Latest news with #Maximized
Gulf Today
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Maximized looking to make most of G2 Richmond Stakes opportunity
Maximized hopes for an improved performance in G2 company when he tackles the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood in UK on Thursday. The Charlie Appleby-trained colt met with a first career defeat in the G2 July Stakes at Newmarket earlier this month, when he faded to fifth after appearing to hold a leading chance approaching the final furlong. Maximized readily beat recent Listed Pat Eddery Stakes winner Time To Turn on his debut at Haydock Park and comfortably accounted for Havana Hurricane, who went on to win the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes, in the Woodcote Stakes at Epsom Downs. Charlie Appleby said: 'Maximized had proved very consistent up until his disappointing run in the July Stakes. We have no real excuse for that effort, although the ground may have been quick enough. He came out of the race fine and we are applying cheek-pieces this time. Hopefully, he can rekindle his early season form, which will make him competitive.' Morris Dancer touched off in G2 Vintage Stakes Unexposed two-year-old Morris Dancer took a significant step forward as he went down by a short-head to Zavateri in the G2 Vintage Stakes, despite showing signs of inexperience in the seven-furlong contest at Goodwood, UK, on Tuesday, 29 July. The Palace Pier colt, making his Pattern debut for John & Thady Gosden on the back of a Haydock Park maiden success, raced in a clear last of the 10 runners for the majority of the race. Asked to quicken by William Buick two furlongs out, Morris Dancer started to make good headway soon after but had to switch out after nearly running into the back of Do Or Do Not. The Godolphin runner, who continued to look ill at ease on the camber, flew home inside the final furlong and strongly pressed Zavateri in the final strides, with the G2 July Stakes winner finding more in the shadow of the post. John Gosden said: 'We are thrilled with Morris Dancer, who has run a great race. He won at Haydock and then just had a little niggle and cough. So we backed off and he came here off the minimum work. William said don't be frightened to step up to a mile with him and we will do that somewhere.'' William Buick added: 'There wasn't much between Morris Dancer and Zavateri in the end. He ran super. It seemed like the winner found a bit more when I got to him but Morris Dancer has stepped up on his previous run, so we are very happy.'' Recently, Tornado Alert produced a superb display as he decisively beat older opposition in the G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis at Munich. The Too Darn Hot colt had already put up three strong efforts in the UK this season, including finishing fourth behind Ruling Court in the G1 2,000 Guineas, but was encountering soft ground for the first time in his career. Oisin Murphy positioned Tornado Alert prominently throughout the 10-furlong contest and raced in third initially before moving up to a two-length second behind Atoso heading into the first turn. Petit Marin took second from the Saeed bin Suroor-trained runner seven furlongs from home, with many horses appearing poised to challenge as the field bunched turning in. Atoso and Petit Marin kept to the inside rail but started to fade at the top of the straight as Tornado Alert led the rest of the runners towards the centre of the course. Having taken up the lead over two furlongs from home, Tornado Alert found plenty in front, seeing off Persica and then Map Of Stars before powering away to hit the line two and a half lengths clear. Saeed Bin Suroor said: 'Tornado Alert won well and I am really pleased for him. He has run well every time this season, and his second at Royal Ascot last time was a good piece of form. I was a little worried about the ground when the rain came, but he had no problem with conditions today. 'We will take him home to Newmarket and see how he comes out of this over the next few days before deciding where to go next. A mile and a quarter is his best trip, so we will look for more races over this distance.'
Rhyl Journal
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Do Or Do Not aiming to build on Ascot effort at Newmarket
Ed Walker's son of Space Blues was sent off at odds of 80-1 when leading home the runners on his side of the track in the Coventry Stakes, but is sure to be much shorter in the betting this time, with his handler hoping the youngster can confirm the promise of that huge performance and break his duck. 'It's a very different track to Ascot and he was doing some very good work late on there, but he's not short of speed and showed plenty of speed at York before that and he's a horse who has undoubtedly surprised us,' said Walker. SERIOUS HORSE! GSTAAD WINS THE COVENTRY STAKES! #RoyalAscot — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 17, 2025 'He's a very laid-back horse who is quite hard to assess at home, but he's fit and well and he looks great, so I hope he can go and back up that Ascot performance. 'He's got a wonderful temperament which is often half the battle and Ascot was only his third start so he could be able to improve on it and he came out of the Coventry really well, so we'll see how we go.' The top of the market for the Group Two is dominated by Charlie Appleby's Maximized and Aidan O'Brien's Brussels, who both sidestepped the Royal meeting but have hinted at being potential top notchers in their respective careers to date. Both head to the July course unbeaten, with the Godolphin candidate seeing the form of his Woodcote win franked by Eve Johnson Houghton's Epsom runner-up Havana Hurricane in the Windsor Castle at Ascot, while the Ballydoyle raider sprouted wings on his debut to down stablemate and subsequent winner Kansas. Appleby said on the Godolphin website: 'Maximized is two from two, stepping up from his novice to win nicely at Epsom. We gave him a break afterwards, as the plan was always to miss Royal Ascot, and he goes into this in great shape. He is on an upward curve and hopefully the one they all have to beat.' Johnson Houghton is represented on this occasion by Salisbury scorer Zavateri, who like Paul and Oliver Cole's taking Goodwood victor Jel Pepper is one from one and now stepping up significantly in grade. The select field is rounded off by Andrew Balding's Comical Point, who steps up in trip having not been disgraced when fifth in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot. 'He ran in the Norfolk and I think the step up to six furlongs will suit and he will improve a bit for that as he was definitely doing his best work late on,' said Philip Robinson, racing manager to owner Saeed Suhail. 'Whether that will be good enough to win a race like this I don't know, but I do think the six furlongs will help.'
North Wales Chronicle
10-07-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Do Or Do Not aiming to build on Ascot effort at Newmarket
Ed Walker's son of Space Blues was sent off at odds of 80-1 when leading home the runners on his side of the track in the Coventry Stakes, but is sure to be much shorter in the betting this time, with his handler hoping the youngster can confirm the promise of that huge performance and break his duck. 'It's a very different track to Ascot and he was doing some very good work late on there, but he's not short of speed and showed plenty of speed at York before that and he's a horse who has undoubtedly surprised us,' said Walker. SERIOUS HORSE! GSTAAD WINS THE COVENTRY STAKES! #RoyalAscot — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 17, 2025 'He's a very laid-back horse who is quite hard to assess at home, but he's fit and well and he looks great, so I hope he can go and back up that Ascot performance. 'He's got a wonderful temperament which is often half the battle and Ascot was only his third start so he could be able to improve on it and he came out of the Coventry really well, so we'll see how we go.' The top of the market for the Group Two is dominated by Charlie Appleby's Maximized and Aidan O'Brien's Brussels, who both sidestepped the Royal meeting but have hinted at being potential top notchers in their respective careers to date. Both head to the July course unbeaten, with the Godolphin candidate seeing the form of his Woodcote win franked by Eve Johnson Houghton's Epsom runner-up Havana Hurricane in the Windsor Castle at Ascot, while the Ballydoyle raider sprouted wings on his debut to down stablemate and subsequent winner Kansas. Appleby said on the Godolphin website: 'Maximized is two from two, stepping up from his novice to win nicely at Epsom. We gave him a break afterwards, as the plan was always to miss Royal Ascot, and he goes into this in great shape. He is on an upward curve and hopefully the one they all have to beat.' Johnson Houghton is represented on this occasion by Salisbury scorer Zavateri, who like Paul and Oliver Cole's taking Goodwood victor Jel Pepper is one from one and now stepping up significantly in grade. The select field is rounded off by Andrew Balding's Comical Point, who steps up in trip having not been disgraced when fifth in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot. 'He ran in the Norfolk and I think the step up to six furlongs will suit and he will improve a bit for that as he was definitely doing his best work late on,' said Philip Robinson, racing manager to owner Saeed Suhail. 'Whether that will be good enough to win a race like this I don't know, but I do think the six furlongs will help.'
The Sun
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Horse racing tips: ‘He was the ultimate Royal Ascot eyecatcher' – Templegate's giant 12-1 NAP at Newmarket on Thursday
TEMPLEGATE tackles Thursday's racing confident of bashing the bookies on day one of the Newmarket July Festival. Back a horse by clicking their odds below - and check out this 1,858-1 Oisin Murphy treble worth an each-way play. ZAYER (3.00 Newmarket, nap) He caught the eye when coming home quickly to finish fourth in the Palace Of Holyrood at Royal Ascot last time. He was just hitting top speed at the end of five furlongs and this longer trip should be ideal. Quick ground suits and he looks a fair price. OPERA BALLO (4.45 Newmarket, nb) He got his career firmly back on track when winning a Listed contest at Sandown last time. He relishes this mile trip and looks well ahead of this standard. MAXIMIZED (2.25 Newmarket, treble) He has done little wrong in winning both starts and improved at Epsom last time. He likes this trip and looks well up to this Group 2 standard. Do Or Do Not was an 80-1 second in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot last time. He was ahead among the low numbers and enjoyed the quick ground. A repeat of that would take him very close. 1.50 FURTHUR can go one better after a power-packed second in the Queen's Vase, shaping like a proper stayer and relishing the step up in trip. With Oisin Murphy back aboard and a weak pace predicted, he may prove hard to peg back if allowed to dictate matters from near the front. Hallelujah U caught the eye finishing off well in the Queen's Vase and is a serious player if he continues that upward curve. Scandinavia wasn't far behind either and will be suited by a more searching gallop but this small field may again find him out if they crawl early. Nightime Dancer wasn't disgraced when eighth in the Derby. He looks the type to enjoy this stiffer test while Titanium Emperor is bred for middle distances and looked to be running out of petrol when seventh in the Queen's Vase. 2.25 TAKE it to the Max with the boys in blue. MAXIMISED has done little wrong in winning both starts and improved at Epsom last time. He likes this trip and looks well up to this Group 2 standard. Do Or Do Not was an 80-1 second in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot last time. He was ahead among the low numbers and enjoyed the quick ground. A repeat of that would take him very close. Brussels wasn't particularly strong in the betting when making a winning start for Aidan O'Brien at The Curragh in May. He showed good pace and Ballydoyle won this race 12 months ago. Comical Point shapes as though this move up a furlong will help after a decent fourth in the Norfolk last time. Trainer Andrew Balding is in excellent form. Jel Pepper won a decent maiden at Goodwood and clocked a solid enough time. This is much hotter but there's more to come. Zavateri didn't have a lot to beat at Salisbury and will have to raise his game in this company. 3.00 ZAYER caught the eye when coming home quickly to finish fourth in the Palace Of Holyrood at Royal Ascot last time. He was just hitting top speed at the end of five furlongs and this longer trip should be ideal. Quick ground suits and he looks a fair price. Hucklesbrook had a bit in hand when scoring at York 26 days ago and relishes this trip. An 8lb rise gives him more to do but the booking of Ryan Moore takes the eye. Double Rush was third in that Knavesmire race from what turned out to be a poor draw. He could be a fair bit closer today. Crestofdistinction was an impressive winner at Wolverhampton last time and would have each-way claims if repeating that back on turf. Invictus enjoyed himself on the Rowley course here last time when winning with plenty to spare. An 11lb rise for that is harsh but he should be competitive again as should dual winner Tawasol who likes this trip. 3.35 GHOSTWRITER ran a good race in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot last time and was gaining on winner Rebel's Romance at the line. This is clearly a weaker race over a trip that suits and he can repay another slice of his £2m fee to Amo Racing. Palladium was a place behind the tip latest and there's no obvious reason why he would turn that around. He is likely to fill the runner-up spot here. Wimbledon Hawkeye keeps running well in group races without being quite good enough to win one. He ran well again in the King Edward last time but is likely to find one too good. The Appleby pair both look a bit short of this level. El Cordobes was held in Listed company at York and Arabian Crown was poor in the Gordon Richards at Sandown and has had a little break since. Templegate's tips Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who:
Leader Live
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Do Or Do Not aiming to build on Ascot effort at Newmarket
Ed Walker's son of Space Blues was sent off at odds of 80-1 when leading home the runners on his side of the track in the Coventry Stakes, but is sure to be much shorter in the betting this time, with his handler hoping the youngster can confirm the promise of that huge performance and break his duck. 'It's a very different track to Ascot and he was doing some very good work late on there, but he's not short of speed and showed plenty of speed at York before that and he's a horse who has undoubtedly surprised us,' said Walker. SERIOUS HORSE! GSTAAD WINS THE COVENTRY STAKES! #RoyalAscot — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 17, 2025 'He's a very laid-back horse who is quite hard to assess at home, but he's fit and well and he looks great, so I hope he can go and back up that Ascot performance. 'He's got a wonderful temperament which is often half the battle and Ascot was only his third start so he could be able to improve on it and he came out of the Coventry really well, so we'll see how we go.' The top of the market for the Group Two is dominated by Charlie Appleby's Maximized and Aidan O'Brien's Brussels, who both sidestepped the Royal meeting but have hinted at being potential top notchers in their respective careers to date. Both head to the July course unbeaten, with the Godolphin candidate seeing the form of his Woodcote win franked by Eve Johnson Houghton's Epsom runner-up Havana Hurricane in the Windsor Castle at Ascot, while the Ballydoyle raider sprouted wings on his debut to down stablemate and subsequent winner Kansas. Appleby said on the Godolphin website: 'Maximized is two from two, stepping up from his novice to win nicely at Epsom. We gave him a break afterwards, as the plan was always to miss Royal Ascot, and he goes into this in great shape. He is on an upward curve and hopefully the one they all have to beat.' Johnson Houghton is represented on this occasion by Salisbury scorer Zavateri, who like Paul and Oliver Cole's taking Goodwood victor Jel Pepper is one from one and now stepping up significantly in grade. The select field is rounded off by Andrew Balding's Comical Point, who steps up in trip having not been disgraced when fifth in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot. 'He ran in the Norfolk and I think the step up to six furlongs will suit and he will improve a bit for that as he was definitely doing his best work late on,' said Philip Robinson, racing manager to owner Saeed Suhail. 'Whether that will be good enough to win a race like this I don't know, but I do think the six furlongs will help.'
