It has been a stellar week so far for Herrin Kendrick’s horse racing tips, and the momentum is set to continue with today’s selections across several racecourses. As we look ahead to the racing action on this fine Friday, we focus on the events at Newbury, Cork, and Newmarket. These venues promise a day of thrilling competition, with a range of talented horses vying for victory.
Read on to discover the best horse racing tips of the day, including the eagerly awaited Nap of the Day.
Horse Racing Tips Friday 16th August 2024
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Nap of the Day Selection
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Races Previews For Today’s, Friday 16th August at Cork, Newbury and Newmarket
Today’s racing features a host of competitive events that will challenge both horses and jockeys alike. At Newbury, the 3:15 race offers a fascinating mile-long contest where several promising three-year-olds will line up. Among them is King’s Charter, a well-bred colt from the renowned Godolphin stable, who made an encouraging debut at Sandown last month. Despite showing some inexperience, he finished a commendable third, hinting at considerable potential. With the step up in distance to a mile likely to suit, King’s Charter is expected to be more streetwise under the guidance of Charlie Appleby, whose yard is in excellent form.
However, the competition in this race is stiff. Isambard Brunel, a newcomer with an illustrious pedigree, makes his debut here. Trained by Aidan O’Brien, this colt is out of a Group 3-winning dam and related to top-level winners, including a Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe victor. This maiden race is a crucial stepping stone for such blue-blooded youngsters, and it will be interesting to see how they fare against more experienced runners like King’s Charter.
Over in Cork, the 6:22 Give Thanks Stakes is another highlight, where the talented Mother Nature is set to compete. This daughter of Justify, from a family of multiple Classic winners, has been improving steadily. After a narrow defeat at the Curragh in June, she broke her maiden in style at Killarney over a longer trip. The 1m4f distance at Cork should play to her strengths, and her front-running style could prove difficult for others to match. However, Dermot Weld’s Shamida, a Group 3 winner with proven stamina, poses a significant threat. Shamida may not have been at her best on her last couple of starts, but if she can recapture the form that saw her triumph in the Irish St Leger Trial, she will be hard to beat.
Newmarket hosts an intriguing race at 6:50, where the experienced Darkness is set to take on a competitive field. Trained by David O’Meara, this six-year-old has a strong affinity for the July course, having won over this distance last summer. His recent performances, including a solid fourth in the Golden Mile at Goodwood, suggest he’s in good shape. Although he remains on the same mark of 91 as when last successful, the competition today is fierce, with horses like Magnum Force from the in-form Lyons stable offering formidable opposition.
Elsewhere, the 3:35 at Wolverhampton sees Standbackandlook aiming for back-to-back victories after his impressive win at the same course last month. With Jim Crowley in the saddle, his chances look strong, but he will face stiff competition from the hat-trick seeking Miss Gitana, who continues to progress and could still be ahead of the handicapper.
Horse Racing Tips For Today’s, Friday 16th August at Cork, Newbury and Newmarket
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King’s Charter, an exquisitely bred colt owned by the prestigious Godolphin stable, is set to make his second appearance on the track in the 3:15 at Newbury. His debut at Sandown last month provided a tantalising glimpse of his potential, as he demonstrated a strong finishing kick despite being somewhat green in the early stages. The fact that he finished third in that contest, after showing signs of inexperience, speaks volumes about his underlying ability and suggests that he is a colt with a bright future.
A significant factor in his favour is the step up in distance to a mile. His breeding—being a full brother to the highly regarded Skellet and a half-sibling to Group 1 winner Skitter Scatter—indicates that this increase in trip should play to his strengths. His dam has produced progeny that excel over a variety of distances, and King’s Charter appears to have inherited the stamina and class required to thrive over a mile.
Moreover, the Godolphin operation, under the expert guidance of Charlie Appleby, is known for its meticulous preparation of young horses. Appleby has been in sparkling form recently, with his yard boasting an impressive strike rate. This bodes well for King’s Charter, who should be much sharper and more streetwise with his initial run under his belt. The Sandown experience would have taught him valuable lessons, and his connections will likely have worked on any greenness he displayed, ensuring he is primed to deliver a more polished performance at Newbury.
The Newbury track itself, known for its fair and galloping nature, should suit King’s Charter perfectly. The long straight will give him ample opportunity to unleash his turn of foot, and the experience gained from Sandown should help him navigate any tactical challenges that arise during the race. Given the form of his stable, the step up in trip, and his promising debut, King’s Charter stands out as a strong contender in this contest, and it would be no surprise to see him get off the mark at the second time of asking.
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Mother Nature, a beautifully bred daughter of Justify, steps into Group 3 company in the Give Thanks Stakes at Cork, where she is poised to build on her recent success. Her pedigree is nothing short of stellar, being out of a mare who is a full sister to multiple Classic winners, including Minding, Tuesday, and Empress Josephine. This lineage has clearly imbued her with the quality and stamina required to excel at the highest levels of the sport.
After a couple of near misses, including a narrow defeat at the Curragh where she was beaten by a subsequent Group 3 winner, Mother Nature finally broke her maiden in convincing style at Killarney last month. The decision to step her up in trip proved to be a masterstroke, as she thrived over the longer distance, suggesting that the 1m4f trip at Cork is likely to be her optimum.
What sets Mother Nature apart is her front-running style, which could prove to be a significant advantage in this race. If she is allowed to dictate the pace from the front, she could prove very difficult to peg back, especially given the stamina she has shown in her previous outings. The Give Thanks Stakes has been a fruitful race for fillies with her running style, and if she is allowed an uncontested lead, it could be all over bar the shouting as they turn for home.
The only potential question mark might be her ability to handle the step up in class, but given her pedigree and the way she has progressed with each run, there is every reason to believe she is ready for this level. Her stable, too, is in good form, and the fact that she has already shown she can mix it with higher-calibre horses adds to her appeal. Overall, Mother Nature appears to have all the tools required to claim Group 3 honours and could well be a filly to follow as the season progresses.
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Darkness, a six-year-old gelding trained by David O’Meara, returns to Newmarket’s July course where he has enjoyed considerable success in the past. His affinity for this course is well documented, having won over this very distance last summer, and his recent form suggests that he is primed for another big performance.
This season, Darkness has shown consistent form, particularly on his last outing in the Golden Mile at Goodwood, where he finished a commendable fourth. That race was highly competitive, and Darkness was one of several horses who encountered trouble in running. Despite this, he stayed on well, indicating that he retains plenty of ability and is well capable of winning off his current mark of 91.
What makes Darkness particularly appealing today is the conditions he faces. He clearly enjoys racing on the July course at Newmarket, a track that suits his running style. The combination of a fast surface and the course’s undulations plays to his strengths, allowing him to produce his best form. Furthermore, the experience he brings to the table, having competed in high-class handicaps throughout his career, gives him a significant edge over some of his less seasoned rivals.
Another key factor is the booking of Tom Marquand, a jockey who is riding with great confidence and skill. Marquand knows how to get the best out of horses like Darkness, who require a well-timed ride to hit the front at just the right moment. Given the gelding’s proven track record at Newmarket and his solid recent form, he looks set to run a big race and could well be the one they all have to beat. With these factors in mind, Darkness is selected as our Nap of the Day, representing the best bet across today’s racing.
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Standbackandlook, a three-year-old gelding trained by William Knight, comes into the 3:35 at Wolverhampton in excellent form, having scored an impressive victory over course and distance last time out. That win marked a significant step forward for the horse, who appears to have turned a corner since the application of cheekpieces.
The decision to equip Standbackandlook with headgear has clearly paid dividends, as he has shown marked improvement in his last few runs. His win at Wolverhampton last month was particularly eye-catching, as he readily saw off the opposition, including a subsequent winner, suggesting that he is well ahead of the handicapper at present.
One of the most notable aspects of Standbackandlook’s profile is the booking of Jim Crowley, a jockey with an exceptional strike rate at Wolverhampton. Crowley’s presence in the saddle is a major positive, as he has a knack for getting the best out of his mounts at this track. His experience and tactical nous could prove crucial in navigating what is likely to be a competitive race.
While the rise in weights is a potential challenge, Standbackandlook has the form and the ability to overcome it. His recent performances suggest that he is still on an upward trajectory, and with the assistance of Crowley, he has every chance of continuing his progression. The competition, including the in-form Miss Gitana, will not make it easy, but Standbackandlook looks like a horse on the rise, and it would be no surprise to see him score again at Wolverhampton.
Each of these selections offers strong claims for success, and with Darkness leading the charge as our Nap of the Day, there is plenty to look forward to in today’s racing action.
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