2:35 – Haydock – TIMEFORM JURY STAKES (REGISTERED AS THE JOHN OF GAUNT STAKES) (GROUP 3) (CLASS 1) (4yo+) Good 7f
Red Jazz has made 18 racecourse appearances to date and he has won on five occasions. The 5 year old bay horse has run at Group level on 13 of his runs, winning once in the Group 2 Victor Chandler Challenge Stakes at Newmarket in October 2010. His last appearance was also at Haydock before which he has run in Group races on 7 consecutive occasions with finishing positions of 3,1,3,5,4,2 and 3, which shows that he is a fairly consistent horse. His run at Haydock was back down at Listed level and he was able to make all to hold off the runner up and win by a neck.
He has run in Listed races four times, winning twice and finishing second once. He runs in a Group 3 race today and looks very solid in this grade as on his only two runs in the grade to date he has finished 2nd by a head and ¾ length respectively. Red Jazz runs over 7 furlongs this afternoon and this looks to be his ideal trip as he likes to run prominently, preferably from the front. He has run seven times over 7 furlongs and he has won three times and finished second on 4 occasions. Both of his Listed wins and his Group 2 win have come over this distance. In contrast he has run over 1 mile six times and his best efforts have been three third placed efforts suggesting that with his running style he does not get home over the extra furlong.
The going at Haydock is Good which are ideal underfoot conditions for Red Jazz as four of his five wins have come in Good and Good to Soft ground. In fact in nine runs on Good and Good to Soft going he has only failed to win or be placed on one occasion which was in a group 1 race over 1 mile.
He is ridden by Michael Hills today, who knows him very well as he has ridden him on 16 of his 18 starts. Michael rides Haydock well and has a 21% winning strike rate with 15 winners from 72 rides at the track over the last five seasons. Red Jazz has run just once at Haydock, which was his all the way win last time out.
Red Jazz’s prominent style of running will be a definite bonus when looking at the make up of the race and it is more than possible that he will be able to make all again as he did on his last run here. He is running at his best trip and in ground that will suit with a jockey who knows exactly how to ride him. Today could well be the day when this consistent performer achieves his second win at Group level.
