Michael Blanshard doesn't train many two-year-olds but he is a handler who knows a good horse when he sees one. Stellarta nearly sprang a surprise on debut. That was a surprise to most punters rather than connections who I'm pretty sure fancied their chances. This bay filly was a bargain buy at 5,000gns. A daughter of Sakhee's Secret out of talented mare who won the Cherry Hinton (Group 2), runner-up in the Moyglare Stakes (Group 1) & Cheveley Park Stakes (Group 1). She concluded her career in the 1,000gns. This April foal didn't lack experience on debut - which takes some work on a turning course - and loomed up with victory in mind. In truth, she was probably a touch unlucky to be opposing Thewandofu who rallied in equally determined style to grab a win. That was a fair effort and if improving a length or two could be a tough nut to crack. If backers get their teeth into Emperor's Hope, she could be a superb each way wager if odds allow. [Unlikely]
Razor Quest hails from a trainer I have a lot of time. Philip McBride is someone worth noting with juveniles on their second start. This son of Virtual gets in this race off a handy weight being a 2,200gns yearling buy, owned by the trainer. This bay colt was beaten a long way on debut but the winner has made it two from two and this youngster ran on with some purpose and likely to improve a good deal for his racecourse bow. He will be primed for a big run and could make a very good each way selection.
Richard Hannon has such a powerful string of two-year-olds that their juveniles should always be respected. Emperor's Hope was a £17,000 purchase by bloodstock agents Peter & Ross Doyle who do wonders for this stable. This bay filly is a daughter of Holy Roman Emperor out of an old but talented mare who was originally trained by Peter Walwyn. She won on debut over 5f for Hamdan Al Maktoum and highly tried at two. Winning the Queen Mary (Group 3) at Royal Ascot, placed in the Lowther (Group 2) & far from disgraced in the Cheveley Park Stakes (Group 1) display a true talent . Hannon's newcomers can be difficult to assess but by any standards this filly looks a good buy. The betting is the best guide - the shorter the price the better the chance. A wide draw is not ideal.
Island Kingdom may improve for this step up in distance. It is difficult to assess the form of the Goodwood race. In ways it looks limited but form can make fools of you at times. Trainers often send their better juveniles to grade 1 courses and it is encouraging to note this cheap buy has been entered for a Stakes race. On balance, I would take a watching brief.
Of the others, Dark Phantom, Society Diva, Tidal Beauty & *Clapperboard are probably best watched.
Bold Max will have claims at nursery level.
Conclusion: A fascinating contest. For a restricted race type there are a couple of bargain buys from talented race mares. It could be wise to let the market settle before betting, especially with regard to Emperor's Hope who may be the foundation to this race. If Hannon's well-bred filly is strongly fancied she should be respected although a couple of the form horses could make intriguing each way selections if prices allow. Stellarta ran a cracking race on debut and could improve a length or two. This course holds no fears and if touching an each way price it would be hard to see her out of the frame. Razor Quest needs to improve on his debut run but that looks guaranteed. This stable are excellent with juveniles on their second start and he will be primed for a big run. I'd be tempted to have a few quid each way, especially if touching speculative prices.
*NR