Fairyhouse Racecourse – Wednesday 12th
Racing gets underway at 4:50 at Fairyhouse on Wednesday with the feature race, the Group 3 Brownstown Stakes, due to start at 6:50. We will come to the feature race later, but our team of expert tipsters have found a total of 3 selections on Wednesdays card, starting with a strong fancy in the second race at 5:20.
5:20 Fairyhouse Summer BBQ Rated Race
White Caviar
Several of these are wrong at the weights and so it seems to best to focus on the runners at the top of the race card. If Dalton Highway could return to the level of form that he showed in 2021 then he would win this easily, but the fact is that after missing all of 2022, he has yet to beat a rival in 2 starts this season. Connections are persisting with him, presumably as they feel he will eventually return to some sort of form, but it isn’t easy to pass over him based on what he has achieved in 2023. That leaves us with Hell Bent and White Caviar. The former made a pleasing comeback when 3rd in a Leopardstown handicap in May and much like White Caviar, he is best forgiven his run last time when he did too much too soon in an Ebor qualifying premier handicap at the Curragh. However, whilst he has won over a mile and a half, he has had 2 attempts at this trip and struggled to finish off his race in the closing stages which could leave him vulnerable in the final furlong.
White Caviar made a solid start to her career last year, winning 2 of her 4 starts and ending her 3-year-old campaign with an official rating of 90. She made her return in Listed company at Gowran Park in May, finishing 3rd to Final Gesture. That is easily the strongest form on offer in this race and the top speed figure of 80 that she produced at Gowran sets her apart in this line-up. She weakened very quickly in the Ebor race at the Curragh and her jockey reported that she didn’t handle the going, so any rain here would be a plus. Putting a line through that Curragh run, she is the most progressive horse in this field and ought to have too much speed for her rivals on these terms.
6:20 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden
First Gentleman
This looks to be quite a weak maiden on paper. Limestone Red appeals most amongst the newcomers. He cost 33,000gns as a Yearling and his pedigree does offer some hope that he will make up into a decent type, but the yard is having a quiet season and he will probably need to run to a mark of 80 to win this. Unless he is well supported before the off, he is probably worth watching for next time. There are just 2lbs between First Gentleman and Desert Haven on the official ratings and they both wear headgear for the first-time here, but the latter is now an 8-race maiden and looks flattered by a mark of 79. By contrast, First Gentleman has hit the frame on all 3 starts to date and has done very little wrong in his career. The application of the cheekpieces may help him to concentrate and although stall 9 is not ideal, this isn’t a deep race, and he should be able to use his experience to get into a prominent position. If he runs to his rating of 81, that should be more than enough to win this.
6:50 Darley Irish EBF Brownstown Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies and Mares)
American Sonja
Aiden O’Brien has 4 of the 9 runners in his care (Beginnings, Dame Kiri, Dower House and Maybe Just Maybe) but none of them look to be particularly progressive and on the official ratings, they all have something to find. As a 4-year-old, Cigamia has weight to concede to her rivals and although her 2nd placed finish in the Kooyonga Stakes will have pleased her connections, this drop back to 7-furlongs doesn’t look an obvious move and she may be vulnerable to some progressive 3-year-olds with more speed.
Zarinsk is the highest rated of these with a mark of 105 and although she does carry a penalty for her Group 3 win at Leopardstown in May, that form looks very solid and sets the standard. The drop to 7-furlongs is our main concern with her, as despite getting to the front in the Prix de Sandringham at Chantilly last month, she was readily outpaced in the home straight and in a race that could prove to be tactical she may be vulnerable. By contrast, American Sonja has shown plenty of speed and although she was beaten by Zarinsk in May, she travelled strongly and simply didn’t last home. The drop to Listed company and a more steadily run race saw her back to winning ways at Paris Longchamp last time and in receipt of 3lbs, she should reverse form with Zarinsk.
