Eqinette ticks enough boxes to justify the first leg of my each-way double on Kempton polytrack tonight; Amanda Perrett’s charge could also initiate a double for veteran jockey Dane O’Neill in both divisions of the 2-y-o Maiden Fillies’ Stakes over six furlongs.
Another entertaining eight-race ‘Wednesday-nighter!’
Nine days ago Equinette improved on a promising debut by chasing home heavily-backed favourite, Teresar, from the in-form Henry Candy yard, at a distance of one and quarter lengths over five; Amanda must have thought a drop back in trip would be the answer.
That is sound form but Godolphin-owned Dismantle can’t be dismissed and neither can a couple of others but with three places available Eqinette looks a sound proposition.
Half an hour later O’Neill climbs aboard once-raced, Bounce, trained by Candy.
This Bahamian Bounty filly finished a creditable close-up fifth to Czabo over six furlongs at Newbury last month since when Bounce has been given plenty of recovery time, so vital, and necessary.
Judged on that effort in a strongly-run race, and the likelihood of considerable improvement, Bounce must go close on this excellent surface, which still rides a tad deep in the last 300 yards; plenty have been caught out when allowing mounts to ease off which is why experience pays off. Doesn’t it always?
There are two afternoon fixtures with stacks of two-year-old races at Nottingham and ‘good to soft’ Salisbury where once-raced River Echo looks gilt-edged division two of the Maiden Stakes over a mile.
River Echo, also by Equiano, stayed on strongly over seven at Newbury eleven days ago, finishing second of 17, beaten three lengths by Tabarrak; solid form.
Silvestre de Souza takes over from an apprentice.
Hope this isn’t too soon!