Tuesday Racing: Watson and Foxtrot Lady Are the Perfect Partnership

This is a week that culminates with the final Classic of the St Leger, and hot favourite is Kew Gardens trained by Aidan O’Brien.  The master of Ballydoyle has been successful in the race five times from 42 runners across the last 18 years.  Aidan will no doubt be multiply represented and without question the strongest of which will be Kew Gardens who position as favourite hardened with his third in the Great Voltigeur at York.  17 of the last 30 favourites have won.

Nine horses have run in the Great Voltigeur and come on to win since 1997 from nearly 60 runners.  The winner of the race at York was Old Persian who for me just kept galloping and appeared to have enough in the locker for a little more come Doncaster and the never ending straight.

Since 2000 five winners had run in the Gordon Stakes (That’s from 40 runners who attempted the feat – this year Dee Ex Bee).  Horses to have run in the Derby have won seven times since 2003 – that has been from 34 runners – this year Kew Gardens and Dee Ex Bee are amongst the qualifiers.  The Doncaster St Leger Festival starts on Wednesday with the much-anticipated Leger Legends race.

Catterick

On to Tuesday – the calm before the Doncaster metaphorical storm.  The ground is good at Catterick and they have attracted plenty of runners which makes finding winners very tricky.  However, trainer Archie Watson has found this a happy place as from just six runners he has had three winners.  In the 4.05 at the course he saddles Gratified ridden by Edward Greatrex.  Trainer and Jockey have struck up a great partnership of 20