Testing Faith, with a disappointing recent course and distance experience under Dougie Costello, attempts to recoup considerable losses in division one of the Maiden Stakes over seven furlongs of Kempton polytrack, opener on another eight-race ‘Wednesday-nighter’ when Martin Dwyer jumps aboard the Ian Williams-trained Test Time gelding.
Three weeks ago, Testing Faith, drawn worst in an eleven-runner dash, tried to beat the draw and led early before Dougie eased his mount into second place behind a 66/1 ‘no-hoper’ which predictably faded approaching two out; for all the world this heavily-backed favourite looked certain to land the money only to lose out in the last strides to moderate Rochburne having his third run. Early exertions invariably take their toll in such circumstances.
What so many fail to understand is a slowly-run race involves more running time; think about it!
After computing the race-times my mood was dark because Testing Faith had done everything wrong having shaped so encouragingly on debut over a similar distance on ‘good to firm’ Pontefract six weeks earlier, in a fast-run test won by Mark Johnston’s highly-regarded staying prospect Approachability.
All things considered, and there were plenty of issues, Testing Faith ran remarkably well and is a serious rival to similarly-profiled Fourth Time Lucky, trained by Richard Fahey and mount of Tony Hamilton. They combined on Monday to beat my nap Amanda Hug ‘n’ Kiss with Shouldavebeenmore and when the Malton ‘winning machine’ gets into gear there is no stopping the constant flow of winners.
Looking forward to a ‘Testing’ couple of minutes and half an hour later a direct time-comparison with the second leg should be most informative; betting-wise it’s too difficult whereas in the twelve-runner Novice Stakes over six furlongs it will come as no surprise if twice-raced Dazzerlin causes one under Luke Morris.
Laura Mongan’s charge improved from a quiet debut twenty-six days ago when ridden by Ryan Tate, a mate of Luke’s by virtue of their association with Sir Mark Prescott’s yard!
There also jumping cards at Wetherby and Hereford where Grace A Vous Enki is the proverbial ‘anchor’ in a Novices’ Hurdle over an extended three miles; with a previous winner, Ballintubber Boy, in opposition we might just get a half-decent price to boost other winnings!
Selections, Kempton, 4.45 Testing Faith (e.w); 5.45 Dazzerling (e.w); Hereford, 2.10 Grace A Vous Enki.Testing’ times ahead, just keep the ‘Faith!’
Jeffrey Ross, horse-racing correspondent for WMN since 1983 when winning the most prestigious racing journalist award, Sporting Life Naps Table, before winning it a record number of six times collectively in the Racing Post, the current ‘trade’ paper, including 2019