Goodwood tips from Ross Millar: "She's my strongest selection"

All eyes are on the Sussex Downs this week for the Qatar Goodwood Festival, so in a change to the regular format, Juvenile Watch will come in two parts this week. The first part covering the two-year old races on Wednesday and Thursday, and part two later in the week looking ahead to Friday and Saturday. Enjoy the week. 

Racecard: HKJC World Pool Molecomb Stakes.

Best odds: 6-4.

This race contains my strongest selection of the week. 

Starman has enjoyed a fine start to his stallion career with an impressive 29 per cent strike-rate of winners to runners. His first crop has been spearheaded by the Ger Lyons-trained Lady Iman who, incidentally, was also his first winner at Dundalk in March. 

Since that debut win, she’s only tasted defeat once, and that came on her latest start in the Group Two Airlie Stud Stakes at the Curragh over six furlongs where, having breezed into contention, she was outstayed by the more stoutly bred Beautify. 

Her penalty nullifies her fillies’ allowance, but a return to this minimum trip, and a drop in class, can see her regain the winning thread. She has exceptional early speed, and the speed nature of this track looks tailor-made for her. 

Regular rider Colin Keane misses the ride through suspension, but Ryan Moore is a more than able super-sub! 

Racecard: British Stallion Studs EBF Alice Keppel Fillies' Conditions Stakes.

Best odds: 25-1.

I won’t cover every maiden in this column this week, but Zelaina is an odds-on favourite here, and I think that makes her worth opposing. 

She was tremendously impressive on her debut at Nottingham, but then failed to build on that in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot where she was awkward to post before racing far too freely. 

Karl Burke had referenced her hot nature ahead of Ascot, so she’s clearly not easy, and while the time she’s been away from the track might well have been focused on getting her to settle, she arrives here fresh without a recent run. It should also be pointed out that while she was visually impressive at Nottingham, the runner-up has since been well beaten, so the form could be questioned. 

She might well hack up, but I’m taking her on with one at a double-figure price. 

Desert Jungle was far too free on her debut at Thirsk where, having shown blistering early speed, she weakened late on when also appearing uncomfortable on the Thirsk undulations. The fitting of a hood saw an improved performance at Catterick on her next start where she made all the running to win cosily from Duskaura, a winner on her next start. 

The speed nature of this track can play to the natural speed of Kevin Ryan’s filly, and she can hit the frame, at least.

Racecard: Markel Richmond Stakes.

Best odds: 17-2.

Plenty of Royal Ascot form on display in this! Coppull outran his odds when finishing third in the Coventry Stakes, while Havana Hurricane and Azizam were first and third in the Windsor Castle. 

Coppull raced enthusiastically throughout in the Coventry and only gave way late on, so this easier track should suit well. Furthermore, the form of the Coventry might well have been boosted by Thursady. He’s the correct and obvious favourite here.

However, my selection is Azizam. He caught the eye when finishing strongly from an uncompromising position from off the pace in the five-furlong Windsor Castle, and he was again on the wrong side of the track having raced up the near-side rail. 

His dam’s sole win came over a mile, with his sibling, Sweet Sonata, also showing improved form over six furlongs. He’ll likely be played late, so will require a slice of luck from the Goodwood Gods, but he’s flying under the radar, and has stronger credentials than his price suggests.