Open Races for Saturday 30th June

G'day again all, welcome to another edition of my ramblings. 

The open race book is a little full now, considering we've got opens near on every week, and what with the Produce Stakes coming up, its pretty hectic at the moment. The draw for the Produce Stakes should be out in the middle of next week. On last count there was around 68 entries, so there is no need for the elimination trials on Tuesday. This number is obviously down a bit from last year, however, as you will see when the draw is out, I think the overall quality is actually very good this year. 

Anyway, I'll natter more about the produce when it comes to it. Saturday sees 4 opens grace the sand, and here's my preview of the races: 

19:57 - The Blunsdon 480 Puppy 

My Pick: Peacemaker - NB

This is a pretty hot puppy race, with Ballymac Wander jumping off the page at you to start with, after winning the Puppy Oaks at Nottingham. However, I do have to query the seeding here. She has comments of Middle and MidW, yet is seeded rails? Seem's very perculiar to me, which leads me to my pick, Peacemaker. He's coming on very nicely for John Millard, having run round gallops such as Coventry and Sittingbourne. He also comes here with a trial (is a Produce pup). The line at Coventry is very telling, I was there that day, and he was seriously unlucky to get crowded out on the third bend. Since then, he's picked up a win at Sittingbourne, and did a very good 29.13 getting beat last time. Being the sole railer, he should get a clear to the bend, and with his early pace he should win this. 

Forest Ronaldo is a big player in this race aswell. Paul Foster's pup has run really well in the last two A1 wins against some very good dogs. He's not quite reached that OR winner status yet, however he's a baby and will surely be a frequent OR winner in no time. Depending on what sort of run he gets on the run up with Wander in 2, he could prove a lively contender vs. Peacemaker. 

As for the others in the race, to me Gorm Cailin and Hey Diego are outclassed in this field, and as such will be double digit prices. Gemstone Jack is on a bit of a down-spell at the moment, I'd like to see him get a good run in this, but something's telling me this is a step too far. 

My Trio: 1-3-2 

20:29 - The Blunsdon Standard 

My Pick: Westmead Adonis - NAP

This is the easiest race on the card really. Adonis, a derby finalist and trained by Nick Savva, trialled here last week and was a length off the clock for his first look. In my book, he's the market leader to win the Produce Stakes, and could go close to breaking the clock in this race. With Matties Mate in 2, as a middle runner, Adonis should pretty much get a clean passage to the bend. 

With such a short price jolly bound to oblige, you'd be better off looking for a forecast link in this race, and I'd be siding with Yeatsie Boy. Kevin Hutton's charge won very comfortably in the A1 last week, and has the pace to even lead this field. My only concern is that he is relatively inexperienced. 

My Trio: 1-6-5 

21:17 - The Blunsdon 509er 

My Pick: Westmead Aouita 

Again, not really original but the short price jolly should win this with relative ease. Nick Savva's charge won nicely last week over the same trip, in a time that I thought looked alot quicker when watching live. For the look round, I'm sure he'll go even better, and I should think he'll break the 30.00 barrier. 

 One big runner for me in this race will be Farloe Skywalker. Matt Dartnall's dog is a veteran now, however he has a stellar CV to his name, and is still a class act even at 4 years of age. One thing I've noticed about this race is that, even with the 4 wide seeds in, both 3 and 4 can stay fairly middle on this long run to the bend, meaning there shouldn't be that much trouble. Skywalker will need to break well and try and get round in front. 

 Kelseys Prince is also a potential party spoiler. Kevin Hutton's runner has a very good 29.85 for the 515 at Hove, a distance that translates very well to this 509m distance. He trailled well enough on Tuesday over 480, recording 28.85 calc. Expect him to be rattling home towards the end. 

My Trio - 2-5-6 

21:49 - The Blunsdon Stayers 

My Pick: Wise Totty 

Toughie of a race this one. I've sided with Totty mainly because I thought she ran really well in the marathon at Oxford the other week, and I think she's got that kick more early pace than her rivals in this race that could see her in front early and stay there. 

Blue Bee seems an obviousl contender to win this race, however she hasn't got a win to her name in quite some time. The Ladbrokes Golden Jacket winner has been running down at Hove for the past few runs, and although there are some good times there (41.51 etc), there isn't a winning line of form. However, if she does run at anything like her best, she will be tough to catch. 

Forest Bonjo is a very interesting runner for Paul Foster in trap 6. Just out of puppy status, I've never really had him down in the formbook as a 6 bend runner. However, he has shown alot more late pace recently than he used to, so he may well be maturing that way. He posted a remarkable 28.60 run over 480 in trials on Tuesday, which tells me he may have enough middle pace in this race to shoot clear. It's whether he stays that will be the issue. 

Droopys Neale comes to us from Mildenhall after winning a 700m open there. The time was, however, rather mediocre, and to be honest he looks a double digit price. Primo Star also is in the same breathe, and looks a shade outclassed. Penskey Rain, the St.Leger Finalist, is always going to be within a shout in these races, and should be paid close attention to. 

My Trio: 2-3-5