In the Brian Wilson Live on August 26th
Handicap (7.30) on Monday evening, I’m pickin’ up good vibrations
(sorry) about Sky Rocket, who showed his first worthwhile form
on turf when last seen at Goodwood in June. Having finished stone
cold last on his two previous attempts on grass-covered ground, he
kept on well, despite flashing his tail, to finish third of nine,
beaten just a length, in a 0-75 apprentice handicap over 1 mile 2
furlongs at the West Sussex course 66 days.
His absence since is a worry, as is his
temperament, but a bigger concern is that the first and second at
Goodwood, Danzay and Cheeky Rascal, have since run 13 races between
them without winning one. Nevertheless, the son of top
middle-distance performer Azamour should be suited by, but so far
remains unexposed over, 1 mile 2 furlongs and remains open to
significant improvement after just five starts.
He clearly isn’t the best horse in
Sylvester Kirk’s Upper Lambourn yard but, by the same token, the
level of the opposition is hardly awe-inspiring. If he can confirm
the promise of his Goodwood run, he must surely be there or
thereabouts once again, especially off a handicap mark 1lb lower than
last time.
Sky Rocket comes with risks attached,
but hopefully the negatives about him will be factored into his price
and he can give us a decent run for our money at rewarding odds. In
the absence of early prices, odds of 8/1, as per the Racing Post
betting forecast, look fair enough in a run-of-the-mill contest.
Selection: Windsor 7.30 Sky
Rocket to win
