Newcastle takes centre stage this weekend with the Pitmen’s Derby over two miles but Friday nights card is all about sprinting. The Gosforth Park Cup may not quite have the prestige of some of the other top sprints but it always attracts a good quality field.
Two horses catch the eye, both impressive winners last time out. The first is the likely favourite Algar who cruised to an effortless victory at Leicester last time out. You don’t often see a jockey having time to look around in the closing stages of a five furlong contest but Daniel Tudhope could hardly keep Algar back in his efforts to keep the winning distance respectable.
That was off a mark of 75 and he races off 86 here including a 6lb penalty. That is hardly ideal but the manner of his victory suggests that he may be up to the task. The problem is the draw as he is in 13 and a low draw is usually best in sprints here. He was also a little slowly away in his previous race at Musselburgh and a slow start would just about finish his chances here.
The other recent winner that I like is Asian Trader, mainly because he is trained by William Haggas. The stable is in absolutely flying form and just about anything he saddles has a chance at the moment. Although he did not have a winner at Royal Ascot, his percentage is staggering at the smaller tracks of late and you have to give Asian Trader serious consideration.
Asian Trader is to be ridden by 7lbs claimer Georgia Cox who rode her first winner on Fathom Five for Shaun Harris at Ripon only last week. The horse won for Stephanie Joannides last time out so obviously goes well for a girl and is suited by a quieter style of riding. He is drawn seven and ought to be competitive from there.
Georgia has ridden the horse before when finishing down the field at Newmarket but that was his first start of the season. At odds of 12-1, the combination look worth a little each-way.
Burning Thread is also up 6lbs for a recent win over Bear Behind at Ayr. That was the first form he has produced since winning at Sandown last season and he is handily drawn in stall 4.
Asian Trader at 12-1 Bet Victor, Ladbrokes
