A Conditions Stakes race over 5f on good to firm going. Six two year olds takes part: three unbeaten, one placed and unseated rider plus a debutante from Hannon's stable.
Last year this race was won by Escalating, trained by Pat Eddery, on his third start. He disappointed on debut when made favourite in the Brocklesby Stakes, victorious on his second start at Kempton. This son of Three Valleys ran at Group 3 but disappointed.
A trio of winning debutantes make this a fascinating race - almost certainly the best race we have seen this juvenile campaign.
Gifted Master was tested at Stake class when racing at Newmarket on debut against the Brocklesby Stakes victor Ravenhoe. This son of Kodiac was pretty fancied in the betting [4/1]. The favourite didn't have much luck in running but it would have made little difference to the result because Hugo Palmer's colt surged clear of the field after being held up just behind the pace. He was coltish that day which often puts pay to a horse's chance. However, it was a sparkling display and by all account Dr Ali Ridha horse could have a glowing future.
Buratino was similarly stylish on his debut at Chelmsford City when winning readily by over three lengths. The form of that race has yet to be tested but the second and third both held entries for the Brocklesby Stakes and one cost a considerable amount at the yearling sales. Mark Johnston had a treble with his two year olds that day and all look good prospects. This son of Exceed And Excel was very inexperienced that day. Turning courses can be hard work for a horse learning his craft and in many respects that made his performance all the more outstanding. This bay colt is likely to improve a good deal for that first run and difficult to limit his ability. A talent who should be a worthy challenger to the favourite.
The last of the trio is Handytalk, who is trained by Rod Millman. This Irish son of first season sire Lilborne Lad was backed on debut at Winsdor when the stable fielded two horses, the other more fancied in the betting. Raj To Riches looked to have the aces up his sleeve but April foal nabbed him on the line. The form of that race doesn't look in the same class as the two mentioned. It is worth noting that Millman's two year olds are not pressed on debut and this youngster could well improve. On balance, I would take a watching brief.
Mark Usher's Arlecchino's Rock finished third behind Handytalk and needs to improve. Usher's horses usually come on for their racecourse bow and this colt looks up to winning this season. Another horse who is best watched although he, like the other juveniles, do not carry a penalty.
Interesting to see Aragon Knight making his return to racing after unseating his rider on debut at Newbury. Heather Main doesn't train many two year olds but this son of Kheleyf was well backed that day. That maiden often features a few decent juveniles. This looks a stiff ask and there is always a concern horses who show temperament will act in a similar manner. It is also true that a lot of horses who fluff their lines on debut come back all guns blazing. This bay colt has a lot to prove and best watched.
Richard Hannon has been relatively quiet this early season. It is intriguing they have Log Out Island making his debut at this level. This Irish bred son of Dark Angel is out of a twice-winning mare. He was purchased at the yearling sales by Ross & Peter Doyle Bloodstock for £95,000. This stable should always be respected with such a huge string of juveniles and the betting will give a good idea of the merit this horse is held. However, it would have to be significantly backed for me to view it as a worthy challenger and if weak in the betting is best left alone. It would be a supreme effort to win against this opposition.
Conclusion: A race to savior this early season - two potentially smart two year olds in the shape of Gifted Master - who was sparkling at Newmarket - and the untapped ability of Buratino who was clueless at Chelmsford City. I will be watching and enjoying this contest as a purist. Gifted Master would get the nod if pressed. Stakes races are a law unto themselves - never say never. It is unlikely Handytalk will tarnish the hopes of the major fancies. Arlecchino's Rock and Aragon Rock have a mountain to climb, while Log Out Island is set a stern test to beat such promising opponents on debut. All have it to prove. It looks a duel between Gifted Master & Buratino. Enjoy.
An EBF Stallions Maidens Stakes over 5f 34y on good ground. Twelve two year olds take part: nine colts and three fillies. Two juveniles have race experience with a first outing.
Last year, this race was won by Kasb, trained by John Gosden in the colours of Hamdan Al Maktoum. This colt went on to disappoint at Royal Ascot when competing in the Coventry Stakes (Group 2). He achieved an official rating of 95.
This race has been won by a number of talented horses. For all your latest trainer news visit Horse Trainer Directory.
Sixth Sense is a fair-looking juvenile who showed promise when finishing third in the Scottish Brocklesby. This son of Shamardal was fancied to go well that day and showed promise. The winner is held in high regard but difficult to use as a measure because he left the rest toiling in his wake. The fifth [Smart Mover] let the form down when unplaced at Ripon although I had fears she was slightly flattered when running on debut.
Richard Fahey has been in good form with his juveniles and *Sanaadh is of particular interest. This chestnut colt is a son of Exceed And Excel out of the exceptional Queen's Logic, who retired from racing unbeaten in five races taking the Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2), Lowther Stakes (Group 2), Cheveley Park Stakes (Group 1) & Fred Darling Stakes (Group 3). Jaber Abdullah is a fantastic owner who often finds bargain buys but this colt would have fetched a huge price if he had gone through the sales. Sanaadh held an entry for the Brocklesby Stakes and received another similar entry of late. These are confident pointers of ability and with such a regal pedigree is worthy of note.
Ginger Joe is the first two year old to representative for Peter Chapple-Hyam. This son of Medicean is out of an unraced mare. He cost £32,000 at the yearling sales. Chapple-Hyam is an star trainer of juveniles. His debut statistics detail a good strike rate with fancied runners. The betting is important and if priced 13/2 & less has good win and place claims.
Another top trainer dipping his toe into the two year old racing pond for this season is Brian Meehan who fields Harvard Man. This February foal, is a bay colt sired by Equiano out of a Grade 1 winning mare [Fabulously Fast]. This horse was bred by Newsell Park Stud and owned by The Honourable Earle I Mack. The tissue price suggests this horse will be unfancied in the betting but he would be of interest if strong in the market. Manton House Estate can win at more speculative prices [10/1 - 12/1] although very few over 16/1.
Charlie Appleby had a couple of two year olds race at Newmarket [yesterday] but neither showed much promise. Hawkbill is an American bred son of Kitten's Joy out of a mare who was a narrow loser on debut at Grade 2. Godolphin do not waver when it comes to money and this horse cost $355,000 at the Keeneland Yearling 2014 September Sales. I find this stable difficult to predict with debutantes but they field many winners. One for the shortlist.
Another Boy hails from Ralph Beckett's stable who can go well when making their racecourse bow. This home bred son of Paco Boy is out of a Group-raced mare [similarly owned].This colt was sent through the sales for £5,500 [bought in by vendor].
Interesting to see Marcus Tregoning making a brisk start to the juvenile season, this being the second runner. Thaqaffa is a bay son of Kodiac out of a poor mare. He was purchased by Shadwell Estate Company [racing in the familiar ilks of Hamdan Al Matkoum] for 80,000GNS at the yearling sales. This stable have a relatively poor strike rate with debutantes but they can win when priced 14/1 & less. A wide draw is never ideal for a two year old making on its first start and best watched.
Finally the three fillies. Richard Hannon has been a touch quiet this early season but this race has been a very good hunting ground over the years. It has been used as a stepping stone for Royal Ascot. It is never easy for a filly to beat colts. Ring Of Truth is a bay filly sired by Royal Applause out of a debut-winning mare trained by Sir Michael Stoute, placed at Listed class and unplaced at Group 3. Racing in the Royal silks, this filly is owned & bred by The Queen. This stable often send a fair sort to contest this race and if priced 13/2 & less has fair claims.
David Evans usually starts the Flat season all guns blazing but he has been a little more sedate this term. Sweet Taboo is sired by Approve out of a Listed-placed mare. This yearling was purchased by Wayne Clifford for 14,000eur.
Evans fields the once-raced filly Zeeoneandonly who trailed home last when making her debut at Windosr when looking second string. Will be a huge price if you fancy a speculative punt.
Aragon Knight & Sarky Jack are best watched.
Conclusion: Let the betting settle before jumping in unless you fancy something at big odds and anticipate a gamble. This race has been won by some decent juveniles over the years and a good few winners will come from this contest. This looks a tough race to call but a few horses are worthy of note. Sanaadh is exceptionally well bred and a couple of entries for stakes races suggests this colt will go well. He was entered for the Brocklesby which suggests he has been on the gallops and ready to go. Few trainers have debut statistics like Richard Fahey. Must run a big race. The betting is the best guide for the others and if priced 13/2 & less Hawkbill, Ginger Joe & Ring Of Truth hold fair claims. A race to take note for future winners.
*NR
