THAT the world of top jockeys differs greatly from other sportsmen is highlighted by the weekend workload of Tom Queally.
The Newmarket-based rider today teams up with Bullet Man for his boss Henry Cecil in the £1.25 million Investec Derby.
Tomorrow, he travels to a lowly meeting at Brighton, where the races are worth an average of £4,000.
Queally, though, won’t be complaining if he can figure among the winners and, by my reckoning, he could well complete a treble on Ebony Boom, Aegean Shadow and Suzy Alexander.
Although one of the lesser-talented of the Cecil horses, Ebony Bloom has shown enough ability to suggest she can make a bold bid in the Brighton Rocket Maiden Stakes. The drop back to a mile and a half should suit the three-year-old, who appeared not to stay one mile and six furlongs in handicap company at Sandown last time around.
Aegean Shadow, also trained by Cecil, runs in the Hardings Bar And Catering Services Handicap and makes plenty of appeal.
She was the winner of her third and latest outing at Lingfield, and although there was no great merit in that victory, that is reflected in her handicap mark.
She is set to race off a rating of only 70 tomorrow in her first handicap and ought to prove more than competitive.
Queally finishes-off with the mount on Suzy Alexander in the Brighton Racecourse And Conference Centre Handicap. George Margarson’s charge, placed in two maidens this term, is expected to go well in a modest-looking contest.
The nap vote is awarded to Princess Lexi in the Brighton John Smith’s Day 4th August Handicap.
The Ian Williams-trained filly ran out a fairly decisive winner at Redcar on her latest start when the distance of one mile seemed ideal for her. She tackles the same trip tomorrow and is napped to overcome a 6lb hike in the weights.
At Southwell, an eight race card is programmed, and Michael Stainton will be hoping to get a whole lot further on Mey Blossom than he managed last time out at Thirsk recently.
The pair parted company exiting the stalls when Mey Blossom stumbled, leaving his jockey no chance of remaining aboard.
Previously successful at Newcastle, Mey Blossom, trained near Leeds by Richard Whitaker, is expected to go well in the second division of the Atrium Handicap.
Heathyards Pride (2.50), who goes well around Southwell, and Provost (3.50), who also has winning course form, are two others to note on this bumper card.
Racing selection
Brighton.
2.30 Best One, 3.00 Princess Lexi (NAP), 3.30 Yourgolftravel Com, 4.00 Ebony Boom, 4.40 Aegean Shadow, 5.00 Suzy Alexander.
Southwell.
2.20 Twisted Wings, 2.50 Heathyards Pride, 3.20 Blue Zephyr, 3.50 Provost, 4.20 Liteup My World, 4.50 Efisio Princess, 5.20 Mey Blossom, 5.50 Tom Wade.
Tomorrow’s other meetings: Worcester.
Today’s meetings: Doncaster, Epsom, Hexham, Lingfield, Musselburgh, Newcastle, Worcester.
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