Miner’s Lamp

Miner’s Lamp did well to finish as close as he did in the 10-furlong handicap that brought the curtain down on Newmarket’s Guineas meeting on Sunday. Weak in the market beforehand, the Godolphin horse was free and keen at the back of the field through the early stages of the race off a really sedate early pace. He didn’t drop the bridle until they reached the four-furlong pole, but he moved up nicely on the near side after that as the pace increased. He couldn’t get past the winner Zee Zeely, but the winner had had a run this season and ran all the way to the line, and the front two finished nicely clear of their rivals.

This was a good performance under adverse circumstances by Miner’s Lamp. Not only did the sedate early pace contribute to the keenness with which he raced, but he won over 10 furlongs as a juvenile, his stamina for 10 furlongs is proven. His chance would have been maximised by a strong pace at the trip. A mark of 95 was reasonable for this, his handicap debut, and hopefully the handicapper will not raise him too much from that mark, because it is a mark off which he could win a decent handicap. This was just his fourth run, he has a nice progressive profile anyway, and he could improve significantly from this run if he settles better next time, which he really should do with the freshness knocked out of him and with the extra experience that another run brings so early in his career. Also, the early pace of his next race cannot be as sedate as it was here. It is interesting that he still holds an entry in the Derby, he is obviously highly-regarded at home, and he will be of interest wherever he runs next.

4th May 2014