*Silk Bow made her debut in the Brocklesby Stakes where James Given had two entrants. This daughter of Elusive City cost £31,000 at the yearling sales. Considering this juvenile wore the second colours for The Cool Silk Partnership it isn't beyond the realms this bay could improve. Silk Bow showed good pace to the point of pulling before tiring rapidly in the final furlong to finish eighth. There is a chance she simply ran too fast rather than a naturally pacey type. Tom Eaves takes the ride. A wide draw isn't a positive but connections are likely to make the most of her experience and may even attempt to lead. The Brocklesby Stakes is a fair pointer and this horse could improve on that initial start. She may have a chance at speculative odds [tissue price on Sporting Life is 7/1 - I would want 14/1+ to even think about betting]. Could touch short odds in-running if gaining a lead and may stop once again. [*NR]
There is an interesting mix of debutantes.
Karl Burke is one of my favourite trainers and Dressed In Fur is the first juvenile to race this season. This daughter of Excellent Art cost 19,000eur at the yearling sales. The owner, Hubert John Strecher, has done well with Spigot Lodge. The stable juveniles have fair win and place claims when priced 13/2 & less.
Kevin Ryan fields his first runner for this age group, a chestnut filly called Company Asset out of a mare who won on debut and raced at Listed class. She cost £22,000 at the yearling sales. Hambleton Racing Ltd [associated with stable] have had plenty of success with their recruits Their debutantes feature average win and place rates with very few horses winning when priced over 7/1. Drawn in stall one and Jamie Spencer in the plate are positives.
Kingsley House have made a fine start to the Flat turf season - winners and nice types to boot. Delizia is an Irish bred daughter of Dark Angel out of an unraced mare cost £48,000 at the yearling sales. This filly was born in February and by one day the oldest in the field [Krystallite]. I find the stable difficult to assess on debut and always take a watching brief unless something really catches my eye.
Krystallite is a home bred filly from Scott Dixon's stable. This chestnut daughter of Kheleyf held an entry for the Scottish Brocklesby Stakes, which may be a sign of confidence. This yard can find a winner or two but difficult to assess on debut and feature a poor strike rate. Best watched.
Bond Bombshell is trained by David O'Meara who fielded the second in both Brocklesby races in First Bombardment, to give a measure for this filly. She's a cheap yearling buy at £1,200.
Jaber Abdullah is an owner of note who buy their juveniles well, often bargain buys. Zahrat Narjis is a daughter of Exceed And Excel out of a classy mare [Nijoom Dubai] who was trained by Mick Channon. She won the Albany Stakes (Group 3) at two, unplaced at Group 1 at three. This horse was withdrawn from the yearling sales. Fahey has done well with a couple of juveniles winning on debut and this stable have win and place statistics which eclipse most [in fact their first and second start win rate with fancied horses is about the same, which is very unusual]. A major contender.
Manhattan Skyline is best watched.
Go On Gal, is trained by Julia Feilden who isn't known for two year old winners, especially so on debut. Best watched.
Conclusion: Interesting race and good to see a larger field. A fair number of what I would call two year old horse trainers. Silk Bow is the only filly with experience and she has pace. A wide draw isn't ideal but I would imagine they will make a bold bid for the lead. She could be a speculative if drifting to huge odds but that looks unlikely. Manhattan Skyline & Go On Gal are best watched. Dressed In Fur, Company Asset, Delizia, Bond Bombshell and Zahrat Narjis all have claims if priced 13/2 & less. The latter makes most appeal on breeding and trainer stats.
Silk Bow - Non Runner