Neil Morrice takes a look at six UK dark horses who could impressed recently. Featured here are SERA DAWN, SPANISH PHOENIX, ARKENDALE, REACHING HIGH, FOX LEGACY and PRIMO LARA.
SERA DAWN Leicester September 25th
Without running out of racing real estate inside the final furlong, SERA DAWN would have finished close to the winner of this sprint handicap. She was looming as a danger when having her path blocked and had no time to recover. She’s shown a marked preference for cut in the ground, and can be campaigned fruitfully through the autumn.
SPANISH PHOENIX Newbury September 23rd
Although starting the outsider in the prestigious Mill Reef Stakes, SPANISH PHOENIX could in different circumstances have finished a lot closer to stablemate and Array. The Phoenix Of Spain colt hit a flat spot after the quarter pole but rallied to such degree that he was beaten a total of just threequarters of a length into fourth. This was an eye taking display and suggests he’s not only Group class but also the virtual equal of the winner.
FOX LEGACY Kempton Park September 22nd
From a compromising draw a slow start was the last thing FOX LEGACY needed but that’s what happened in this seven furlongs novice. He used up valuable energy reserves to get to the front, but was a spent force before the final furlong. He’d been working well at home, and attracted plenty of late support. There will be another day for him.
PRIMO LARA Yarmouth September 20
PRIMO LARA cost a king’s ransom and there were plenty prepared to invest on him gaining an immediate return on this racecourse debut. Unfortunately for those backers the colt didn’t enjoy the run of the race after having to be switched soon after that start, and had too much to do when the penny dropped. He was doing his best work at the finish, and can leave this display behind.
REACHING HIGH Yarmouth September 20
REACHING HIGH is another to take out of the same race. He’s a massive individual who doesn’t do anything in a hurry, a factor that made the decision to keep him at seven furlongs rather than upgrade to a mile a perplexing one. Content to get a lead into the race, he was tapped for toe in the final furlong and a half but can show himself in a better light when moved up in trip on a demanding course.
ARKENDALE Chester September 15th
On a first run for his trainer, ARKENDALE put up an eye taking display in this Class4 handicap. Ridden from off the pace, he put in some sterling work to get into the shake-up in a race connections can build on through the rest of the autumn.
