Flat Racing - Saturday, September 3rd

[woggymac]

I reckon this 3 y old trained by Roger Varian is a big big price for tomorrows sprint cup. As a two year old Elzaam only just got beat by Strong Suit at Royal Ascot. They pulled well clear of everything else that day and thats when my interest in the horse started. His form tailed off to a certain extent towards the end of the year but that was mainly down to them trying to step him up in trip to 7 furlongs. This horse definitely needs a proper sprint trip. He started his three year old year very impressively winning a listed race at newbury by 6 lengths beating reliable yardstick Dinkum Diamond. Ok that may not be quite good enough in the context of tomorrows race but what he did in his next two races is of more interest. He went to Royal Ascot once again, only to encounter soft ground which wasn't to his liking. Richard Hills gave him a shocking ride, switching sides twice at the start before deciding to stay with the bulk of the field on the far side. He had a fairly rough race and was well back but stayed on extremely well through ground which he didn't like. He only got beat 2 lengths off sociey rock and was alongside the likes of bated breath who is half the price tomorrow and surely elzaam will do much better on top of the ground. Elzaam then went on to run in the july cup where R.Hills again gave him a poor ride. In an article earlier in the season which you can read on the racing post site Roger Varian said he needs cover and to come late and that is the key to riding him. So Hills sets him alight out the stalls in the july cup and sits in second chasing the pacemaker. He had nothing left come the final furlong as he saw far too much daylight. However he rallied and wasn't beat too far in the end. If Richard Hills pulls his finger out tomorrow and rides to instructions which hopefully he will Im sure Elzaam will be bang there come the finish as this is likely to be his last race where he wil be getting weight for age, admittedly only two lbs at this time of year but Elzaam should be well matured for a 3 year old now and should run a massive race at 14/1!! Danny :)

[andyjkmak]

Re: Elzaam - Haydock sprint cup Might be better to post this in the daily thread rather than start a new one :ok