Andrea Atzeni: Goodwood Final Day Preview
Tides Of War – 14:25 Goodwood
It was hard work getting through the ground on Thursday, but it was nice that Vandeek was able to get the job done in the Richmond, and it was a nice pot to win. He’s got lots of potential. The ground was drying out which made it fairly testing, but they are due a bit more rain on Saturday which actually should help. Tides Of War has been a bit disappointing but he did run very well at the track the time before last when he was third to the subsequent Ascot Gold Cup winner, Courage Mon Ami, which is obviously very decent form. He’s won on very soft ground in France, but I think he probably prefers better ground so if it’s dried out a little it will help. It’s one of those handicaps that is just very open, but he does stay the distance.
Ghara – 15:00 Goodwood
On ratings she has a bit to find, but I ride her in the mornings, and she has improved a lot. She is running with a hood on and is stepping up to a mile and six, but the one thing I would say is because she is quite light on her feet, she wouldn’t want the ground too slow, so it all depends on the weather. I think she can out-run her odds because she does work good with another couple of nice fillies from the yard, so I think she has improved. It would be nice to finish in the frame and pick up some black type with her.
Aberama Gold – 15:35 Goodwood
Ideally on slow ground you’d want to be drawn high, but as the ground is drying out it’s probably more important to be drawn where the pace is. I am drawn in the middle, and they will definitely split in to two groups, so I can go either side. He won a big handicap at York last time and he’s a good spare ride to get under a penalty. He’s in form, handles any ground, and he should have a good chance, but it’s obviously always very competitive.
Have a great weekend,
Andrea