A step up to seven furlongs has been the making of Dominaite and the two-year-old can land the Racing Channel Nursery at Newcastle today. Mick Easterby`s charge ran over the minimum trip on his first four starts this season and showed definite promise, finishing third at Thirsk and second at Pontefract on his penultimate start.
His style of running suggested he was crying for a step-up in distance and he was tried over seven furlongs at Redcar last time. Connections reaped the benefits immediately, the son of Komaite landing a nursery in smooth style by three-quarters of a length from Thewhirling dervish. There seemed to be plenty of improvement to come and Dominaite can follow up here.
Petongski looks the one to be on in the Auction Maiden Stakes. Trained by David Barker, the gelding was a good four-length second to the promising Prizeman at York last month, tiring in the closing stages, having led after the two-furlong pole. He can only have improved for the run and should find this an easier prospect.
Carlys Quest can defy topweight in the day`s Showcase Handicap, the Rogerthorpe Manor Stakes at Pontefract. Jim Neville`s charge drops in class here having been set stiff tasks in many of his races this season.
Runner-up to Flossy in the Tote November Handicap at Doncaster last season, the sixyear-old gained his first victory in two years at Newbury in May, coming with a wet sail to defeat Morgans Orchard by three lengths. And he showed promise on his penultimate start at the same course when fourth behind Duchamp.
This looks a trappy contest but Carlys Quest should get the decent pace he needs and is worth taking a chance with.
Free Will can get off the mark in the Matty Bown Memorial Maiden Stakes.
At Brighton, Whistling Dixie can land his third victory in four starts in the Apprentices` Handicap. A winner at Pontefract and Lingfield, he can make the long trip from David Nicholls` Thirsk stable a profitable one.
