For the fourth month on the spin, we have had a negative day on the opening day of the month. I appreciate that one swallow does not a summer make, but at the same time its annoying to be on the back foot after Day 1.

Perth in July can throw some strange results a combination of fastening ground and competitive racing, meaning  that fancied horses can be well turned over.

The raiding Irish runners have been the story of the week, here in the UK and last night was no exception with another one, Ian Ferguson’s Posh Lady rewarding backers with a victory by half a length.

It felt very much like we were on the wrong end of a coup as the horse was stepped up markedly in trip and this was a well handicapped horse obviously.Connections it would appear had this race in mind for some time as the horse was given a spin around Downpatrick last time out and while well beaten was not knocked about.

That tender handling was exploited by Denis O’Regan and he totally had his mount at the right place at the right time, to score in a workmanlife fashion.

Back to the drawing board,

All the best,

Don

So the first half of the year drew to a sleepy conclusion with the end of the month at Stratford. A fantastic course, the track hosts a meeting on the day prior to the Cheltenham Festival which is as busy as the place gets all season.

Last night we had a monster Irish gamble in the guise of King Keano landed - 51.0 - 2.35 and the same trainer followed up with a 10/1 shot later in the evening. That’s a proper coup.

The Donkey had an impeccable record, until thwarted by Keepitsecret in the safest of hands, Tony McCoy. This horse’s rivals were in a different parish to him at the line and he outclassed them, cantering toward the line unchallenged. One may have thought, that this inconsistent performer, may just have thrown a bad one and at around 2.4 was worth taking on. However, his major market rivals ran too badly to be true and his task was made facile.

Now we look to Saturday and the Eclipse, at wround 11/10 Sea The Stars in begging to be laid. All of the last four Epsom Derby winners, who have attempted to add the Eclipse have been turned over. The ground so crucial to this horse’s particpation, could well be heavily affected by the heavy showers that are forecast for Friday.

In short the horse is a 6/4 chance just to show up, never mind the odds involved in taking on some fantastic older horses, which is the best race of the season so far.

Siberian Tiger in the 4.50 at Perth is one to be wary of.

All the best,

Don