that race but was later controversially demoted to third after being judged to have carried a handful of his opponents across the track.
The Cox yard decided against appealing the decision despite widespread disagreement from racing journalists and connections could get back to winning ways here.
Hoof It could roll back the years and prove best of the rest at a big price.
Pointers
Seeking Magic e/w, 2.00pm Goodwood
Dancing Star e/w, 3.45pm Goodwood
Growl e/w, 3.45pm Goodwood