At The Races

Mark Tompkins Stable Tour
14 Sep 2009

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It is now 16 years since Mark Tompkins sent out his sole classic winner, Bob's return in the St Leger but during the interim he has still managed to produce horses to run competitively at group level despite the lack of a strong fiscal war chest.

There have been many examples of his financial prudity but the most recent is without doubt the durable Smokey Oakey who scaled a career high at group three level at Sandown in May 2008 and has now dropped to a mark which makes the Cambridgeshire a realistic option.

The final four months of the season are usually a fruitful time for the Newmarket trainer. His late-maturing three-year-old handicappers often need give underfoot and his two-year-olds are now often ready for nurseries over longer distances.

He has a strong team of both plus some older handicappers now on winnable marks which he discusses here.

Older horses

FORCE GROUP
5 b g Invincible Spirit - Spicebird.
Middle distance handicapper, last of two wins in 18 runs coming in April 2008 off 68. Best run in 11 outings since on latest when head second to Grandad Bill of 69 in 12 furlong York handicap September 6.
"Last time at York was the first time for a while that he'd had anywhere near his right ground - soft. I do think he needs further than 12 furlongs now, a mile and six or even two miles."

KINSYA
6 ch g Mister Baileys - Kimono.
Five from 34, latest back in October 2007 off 87 in mile handicap at Leicester. Has been 96 but back to 80 after latest start when 12 lengths seventh to Foolin Myself on possibly unsuitable surface at Southwell August 27.
"A bit unlucky when he was second at Yarmouth three runs back which was the last time he had his ground which is the easy side of good. He's in unbelievable form at the moment and off a mark to win."

MARVO
5 b g Bahamian Bounty - Mega.
Four from 20 and three coming in last five starts, latest when upped from a mile to nine furlongs and beating Mountain Cat off career high 76 on soft at Hamilton August 19. Now 83 but on the upgrade.
"A revelation this year but had problems before, including having an operation for colic and then he took gelding badly. He was also very weak and this year he's done what I thought he always could. It was Ryan Moore's idea to move him up from a mile to nine furlongs and I think he'll get a mile and a quarter. He needs soft ground and there's still some mileage in his mark."

MYSTERY STAR
4 ch g Kris Kin - Mystery Hill.
Only two from 21 but plenty of ability and currently off career high 98 after finishing half length second to Munsef, first attempt at 13 furlongs at Chester August 22 off 94. last win off 85 at Goodwood in ten furlong handicap in May.
"We still haven't got to the bottom of him and all he's done is improve this year and a bit unfortunate not to have won a proper handicap. It's just possible he could do with blinkers or cheekpieces and he's still improving. Doesn't want extremes of ground."

NO RULES
4 b g Fraam - Golden Daring.
Both wins in 16 race career came this season off 52 and 55 in two mile handicaps at Yarmouth and Doncaster, latest July 9. Only one run since on July 27 when neck second to Baan in Yarmouth handicap off 61 and now 66.
"Improved all season but loves soft ground and sure to win again when he gets it."

SMOKEY OAKEY
5 b g Tendulkar - Veronica.
Grand servant, five from 27 including group three over 10 furlongs at Sandown May 2008. Without a win in nine starts since and has dropped from 111 to 100. Latest run ok when six lengths seventh to ten to Confront in mile listed race at Haydock September 5.
"The plan is the Cambridgeshire when my apprentice Ashley Morgan will take off five pounds. He was given too much to do at Haydock last time but he's run some decent races this season without troubling the judge. Decent ground will help him, a stiff nine furlongs is ideal and he's in very good form at present."

Three-year-olds

ASTRODIVA
B f Where Or When - Astromancer.
Consistent maiden, second or third all six runs this season from a mile to 14 furlongs and now 70 from 78. Latest run solid when neck third of six to Heritage Coast over ten at Chester August 21.
"She has been extremely unlucky not to have won a race and will be better again next year. She's fine from a mile and a half to a mile and six and she'll certainly win this season on good ground."

BRUSHING
Ch f Medicean - Seasonal Blossom.
Left poor runs of last season behind when beating Miss Frangipane half a length over six at Yarmouth August 12. Debut mark of 72 looks exploitable.
"Won nicely last time, improving and might be quite good because she's reasonably well handicapped. I'll step her up in trip and she'll get a mile ok."

CALL IT ON
Ch c Raise A Grand - Birthday Present.
Won final of three starts last year in mile maiden at Windsor and rated 82 start of this season. Consistent and has appreciated move up to ten furlongs and now 87 after finishing half length second to Dubai Crest off 84 in Windsor handicap August 9.
"Should have won a race this year over a mile and he wants a mile and a half. A big horse that's still on the weak side that wants easy ground. I think he'll develop into a very good horse in 2010. I'm very happy with him."

DAREDEVIL DAN
B g Golden Snake - Tiempo.
Flashes of ability three starts this season, latest on handicap debut off 70 when upped to 13 furlongs at Newmarket July 25 in race won by Sherman McCoy. Now 68.
"The ground was too firm when he disappointed last time. Needs a mile and a half to 14 furlongs on soft ground and he won't miss."

DAZINSKI
Ch g Sulamani - Shuheb.
Two from 10, second coming on penultimate start when upped to two miles and beating Hawridge King just under two lengths off 75 at Chester August 22. Up to 81 and five lengths third to four to Aajel latest run over two miles at Yarmouth August 30 and now 80.
"He's very ground dependent, likes it fast, but had no luck in running a couple of times when he might have won another one. I ran him a bit quick after Chester because of the ground and he might have tweaked something because he ran no race. If the ground stays I'll get another run into him and he's well capable off this mark."

DULCIE
B f Hernando - Dulcinea.
Won final of two starts at two over nine at Goodwood in October. Rated 77 start of season and had dropped to 73 when winning latest start by a length from Deaville Flyer over two miles at York September 6. Will rise.
"Tiny but hates fast ground. Wasn't particularly happy on the all weather at Southwell but did everything right at York, which suits her. Needs a galloping track with a long run home."

KHAYAR
B c Refuse To Bend - Khatela.
Maiden in six attempts but getting there and produced best run latest outing when upped to 14 furlongs and beaten just over a length by Twist Again off 58 at Redcar August 29. Now 61.
"He will stay two miles and he doesn't want it soft, a big horse that's just coming to himself. Improving and might run up a little sequence."

MOON LIGHTENING
B c Desert Prince - Moon Tango.
Won final start of three last season over seven at Southwell and rated 78. Dropped to 67 for best run to date when a length second to improving Flapper over a mile at York July 24. Ok latest run off same rating when six lengths fourth of 13 to Vita Mia at Chester first attempt over 10 furlongs.
"Things didn't fall for him at Chester so we'll forget that. I've always thought a lot of this horse but he does want a bit of give in the ground so he might go to Ayr for the Gold Cup meeting. Travels so well he can handle a mile to ten furlongs and I might just put a bit of headgear on him to concentrate."

MT KINTRYE
B g Mull Of Kintyre - Nihopillow Miral.
Middle distance maiden in nine attempts but shows ability, best effort on penultimate when length second to Bomber Brown in nine furlong maiden at Yarmouth. Disappointing latest start first attempt at 12 furlongs in race won by Sheila's Castle at Lingfield August 11.
"I gave the wrong instructions last time at Lingfield so ignore that, it was wrong to lead. He needs easy ground over a mile and one to ten furlongs - it was too far last time."

MY GIRL JODE
Ch f Haafhd - Brush Strokes.
Broke maiden on penultimate start when beating Jachol over two lengths in ten furlong handicap at Yarmouth July 20 off 55. Fair second to Amazing Blue Sky latest over ten at Doncaster July 23 off 61 and now 63.
"The only reason she hasn't run is because of the ground, needs give. She's a tall, lengthy filly, still unfurnished that we'll keep for next year. She'll still win this season when the ground comes right. Working nicely now."

OMOKOROA
B g Hawkeye - Alycus.
Steadily improving from 12 to 14 furlongs, second three times and winning third-last start by a length and a half from Addison De Witt off 70 at Catterick July 15. Second last twice off 74 and 77 and now 78.
"big horse and very laid back, plenty of ability and goes on most ground. Hated Catterick but still won and it was bottomless at Haydock last time and that didn't suit him. Anything from 12 to 14 furlongs and he'll get two miles as he gets stronger. Has some pace."

OUTLAND
Br g Indian Haven - Sensuality.
Broke maiden in 11 furlongs Yarmouth handicap in June off 46. Best run latest when head second to Simple Jim when upped to 14 furlongs at Redcar September 3 off 51. Now 54.
"Unfortunate not to have won last time because it was too firm and under those circumstances did very well. He'll get two miles but soft ground is what he wants and he's in the right rating band."

THEOLA
Bl f Kalanisi - Third Dimension.
Maiden with ability in six runs, moving from 14 furlongs to two miles on latest when under three lengths second of 14 to Aaman in maiden handicap at Goodwood August 29 off 69. Now 71.
"Good effort at Goodwood because she did have a lot to do turning for home and she does switch herself off. As it is, take the winner out and we've done really well to come from so far back. There's a 0-75 at Pontefract on September 17 over two miles one. She does want fast ground, no soft in the description."

Two-year-olds

AKULA
Ch c Soviet Star - Danielli.
First of two runs best when third of ten to Nideeb over seven at Yarmouth in July. Needs another run for nursery mark.
"He'd grown a bit when he ran second time and had probably gone a bit weak. Just coming back and working well now. A horse for next year and might only have one more run."

AMNO DANCER
B c Namid - Special Dancer.
Ability three maiden starts over six and rated 77 for nursery debut back to five when disappointing eighth of 12 to Durham Express at Redcar September 3. Now 72.
"I ran him the wrong trip last time, he needs six at least. His form overall is very solid so I am very pleased he's dropped to 72 and I'll look and six or seven furlongs nurseries on decent ground."

CORNISH BEAU
Ch c Pearl Of Love - Marimar.
Ability middle of three runs when under three lengths third of seven to Abriachan over seven at Folkestone August 19. Rated 67 for nursery debut.
"Big, rangy horse that did well at Folkestone and wasn't suited by the soft, loose ground at Chepstow last time. He'll give us a bit of fun in a mile nursery off this mark and he'll improve again next year."

EDWARD WHYMPER
Ch c Bahamian Bounty - Sosumi.
Ability first four runs including nursery debut off 63 but much the best performance on latest start off same mark over seven furlongs at Redcar when four and a half lengths second of 17 to William Morgan September 3.
"This horse was a bit green when he hit the front at Redcar then the winner came out of the pack and did him. The ground was firm enough that day and he maybe wants a mile. As it is, that winner won again so there's nothing wrong with the form."

MISS WENDY
B f Where Or When - Grove Dancer.
Signs of ability both starts, latest when distant third of seven to Mendip over a mile at Kempton September 4.
"Ran very nicely last time and will improve again when she gets into a mile nursery."

NUMBER ONE GUY
Br c Rock Of Gibraltar - Dubious.
Middle of three runs much when best when three and a half lengths fifth of 12 to Dreamspeed at Sandown July 3. Debut mark of 72 looks exploitable.
"Lovely colt, still growing and developing. Needs a mile, nine furlongs on good ground. The rating is fine."

RED BARCELONA
Ch c Indian Haven - Purplepleasureseeker.
Ability both starts over six furlongs and a mile, latest when just over five lengths eighth of 12 to Notorize at Goodwood August 29.
"Tall horse with scope and wasn't hammered at Goodwood. He needs more experience but should be able to win over a mile later in the season."

POWER OF DREAMS
B c Pearl Of Love - Pussie Willow.
First start best of two runs so far over six and seven furlongs when eight lengths fifth of ten to Marrayah at Yarmouth August 17.
"He will progress once he gets into nurseries over a mile on decent ground."

TED SPREAD
B c Beat Hollow - Highbrook.
Definite ability on sole appearance when ten lengths seventh of 17 to Simenon over seven at Newmarket July 25.
"The form of his Newmarket race is first class and I think this is a proper horse. I'll try and win a mile maiden this season, good ground, galloping track. I'm very happy with him."

ZENARINDA
B f Zamindar - Tenpence.
Signs of ability on debut when 11 lengths fourth of seven to Blue Maiden over six at Newmarket July 25.
"This filly goes well at home, very pleased with her first run and she should be more than capable of winning a maiden over a mile."

ASTROMOON
Unraced.
B f Beat Hollow - Astromancer.
"Nice filly that will run at Newmarket in mid-September. A filly worth following."

The knowledge
FORCE GROUP: is only waiting for the right ground and a move up in trip.
MYSTERY STAR: might have some headgear next time.
BRUSHING: is on a winnable mark and will step up in distance.
DAREDEVIL DAN: is just waiting for soft ground.
AMNO DANCER, CORNISH BEAU and NUMBER ONE GUY have exploitable marks.
TED SPREAD: is smart enough to win a maiden next time.