A Maiden Auction Stakes over 5f on good ground. Eight two year olds take part including seven colts and one filly. Three colts have race experience. The restricted nature of this race type indicates that those horses with form hold advantage.
Last year this race was won by Sarista, trained by David Barron. This filly proved victorious on her second start and far from disgraced when racing twice at Listed class.
First Bombardment, trained by David O'Meara, has raced twice and finished runner-up on both starts. This bay colt has been unlucky not to win but equally frustrating to backers who probably feel they should have collected by now. Make no mistake this son of Pastoral Pursuits has plenty of pace - enough to have most horses on the back foot.
He ran a sterling race on debut when competing in the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster, losing in a photo finish with Ravenhoe, who didn't have much luck second start when fourth behind the talented Gifted Master. The form of that first race is nothing out of the ordinary but it has been held up in some respects - the first five horses are likely to win this season.
Northern Hart Racing & Partner must have been optimistic when making his second start in the Scottish Brocklesby Stakes. Starting even-money favourite, with valuable race experience and seven-pound apprentice it would take a fair juvenile to beat this youngster. By all accounts, the winner, Tribesman, is reputed held in high regard by David Brown and owner John Fretwell. They have this colt penciled in for the Coventry Stakes (Group 2) at Royal Ascot. The third, Sixth Sense, has run well since, while the fifth, Smart Mover, has disappointed although may have been slightly flattered that first race.
First Bombardment's Achilles's heel is his enthusiasm to pull. He showed good pace at Musselburgh and probably done too much on the soft ground with a time almost eight seconds slow.
This April foal, who is still one day shy of his second birthday, was far too keen and pressed for the lead, then tired markedly in the final furlong. Doyle [jockey] had the sense to simply push hands and heels realising this colt had run his race and done well to hang on to second place. In truth, things didn't go his way that day and although unlikely to beat the comfortable winner that performance didn't show him to his best.
Daniel Tudhope takes the ride today and this race type and faster ground will help. He has a relatively wide draw which isn't ideal but the pace to gain a prominent position if wanted. After pulling too hard on both starts, especially the latter, it will be interesting to see what tactics connections employ. Will they try to gain an easy lead or sit in behind and hope to finish with purpose?
First Bombardment has been priced the tissue favourite on Sporting Life (11/8). Unless drifting in the betting, there is little meat on the bone. This colt sets the standard and if settling I would be surprised if he is beaten. The concern is that if he is too keen will he not finish the race? If struggling to do that you can almost guarantee that glint will shine in the chasing field and one will fancy their chance. At short odds you cannot afford to be overly generous with your money. This is a fascinating horse but at the odds I'd have to take a watching brief. If betting, lay your stake in running at short odds because if going clear you will not have to worry about the wheels falling off in the final furlong. I suspect this horse will take all the beating but others feature, too.
Ann Duffield has increased her string year on year and this season has thirty two-year-olds. Sun Hill Stables know the score with their juveniles and Risk Adjusted showed real promise on debut when finishing strongly. This Irish son of Bushranger out of a multiple-winning mare who ran once at Group 3 level.
This bay colt was purchased by Ann Duffiled at the yearling sales for 15,000 and looks a bargain buy. Often races at Redcar are pretty limited, however, the first three horses that day all seemed fancied and although that form is yet to be tested it could be fair. This horse ran well on his racecourse bow and was ridden, and whipped, in the closing stages, finishing with verve. That was encouraging.
While experience can transform a horse it is worth noting Risk Adjusted was outpaced mid race before running on. These characteristics could reappear today and it doesn't pay to think with that first race run it will not be a problem. It may not be the case but that is the gamble which must be factored. If Duffield's charge is outpaced while First Bombardment forges clear it may well be mission impossible to claw back the ground. The stable have fair win and place claims with fancied juveniles on their second start. I like this colt but wonder if a stiff five furlongs or six furlong would be better. If betting, I'd be tempted to bet in running at bigger odds because if struggling for pace then cross your fingers for a strong finish. He will finish well but you can't afford to give too much ground. Duffield's prospect holds each-way claims but I would have concerns about being outpaced mid race.
Association finished behind Risk Adjustment on debut and needs to find improvement. Best watched.
The nature of this race type affords prominence to form horses although a few debutantes are worthy of note.
Richard Fahey has a couple of debutantes, a course he holds a fair strike rate.
Imshi' Little Bro is an Irish bred son of first-season sire Lilbourne Lad out of a twice-winning mare who raced to Listed class and liked a trip. This bay colt cost 18,000 at the yearling sales.
The stable field Lady Argentum the only filly. This daughter of Kodiac out of a multiple-winning mare who was a fair horse. A February foal, she was sold at the yearling sales for 16,000 racing in the familiar silks of Middleham Park Racing. An extreme draw in stall one is not ideal as debutantes often run into space.
The betting is the best guide to their respective chances and if priced 8/1 and less hold fair win and place claims.
David Brown and John Fret field the Irish bred Sing Something. This grey colt is a February foal costing just £14,000 at the yearling sales purchased by the owner. The connections have a line with the favourite via Tribesman. The stable/owner combination have fair win and place claims if priced 13/2 & less. If the money comes for this horse it could be significant sign.
The oldest two year old in this field [26th Jan] is Excessable trained by Tim Easterby. This chestnut colt is sired by Sakhee's out of a twice-winning mare who liked to sprint. He cost £6,000 at the yearling sales when bought by the trainer. The stable have often used the garden racecourse as a starting point for a number of talented debutantes. It isn't beyond the realms this colt could be one of them although the general win rate of their horses making their debut is poor. Claims if priced 13/2 & less but unless fancied best watched.
Mr Lucas is sired by Le Cadre Noir out of a poor mare and cost £5,500 at the yearling sales.Peter Nivan isn't known as a two year old trainer and best watched.
Conclusion: First Bombardment is the most interesting horse. His pace could have most of these in trouble. This faster ground will help but his pulling is a concern. It is intriguing to consider what tactics will be employed. If settling, this twice-race juvenile has good claims. If priced about 2/1+ there is some meat on the bone but without question I would try to lay the stake in-running at big odds-on if possible. The horse to beat. Risk Adjustment looks a fair horse although the form has yet to be tested. I would have slight concerns this youngster may be outpaced mid race which would make life more difficult especially if the favourite gains an easy lead. He run well on debut but may be much bigger odds in running if tapped for toe. Definitely has each-way claims if prices allow. The Fahey pair are difficult to assess but worthy of respect if priced 8/1 & less. Sing Something is another debutante who has each-way claims if priced 13/2 & less. If seriously backed it would make more appeal. On balance, First Bombardment will take some beating and if settling could have these on the ropes.
The Scottish Brocklesby over 5f on good to soft going. Just six runners: fives colts and one filly for a respectable first prize of almost £10,000. This race was won last year by Mukhmal, trainer by Mark Johnston, a dual winner and highly tried colt unplaced in the Norfolk Stakes (Group 2), Molecolm Stakes (Group 3) & Flying Childers (Group 2). His best performance came at Sandown's Dragon Stakes (Listed) when second of four.
Johnston has started the juvenile Flat turf season in imperious form with his first three two-year-olds winning (Ravenhoe, Rah Rah & Burantino). Kingsley House Stable have an interesting recruit here with Sixth Sense, ridden by Joe Fanning. This chestnut colt, a son of Shamardal bred by Darley, in the ownership of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, is out of an unraced mare. It is interesting to note this April foal was originally entered to run in the Brocklesby Stakes (Doncaster), a contest won by the stable's Ravenhoe. This factor is all the more intriguing regarding David O'Meara's entrant First Bombardment, which finished runner-up behind the said Johnston victor. Sixth Sense is likely to be fancied in the betting, which is as much to do with Jonhston's flying start to the two-year-old season. As many bloggers have noted, you have to question whether this means the stable juveniles are likely to be poor value.
O'Meara's First Bombardment is owned by Northern Hart Racing & Partner. This son of Pastoral Pursuits is out of a twice-winning mare costing £18,000. This bay colt (not two until the end of the month) was quite fancied in the betting when contesting the Broclesby Stakes at Doncaster. He ran a sterling race when finishing second to Ravenhoe, looking the winner in the closing stages (touched big odds-on in-running) only to be denied in the last strides. First Bombardment was quite keen in the early part of the race, travelling well and a straightforward juvenile. Experience often brings a marked advantage over debutantes. In truth this horse sets the standard. However, it is worth noting that the form of the Brocklesby is yet untested. It could well be the case this horse will eclipse the opposition but it doesn't pay to imagine a juvenile's standard of ability until you can appreciate where it sits in the pecking order and at the very least has proven to have enough ability to win an average maiden. The Brocklesby featured less runners this year and only four juveniles showed ability. First Bombardment will be fit,savvy and primed to run a big race and the 7lb apprentice is no doubt on board to make this a winning day. Nevertheless, it pays to be cautious, especially at Stakes class because you can never quite tell the standard of opposition.
What are we to make of the other debutantes?
Brian Ellison fielded a horse in the Brocklesby (General Alexander) which showed promise and must give connection a fair line with their debutante, Mr Morse. This brown/roan colt is sired by Hellvelyn out of a multiple-winning sprint mare. This May foal was purchased as a yearling by Phil Martin for £34,000. The stable usually struggle to win with their debutantes although a betting move would bring more confidence.
David Brown and John Fretwell have made a great partnership when it comes to finding talented two-year-olds. Tribesman is a son of Equiano out of a poor race mare. This chestnut foal cost 12,000gns, later purchased at the yearling sales by Fretwell for £35,000. This stable's juveniles often go well with their debutantes and if priced 13/2 & less hold good win and place claims.
One of the outsiders is Zephyr Breeze trained by Noel Wilson. This son of Piccolo was purchased by the trainer at the yearling sales for 22,000GNS. The stable have few debut winners and although being Stakes entered is a decent sign I would advise a watching brief.
The only filly in the field hails from Bellwood Cottage Stables who made an impact last season with The Wow Signal (pictured) who at Group 1 and fancied to go well in the 2000 Guineas. Smart Mover is an Irish-bred daughter of Fast Company, purchased at the yearling sales for 35,000EUR by Richard Knight Bloodstock/Sean Quinn. Fillies are often smaller horses and fitter than the colts although can be outclass by bigger, stronger colts. The betting is the best guide to this juvenile. If priced 13/2 & less this horse has fair win and place claims.
Conclusion: Early two-year-old races can often be tricky affairs and stakes races can bring even more dilemma because they are often targeted by trainers who fancy they have a decent thoroughbred. Form at this time of year is a big positive and First Bombardment, being a narrow loser, ticks a lot of boxes. David O'Meara will be disappointed if this colt doesn't win. He may well win but it is difficult to make assessment of his first effort. Certainly the final furlong of the Brocklesby was pretty slow. On the positive side, this horse looks straightforward and sets the standard. It's always interesting to read the latest stable news via trainer websites & blogs. It is intriguing to see Mark Johnston field Sixth Sense who was considered for the Brocklesby but stablemate Ravenhoe won, representing Kingsley House. Johnston had three two-year-old runners that day - all winning and looking fair sorts. He made the headlines with his impressive trio and the stable have a bumper string of talent. Connections must have a line with First Bombardment and it could be telling if Sixth Sense starts favourite. The downside is that the bookmakers are likely to give little value. Tribesman and Smart Mover hail from stables that have a fair win and place strike rate when priced 13/2 & less. Mr Morse & Zephyr Breeze are best watched. A difficult race to assess with the favorites likely to be little value while all horses still have something to prove. A watching brief.
The first two-year-old race of the season. Great to see the Brocklesby opening proceedings. From an original 19 entrants we see a relatively small field of just nine juveniles: colts bar one filly. A mix representative of leading to small stables over 5f on good to soft going.
One name synonymous with the Brocklesby is Bill Turner. This year sees him field Just That Lord, a son of Avonbridge out of Lady Filly, who was similarly owned and trained. The mare ran in the silks of Mrs M S Teversham and a precocious type running six times in her formative season, winning her first three starts, then far from disgraced when visiting Royal Ascot in the Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2). This home bred chestnut colt is an April foal, so officially not quite two. Turner has excelled in this race and it is no understatement to say he usually sends his best two-year-old to compete. In the last seven races he has won this contest three times and runner-up twice. There is little doubt Just That Lord will be primed and ready, from a good family, and with a valuable 5lb claim from Ryan While I would be expecting a big performance.
By all account assessing the ability of debutantes relates to breeding and particularly trainer standards and performance.
Scott Dixon is a charismatic trainer who won this race last year with the talented Cock Of The North who fairly powered home in the hands of Matthew Hopkins (beating Bill Turner's Paddy Again). Cock Of The North proved a class performer competing at Group class including a narrow loss in Solario Stakes (Group 3), while finishing his season in the Racing Post Trophy (Group 1) behind Elm Park. In all honesty it would be a miracle for this year's candidate to reach such dizzy heights. Dixon's hope is Rupert Boy an Irish bred son of first-season sire Frozen Power out of an unraced mare. This chestnut colt was purchased at the yearling sales for 26,000gns by the trainer, running in the ownership of J Radford. Trainers are creatures of habit so it could be a sign of interest and 7lb apprentice David Parkes is a talented pilot.
First Bombardment is trained by David O'Meara in the silks of Northern Hart Racing & Partner. This son of Pastoral Pursuits is out of a twice-winning mare costing £18,000 at the yearling sales. This stable can ready a horse to win on debut although they feature a relatively poor strike rate. Money would give greater hope although a horse I would rather watch.
Brian Ellison doesn't have many debut winners but a shrewd trainer. General Alexander is a son of Zebedee out of a winning Irish mare. This grey colt is quite an early February foal, meaning he is just over two and purchased by the trainer at the yearling sales for £30,000. Mrs J A Martin is a good patron of Spring Cottage Stables (Northgate Lad won on debut as a two-year-old at Beverley). This horse is bred to be an early type and the betting is the best guide.
Mark Johnston had two horses entered to contest this race but Ravenhoe will be the first juvenile runner for Kingsley House. This chestnut son of Bahamian Bounty cost £16,000 at the yearling sales when purchased by the trainer for established owner David Abell. The mare was a prolific sprinter with Kevin Ryan, who won on debut at Doncaster. There is nothing in the breeding of this horse to put you off. Mark Johnston has a fair win rate with his two-year-olds making their racecourse bow although I find him something of an enigma. In general, his better juveniles appear in May and even then it can be very difficult to pick the wheat from the chaff. His horses either win easily or prove disappointing losers. I would have to take a watching brief.
James Given has a brace of runners: one colt and the sole filly of the field. He fielded Magic Florence in this race last year, who won in her two-year-old career although proved a frustrating individual at times.
Sir Dudley runs in the same ownership of The Cool Silk Partnership who know a good horse. This bay, an Irish bred son of Arcano, is the oldest in the field (10th February). He is out of a winning mare and cost £52,000 at the yearling sales and half-brother to Apostle. In general, the stable's juveniles are better on their second start although they can go well if fancied in the betting. If priced 4/1 & less I'd expect a big run but weak in the market a watching brief.
Given's saddle the only filly in the field Silk Bow for The Cool Silk Partnership. This daughter of Elusive City cost £31,000 when purchased by Athony Stroud at the yearling sales (10,000gn foal). The mare raced at three and won over a mile. The betting is the best guide and most probably the second string for Mount House Stables.
Teversham is handled by Chris Dwyer. This bay colt is a son of Kheleyf out of a twice-winning mare trained by D Cosgrove. An 8,000gn foal, purchased by the vendor. This juvenile races in the familiar silks of Strawberry Field Stud, connections of Basil Berry. The stable are a canny outfit but their two-year-old usually progress with racing. Unless seriously backed, best watched.
Last but not least is Tim The Taxi trained by Natalie Lloyd-Beavis, who was granted her trainer's licence in 2012. This bay colt is a son of Compton Place out of a winning mare trained by Rod Millman, similarly bred by The Pocock Family. Originally purchased as a foal for 8,000gns by Oliver St Lawrence Bloodstock, latterly by Tim Suttle as a yearling for 3,000gns. Best watched.
Conclusion: The beginning of the Flat turf season. The Brocklesby has been won by a few talented juveniles including Mind Games, Hearts Of Fire & Cock Of The North. Nineteen horses were entered for this race and those original entrants are worth noting. All Stakes race entrants/runners often prove up to winning maiden contests. With no form we have to use our experience to assess these. Bill Turner is always worth noting in the Brocklesby as he has made it his own. Just That Lord is bred to be precocious and fast. With a relatively small field the only negative may be the price. I wouldn't bet at short odds but if an each-way price must go well. The betting is key for most and money is never a bad sign. Sir Dudley would have sound win and place claims if priced 4/1 & less. Ravenhoe could be anything but Johnston's debutantes are so hit and miss I would watch this horse.
Review: Disappointing to see a small field, no doubt diluted by two other juveniles races on the same day - at least two other horses gave the Brocklesby a miss to compete at Kempton or Chelmsford City. Only four horses made any impact in this race: Ravenhoe, First Bombardment, General Alexander & Just That Lord. All horses entered for or running in this race are worthy of interest on their next starts. Stakes races are often a good source of talent. However, the form of these early two-year-old races can only be assessed with time. Certainly the final furlong was slow. Mark Johnston's Ravenhoe was quite well backed and not best away but ran to the line. The stable fielded all three juvenile winners on the day and they looked - physically - fair horses. This colt just held First Bombardment who touched below 1/10 in-running. David O'Meara's horse was a touch keen and always in a nice position just behind the lead. He lost nothing in defeat and looks a straightforward juvenile who should win. General Alexander had a slow start and then a touch outpaced, switching on the outside before switching back to the rail. Brian Ellison's juvenile wasn't pressed but ran on encouragingly. This colts should improve and not a million miles away from the first two. Just That Lord is a fair-looking colt and showed a professional approach, plenty of pace and looked to hold every chance until the closing stages when he showed his limitations or needed the run. It is difficult to assess horses at this early stage although he was ridden as if fit and ready. He may have go a stride too fast which could have told in the closing stages although on this evidence looked held. All four horses are likely to be short odds for their next start with valuable race experience. Until the form has been tested I would take a watching brief. Mark Johnston's winners at Kempton and Chelmsford City both caught the eye. For a filly, Rah Rah has size and scope with a fluent action. That was a tidy performance against Hannon's odds-on shot (Anwar). At Chelmsford City, Buratino looked very inexperienced, hanging and clueless, but beat the opposition without any fuss and is sure to improve for this first start. All three winners have hope of progressing to a higher level and set the standard for stakes race to come.
