A Grand Day Out on the Fibresand
Well now, what a lovely afternoon's entertainment Southwell served up on this Tuesday! Seven races of varying quality, but by Jesus, there was more substance here than you'd find in many a Grade 1 card. The fibresand was riding fair and true after that cultivation work, and the jockeys were getting proper tune out of their mounts from the off.
The feature race - that Class 3 fillies' novice at 15:30 - was the jewel in the crown, but don't be fooled into thinking the supporting cast were just making up the numbers. There's always gold to be found in these midweek affairs if you know where to look, and today was no different.
Society Kiss Shows Her Class
The Book The Bistro In Sherwood Restaurant Fillies' Novice Stakes was the race that had me sitting forward in my chair, and rightly so. Society Kiss, rated 86 and partnered by Jack Doughty, was the class act in this field, and you'd have been brave to oppose her on these terms.
But here's the thing - it's not always about backing the favourite in these affairs. Dance of Angels caught my eye in the preliminaries, and any filly making her debut for connections willing to pitch her straight into a Class 3 contest deserves respect. Nicola Currie in the saddle was another positive, and I'd not be surprised if this one runs a big race at decent odds.
Magic Lady Mae and Queen Sana, both rated 67, brought solid form to the table, but in fillies' races at this level, it's often about potential rather than past achievements. The market usually tells the story, but keep an eye on how these newcomers handle the track - Southwell can be a leveller, and it can also be a launching pad.
The Handicap Hunters
Now, if you're looking for horses to follow - and you should be - then cast your eye over that 16:05 handicap over a mile and four. Shaffron, rated 63 and ridden by Jason Hart, looked well-treated off that mark. Hart's been riding with real confidence lately, and when he gets on one for the right connections, you take notice.
But the one that really tickled my fancy was Spec of Light with Gina Mangan aboard. Course winner, rated 61, and dropping back in trip from some longer efforts. Sometimes the best bets are hiding in plain sight, and this mare has the profile of a horse ready to strike when the handicapper gives her half a chance.
Eagles Whistle is another to keep on the right side of. Lewis Edmunds takes the ride, and this horse has been knocking on the door in better company. The step back down to Class 6 level could be just what the doctor ordered.
The Marathon Men
That two-mile affair at 16:35 was a proper test of stamina, and Charlie Darling with Sean Kirrane looked the most likely to see out the trip in style. But Payment Plan, a course and distance winner with David Probert up, had the experience edge that often counts for plenty at this level.
Different Drum was the interesting runner for me though - a horse that's shown glimpses of ability but hasn't quite put it all together yet. Paul Mulrennan knows his way around Southwell better than most, and this looked like the sort of race where a good ride could make all the difference.
Jockey Watch and Trainer Angles
Speaking of jockeys, it was a day where experience counted for plenty. Jason Hart had three rides on the card, and when a jockey of his calibre is putting in that sort of shift at Southwell, you know the connections are serious about getting results.
David Probert was another having a busy day, and his mount Cill Mocheallog in the finale looked particularly interesting. Course and distance winner, rated 66, and Probert's 7lb claim still counting - that's a combination that's won plenty of races at this level.
The trainer angles were fascinating too. When you see the same yards sending multiple runners to a midweek Southwell card, it usually means they've got their string in good order and are looking to capitalize on some well-handicapped horses.
Looking Ahead: Where Next for the Stars?
The beauty of a card like this is that it often throws up the winners of next month's better races. That fillies' novice in particular could produce a few who'll be winning Listed races before the season's out.
Society Kiss, if she performs as expected, will be straight into Pattern company, but it's the second and third home that often provide the best value going forward. These fillies learn fast, and a good experience at Southwell can set them up perfectly for the summer campaigns.
From the handicaps, any horse that runs well today will be straight back into the entries for the better all-weather prizes. The Lincoln meeting at Doncaster isn't that far away, and these Southwell graduates often pop up at rewarding prices when they step back up in class.
The Verdict
A grand day's racing that reminded us why these midweek cards are the lifeblood of the sport. Sure, it wasn't the Guineas, but there was honest competition, progressive horses, and plenty of angles to work with going forward.
The ones to follow? Society Kiss if she wins, Dance of Angels if she runs well, Spec of Light from the staying handicap, and keep a close eye on anything that Jason Hart or David Probert partner with confidence. These Tuesday afternoons at Southwell might not grab the headlines, but they often provide the winners that do.
As I always say, racing's like a good pint of Guinness - the best stuff often comes from the most unexpected places. Today's Southwell card was proof positive of that wisdom.
