Tactician

All the talk before the one-mile juvenile maiden at Doncaster on Thursday was about Peter Chapple-Hyam's newcomer Coordinated Cut, who had attracted considerable support for the Derby, by all accounts. While he did win, he was no better than workmanlike, and it was the runner-up Tactician who caught my eye. Settled out the back by Hayley Turner and moved towards the middle from his draw in stall 10, closest to the stands rail, the son of Motivator travelled nicely, if a tiny bit freely through the first couple of furlongs. Turner had to give him a little slap down the neck a half a mile out, more because of greenness than anything else, and he was on and off the bridle a little thereafter, not really certain of what was required, but he picked up nicely once he moved to the far side. He was tightened up a little, however, as Munsarim moved in and Coordinated Cut moved out, and he had to be switched back inside, then outside as Coordinated Cut wandered, before staying on well to take second place behind the favourite. He is by Motivator out of a Shirley Heights mare who stayed a mile and a half, a half-sister to Phantom Gold, so he is bred for middle distances. He could be a player in the Racing Post Trophy at the end of October if he takes his chance in it, but he should be winning a maiden over a mile first.

10th September 2009

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