The Coral Charge, registered as the
Sprint Stakes and run over 5 furlongs at Sandown, has produced three
winning favourites and just one winner at a double-figure price in
the last ten years. However, with two strongly fancied contenders,
Waady and Mecca’s Angel, at the head of the betting for this year’s
renewal, we think there’s some room for manoeuvre further down the
list.
Son Of Africa (20/1) is
officially the lowest rated horse in the field, but recorded a
career-best effort when beating Union Rose by 3 lengths in the
Diamond Dash Handicap at Newmarket two weeks ago, despite being
denied a clear run in the closing stages. The previous week, Union
Rose had finished sixth of nine, beaten 6¾ lengths, behind Waady in
the Listed Scurry Stakes over course and distance so, if the form is
taken literally, Son Of Africa has over 6 lengths to find with John
Gosden’s charge.
However, it’s reasonable to assume
that Union Rose improved for his seasonal appearance in the Scurry
Stakes, his first run since last September, and Son Of Africa was
attempting the minimum trip for the first time in his career at
Newmarket. His juvenile form over 6 furlongs was far from shabby –
he beat last Saturday’s Criterion Stakes winner Markab by half a
length, in receipt of just 2lb, in a nursery at Goodwood last August
– but 5 furlongs could be the making of him.
Harry Bentley, who rode him at
Newmarket, stated afterwards that the son of King’s Stand Stakes
winner Equiano relished the drop back in distance and that a step up
in class would be perfectly justified. Veteran trainer Henry Candy
has achieved his best results in recent years with highly talented
sprinters, including Airwave, Markab, Music Master and, of course,
Limato, to name but a few, so it’s interesting that he’s decided
to bypass Heritage Handicaps and Listed Races and go straight for a
Group race with Son of Africa.
Dutch Masterpiece (66/1) is in
danger of becoming the proverbial “forgotten” horse, having been
restricted to just three runs in the last two seasons. However, it
wasn’t that long ago that he was winning the Group 3 Flying Five
Stakes at the Curragh and on his way to contest the Group 1 Prix de
l’Abbaye de Longchamp. The Dutch Art gelding has clearly had his
problems and his two starts this season have done little to inspire
confidence in him, but connections deserve credit for their
perseverance and, if anywhere near his best, he could give all of
these a fright. Someone at Bet365 is frightened; the firm is offering
just 25/1, half the price of anyone else!
Anyway, for richer for poorer – and
we know which side our bread’s buttered, thank you – our two for
a spot of wild speculation this week are Son Of Africa (20/1
with William Hill) and Dutch Masterpiece (66/1 with William
Hill). You can even back ‘em each-way if you like! Good
luck!!