Great to see the new Flat turf season under way.
A couple of two-year-old races to review. It's very early days to try and come to any conclusions although My Boy Bill won the Brocklesby Conditionals Stakes with ease. A good-looking gelding by Dutch Art he was quite a costly yearling at 65,000gns. However, that looks a wise purchase. A half-brother to the smart Penitant he comes from a multi-winning family with scope to improve with racing.
It's a positive how easily he was switched-off at the back of the field. That is key to many a talented juveniles - finishing a race. Mick Easterby isn't renowned for having two-year-old debutante winners. In fact, such is its rarity it may well speak volumes for this youngster. It is intriguing there was substantial money for this bay (10/1 - 7/1). There is little doubt in my mind they knew this youngster had an abundance of ability but I get the feeling they had no intention of pressing any buttons and if a win came it would be on natural ability. For that reason I would imagine they were quite philosophical about the day win or lose.
Interestingly Easterby commented: ''I told the owners not to back the gelding, despite being the most expensive in the field, as he did not think he would be forward enough.''
Easterby jnr said: "We had a big discussion whether to run or not as we like him a lot, but Brocklesby winners rarely progress through the season and the rest of his family turned slightly shifty. It could do him more harm than good. We came here for a hands and heels introduction but he obviously has so much ability. We also came here for the nice ground.''
''Mick's upset because we told the owner we didn't think he'd win."
My brother reminded me of a similar early-season winner for the stable from many moons ago. A number of race fans may remember Poolesta. You have to blow the dust from the archives of 1991 to find her debut victory at York over the minimum trip. She, too, was fancied in the betting on her racing bow, priced 11/2, winning by a head. A true talent, she went on to be placed in the Lowther Stakes (Group 2), Moyglare Stud (Group1) and a consistent Pattern-race performer at two and three with total winnings of £66,736 and official rating of 106.
It is intriguing to consider whether he was gelded for being a difficult juvenile to handle because he was coolness itself at Doncaster. However, Easterby gave some concern about the future saying: '' the rest of his family turned slightly shifty.''
Bred by Cheveley Park Stud, there will no doubt be a few trainers wishing they had this prospect in their team.