Friday 13 May 2011

1:30 York (13th May)

The first Listed race of the season for fillies over 5f.

Miss Work Of Art will be the focus of many people's attention after beating Magic City at Ascot - a colt who's fancied to win the Coventry at Royal Ascot. Richard Fahey is clearly delighted with the progress of this daughter of Dutch Art. She won easily on debut after taking time to find her stride. That was no more than a fair race but she won in the style of a classy juvenile. There is much to like about this filly although it pays to be careful backing any juvenile in a competitive race. York is a very speedy course and it could be the case this youngster may struggle to go the early pace if it is frantic. However, Miss Work Of Art is likely to finish well. Connections have detailed that 6f is more suiting and that point is worth noting. Potentially this £29,000 yearling buy could win in style and propel herself as a leading contender for the Queen Mary (Group 2) at Royal Ascot. At restrictive odds I would rather watch and dream of what might be.

Tim Easterby knows a decent two-year-old and should always be respected at York. He is additionally worthy of note when he steps his juveniles up in class. I was very impressed with *Queen's Revenge on debut at Ripon. To fall out of the stalls and be many lengths adrift, then cruise through the field without being pressed, and win a shade cosily without David Allan having to reach for his whip caught the eye. How far could she have won with a level start? This attractive daughter of Multiplex has size and scope to improve with racing and could be an exciting prospect. Alejandro, who this filly beat on debut, ran respectably the other day [York] and Queen's revenge was engaged in that race but Easterby has favoured this contest. Considering Ponty Acclaim ran so well it speaks well for Queen's Revenge. As with all unbeaten juveniles, limitation and potential are two sides of the same coin. I will be cheering Queen's Revenge home and although a tough race to call it wouldn't be a surprise to see Henry Ponsenby's two-year-old run a big race.

Of the others, Bubbly Ballerina has bundles of natural speed and could well have many of these struggling to keeps tabs over 4f. On debut, she weakened at the finish and had no answer to Redair who ran with credit in the Lily Agnes at Chester. Bailey's representative will need to improve to be a threat in this grade and both of these fillies - in truth - do not look the class to fight out the finish.

Pyman's Theory will have her supporters. Tom Dascombe has been in great form with his juveniles - firing in the winners - and this daughter of Exceed And Excel ran out an impressive winner at Leicester. That was a fair race although beyond the second, who has a fraction of ability, it wasn't the strongest of races. She looked to run her race on debut which slightly tempers enthusiasm. Pyman's Theory - like many in this field - has potential and there could be more to come.

Sweet Chillie has plenty of pace and won with the minimum of fuss at Pontefract. That was no more than an average race. On balance, this daughter of Intikhab improved for her debut run at Ripon, which didn't set the highest level. Barron's two-year-old has potential but may needs to improve again.

Mick Channon was singing the praises of Princess Banu when interviewed by RUK after his second juvenile winner at York's meeting. She made the most of her experience at Newmarket and in many ways that was the difference between winning and losing. This filly is very small and on looks I would have major doubts that she can live with these talented youngsters. 

Vocational won a so so maiden at Warwick but needs to improve from that effort. While Red Hearts is likely to be outclassed.

Conclusion: The first two-year-old Listed race of the season. Many of these fillies have hopes of taking this race and acknowledged as a leading fancy for Royal Ascot. Although I have assessed the likely ability of many, it is worth noting that even those who may not have won the most competitive maidens must be respected. It is never easy to conclude the limitation/potential of a winning juveniles. However, the two fillies which stand out for me are Miss Work Of Art & Queen's Revenge. There was something about the performance of the latter on debut at Ripon which caught my attention. Pyman's Theory & Sweet Chillie have potential and worthy of consideration. An exciting race.

HCE: ''Quite a competitive race but disappointing that Queen's Revenge was withdrawn earlier in the day. Another gutsy performance from Miss Work Of Art. Fahey's juvenile ran on well and may have idled in front or coming to the end of her tether? She isn't the biggest but a determined two-year-old and cannot be knocked with three wins. Vocational & Bubbly Ballerina are fair juveniles. Sweet Chillie ran on with real encouragement and could be a talent at 6f.''