The evening of Wednesday promises a lively showcase of All-Weather racing at Southwell, broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing, with several intriguing contests on the program. The highlight of the card is the Come Racing For Free 18th June Novice Stakes, a race that pits three untried colts against each other in what is expected to be a gripping duel.
First up is Goldinthesea, a colt whose recent change of trainer has sparked fresh interest. After spending time in the stable of Joseph O'Brien, the horse has now been transferred to the care of Ed Bethell. The youngster first caught the eye with a solid performance at Dundalk in January, and his credentials have been further bolstered by a subsequent victory from a stablemate, underscoring the quality of the No Nay Never sire line. With a pedigree that suggests both speed and stamina, Goldinthesea could prove to be a valuable asset for his new connections, offering the prospect of a productive future on the track.
The second contender, Penny Time, is another exciting prospect for trainer Hugo Plamer. The colt displayed a burst of acceleration at Southwell just a month ago, beating a former race winner into second place.
Penny Time is now looking to replicate that effort and claim his third consecutive win from three starts, a feat that would underline his growing reputation as a fast‑finishing runner capable of handling the tight, tactical nature of All‑Weather circuits. A third name on the card is Owen Burrows‑trained Sassicaia, a horse that has only made a single appearance on the Southwell surface, securing a win at Wolverhampton in December.
Like the other two, Sassicaia remains largely untested at this level, making him a mystery factor for punters. His limited exposure, however, does not preclude the possibility of a breakthrough performance, especially if he has been training well over the winter months. Adding further intrigue to the race is debutant Shadow Boxer, a colt purchased for €520,000 and representing the Victorious Forever operation.
While the price tag suggests high expectations, the market will ultimately decide how the betting public values this young horse. Shadow Boxer’s pedigree and investment hint at a potential to develop into a high‑class performer, but without prior race data, his true ability remains a question mark.
Beyond the Novice Stakes, the card continues with a Ladies’ Day feature on Sunday, 16 August, featuring the Fillies’ Handicap. This race brings together three fillies who have each won their most recent outing, setting the stage for a competitive showdown. Cool Molly heads the field with a three‑pound penalty after triumphing in the All‑Weather Vase Fillies’ Handicap at Lingfield twelve days earlier. That victory marked the third win of her career and the second in her last three starts, indicating a form curve that is decidedly upward.
Her recent performances suggest she possesses both the speed and the resilience needed to handle the demands of a handicap race at Southwell. Representing the famous Sheikh Mohammed Obaid colours is Vencedora, a lightly raced filly who presents a contrasting profile to Cool Molly. Trained by Karl Burke, Vencedora has only a single win to her name, earned in a three‑horse race at Newmarket in September.
This will be her first start of the season, and the question for her connections will be how well she has progressed over the winter break and whether she can match the race‑fit condition of Cool Molly. Rogue Citation, campaigned by The Rogues Gallery, mirrors Vencedora’s limited experience, having only two starts to date.
Her sole victory came in her most recent outing at Southwell in October, giving her a degree of familiarity with the track that could prove advantageous. The race will test whether her winter preparation has been sufficient to allow her to challenge the more seasoned Cool Molly.
The evening’s final feature is the Summer Socials Fillies’ Handicap at Southwell, where Seven Fires will look to secure a third consecutive win on just her fifth career start. The mare has already demonstrated versatility with two wins at Newcastle, first winning on debut in February and then coming from behind to claim a five‑furlong victory last month. Today she will be stretched to six furlongs, a step up that should suit her proven ability to handle a range of distances and ground conditions.
Also in the mix is Barefoot Beach, a top‑rated filly who has only raced twice. After finishing a close second at Kempton in her most recent run, she will be aiming to rebound to winning form. Her debut win over the same track and distance last September showed she possesses the class to compete at a high level, and her connections will be eager to see if she can translate that promise into another victory.
Zighy, trained by George Boughey, is another filly who has yet to break out of a third‑place finish in any of her five starts. Despite the lack of a win, she has consistently shown she can stay in contention, and a strong performance at Southwell could signal that she is on the cusp of a breakthrough. Additional races later in the program include a 6.30 meeting where Betelgeuse will seek another triumph over a new course and distance, while at Happy Valley the likes of Zac Purton, Harry Bentley, Hugh Bowman and Andrea Atzeni will all be featured in action, providing further excitement for racing enthusiasts. Overall, Wednesday’s All‑Weather card offers a blend of seasoned performers, promising newcomers, and horses stepping up in class or distance.
Whether you are a seasoned punter or a casual fan, the variety of storylines – from Goldinthesea’s trainer switch to Seven Fires’ quest for a hat‑trick – ensures there will be plenty to watch and discuss throughout the evening. Stay tuned to Sky Sports Racing for live coverage, in‑depth analysis, and the latest updates on each of these compelling races.