Minister to state his case
A full brother to Group One winner Medicean and half-brother to useful miler Moon Goddess, Michael Jarvis’ charge produced a pleasing performance when second on his racecourse debut in a strong division of the one-mile Wood Ditton Stakes at Newmarket.
He was a shade disappointing when third over the same course and distance next time out but proved that run to be a minor blip when winning a maiden at Nottingham last month, making all and never looking likely to relinquish the lead.
Minister Of State still has a long way to go if he is to emulate his brother, but should be capable of more than enough improvement to win today's event.
Blackheath will take some beating in the five-furlong Photofun UK Handicap at Hamilton.
Having gone close off the same mark in his previous three races, it was a little surprising when the bookmakers allowed him to be sent off at 22-1 at York last month – although the draw might have had something to do with that as he had all 19 rivals on the inside of him.
By ploughing a lone furrow up the stands rail he avoided losing any ground and never looked like being caught once hitting the front at the two-furlong pole.
Despite being raised 6lb for that success, Dandy Nicholls’ veteran will need to earn a substantial hike in the weights if his engagement in Goodwood’s extremely competitive Stewards’ Cup is to be fulfilled.
To that end, it seems fair to assume that connections will be pulling out all the stops between now and the first week of August.
