2:25 Goodwood
The 2:25 at Goodwood is the HKJC World Pool Thoroughbred Stakes, a Group 3 contest over a mile on good to firm ground for three-year-olds. A compact but high-quality field of seven lines up, with the KTB Fit scores highlighting a clear top four headed by Talk Of New York on 70. The race features several smart performers stepping up or returning to the mile trip, and with the pace shape rated unclear due to limited run-style evidence, the ability to settle and produce a turn of foot could prove decisive.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape is unclear with low confidence, as there is not enough run-style data across the field to form a firm view. Shayem is the only horse noted as prominent and likely to race handily on or close to the lead, while Five Ways is the sole confirmed hold-up type. How the race unfolds will therefore hinge on whether any other runners press on early or if a steady gallop allows the prominent and mid-pack performers to dominate; the key question is whether the lack of established pace will lead to a tactical affair or a more even test over the mile.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Talk Of New York KTB Selection70/100Smart performer with a strong recent record of two wins and two places from his last four starts.
- 2Catullus59/100Smart performer who has already won here over 7f from just one visit to Goodwood.
- 3Shayem56/100Smart performer who has won three of his six starts at this trip including a clear success last time.
- 4Saber Strike55/100Smart performer who looked the part when winning on debut and has since shown strong placed form in two Group races.
- 5Andab53/100Useful performer who has been knocking at the door this season with three seconds from his last five starts.
- 6Yazin51/100Yazin is a useful performer who has won at this trip and showed smart form when landing a Listed race at Newmarket on his penultimate start.
- 7Five Ways47/100Useful performer who has not really kicked on since a promising start to his career.
The contenders
Talk Of New York KTB Fit 70/100
Talk Of New York arrives with strong recent form, recording two wins and two places from his last four starts, and has already won over today's mile trip. Drawn in stall 4, he looks well placed to track the early action, and first-time headgear is now fitted in what is the only real unknown. The Charlie Appleby yard posts a 22% strike rate at Goodwood with an A/E of 1.02 from 206 runs, while William Buick is 18% from 620 rides here with an A/E of 1.03. Trainer and jockey combined show 837 wins from 2825 rides for a 30% strike rate and A/E of 0.95. The colt is rated a smart performer and is the clear KTB Selection.
Catullus KTB Fit 59/100
Catullus is a smart performer who has already won here at Goodwood over 7f from a single visit to the track. He has shown strong form on good to firm ground, winning once and placing twice from three runs, although his latest effort resulted in a disappointing tenth. The trip is an unknown that could suit or expose him as he steps up to a mile. Trainer Charlie Appleby holds a 22% strike rate at Goodwood with an A/E of 1.02 from 206 runs, while Billy Loughnane is 16% from 70 rides here with an A/E of 1.12. The pair combine for 32 wins from 87 rides at a 37% strike rate and A/E of 0.94.
Shayem KTB Fit 56/100
Shayem is a smart performer who has won three of his six starts at this trip, including a clear success last time out. He handles good to firm ground, with one win from one run and a placed effort, and arrives in decent form after a solid second in a handicap the run before. Usually racing prominently and on or close to the lead, he could take up a handy position early. Trainer K R Burke has a 10% strike rate at Goodwood from 239 runs with an A/E of 0.86, while Clifford Lee is 8% from 50 rides here with an A/E of 0.76. The pair combine for 391 wins from 2464 rides at a 16% strike rate and A/E of 0.92.
Saber Strike KTB Fit 55/100
Saber Strike is a smart performer who looked the part when winning on debut and has since shown strong placed form in two Group races. He now steps up to 1m for the first time, which asks a new question, while first-time headgear is another unknown. The colt has won once and placed once from two runs on good to firm. Trainer William Haggas posts a 20% strike rate at Goodwood with an A/E of 0.99 from 434 runs, and Tom Marquand is 12% from 450 rides here with an A/E of 0.9. The pair combine for 439 wins from 2046 rides at a 21% strike rate and A/E of 0.91.
The rest of the field
AndabKTB Fit 53/100
Andab is a useful performer who has been knocking at the door this season with three seconds from his last five starts. He steps up to a mile for the first time today having already placed at the trip without winning, while first-time headgear is another unknown; Goodwood form reads just a modest sixth on his only previous visit and the trainer's 10% strike rate at the track from 21 runs adds no extra confidence.
YazinKTB Fit 51/100
Yazin is a useful performer who has won at this trip and showed smart form when landing a Listed race at Newmarket on his penultimate start. He did not fire at Group level last time but now returns to calmer waters with first-time headgear; the yard has a 15% strike rate at Goodwood from 146 runs while Ryan Moore takes the ride, though the colt remains unproven on good to firm ground.
Five WaysKTB Fit 47/100
Five Ways is a useful performer who has not really kicked on since a promising start to his career. He steps up to 1m for the first time today which asks a fresh question, while this is also his first run at Goodwood; the yard has a 12% strike rate here from 852 runs and the colt usually races held up.
KTB verdict
Talk Of New York stands out as the KTB Selection. He boasts a strong recent record with two wins and two places from his last four starts, has already won over the mile, and looks well drawn in stall 4 with the only question being first-time headgear. The selection is a smart performer from a yard and jockey combination that know their way around Goodwood. His main dangers are Catullus, who has already won here and shown strong form on good to firm, and Shayem, who arrives in decent form after a recent success at this trip and could make the running.
KTB Selection Talk Of New York
This is the narrative read of the 2:25 Goodwood. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Goodwood racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is making its first appearance in headgear?
Talk Of New York, Saber Strike, Andab and Yazin are all wearing first-time headgear.
Which runner has previous winning form at Goodwood?
Catullus has won here over 7f from one visit to the track.
Who is the only horse with a prominent run-style noted?
Shayem is noted as prominent and usually races handily on or close to the lead.
Which horse is the only confirmed hold-up type in the field?
Five Ways is noted as usually held up and producing its effort late.
Which trainer has the strongest strike rate at Goodwood in this race?
Charlie Appleby has a 22% strike rate at Goodwood from 206 runs.
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