'Zest' for success continues at Southwell today in the Maiden Auction Stakes over seven furlongs of fibresand; another eight-race programme runs in tandem with NH racing at Taunton/Ludlow but, later, all-weather aficionados are again catered for with the obligatory 'Wednesday-nighter' on Kempton polytrack.
Plenty of variety and betting opportunities, none better than Zaza Zest, a Richard Fahey-trained juvenile which will be attempting to make it fifth time lucky when encountering the 'deep stuff' for the first time.
This isn't a question of whether Zaza Zest will be suited to underfoot conditions, Fahey is a not a guesser and doesn't leave any stone unturned in his unquenchable thirst for maximisation; what a season this 'winning machine' has enjoyed, again!
On my time-handicap Zaza Zest is clear 'best-in' judged on her close third to Alaskan Wing in a nursery over six furlongs of 'soft' around Catterick; subsequently she finished runner-up to Lyfka on Wolverhampton Tapeta in a similar race, beaten nine lengths!
The winner appeared extremely unlucky a few days later when attempting to defy a penalty at Dunstall Park and, coincidentally, is declared for the five-runner nursery tonight!
And so Zaza Zest is running on a 'foreign' surface and going further; hopefully her doubters will prefer claims of Vivre La Reve and Fast Scat thus making a price for Tony Hamilton's mount.
Over the same course and distance Yard Of Ale is worth chancing in the ten-runner Maiden three-year-old Stakes, a dreadful race; Graham Gibbons rides!
Finton Friend attempts to recoup recent Wolverhampton losses in the seven furlongs nursery at Kempton and is blinkered for the first time; will the 'rogue's badge' work?
Charles Hills' charge was a disappointment last month, following three runs to qualify for handicaps, but should go close against token opposition; Reflation is the only possible TH danger.
Not surprisingly Lyfka has been 'clobbered' by the handicapping system but will be short-priced and will therefore be my 'lay of the day' because improvement is needed.