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The 2003-2004 results are at the bottom
of the page for comparison |
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JUNE 5th SUMMING UP
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A fascinating edition of the race and more overall potential than recent
years and the majority have prospects of being competitive at some level.
Assertive gets his chance to show us what he's really made
of and if it doesn't happen here then we probably already seen what he
can do. He made a good debut by trainer 2005 standards in a modest race
at Kempton. Losing a little ground at the start he showed a good middle
race 'surge' to take him through to the lead against a small, limited filly
and a tenderly ridden King Malachi (whose jockey had tomorrow on his mind).
He got tired in the last furlong and the little filly rallied (not re-rallied)
to go on.
He went to Salisbury as odds-on favourite on firm ground, with a strong
tailwind and got taken off his feet by specialist 5f sprinters. He still
showed some of his ability to gather himself for an effort after halfway
but it never got him beyond 4th. He steps up 6f and is well drawn. Now
is his chance to show us if can travel with a 6f pace and make an effort
to lead after 2f out.
It Assertive isn't going to redeem himself then there are a range of others
with solid credentials to be competitive. The most interesting may well
be Charles Street Lad who was a relatively expensive yearling for
his sire who has made a good start in his first season. He was a very likeable
physical type at the sales and quite highly rated with the scope to develop
through his 2yo career. His trainer has had two first time out winners
and a second from four runners so far. He assesses the 2yos before they
run so the market should be a solid indicator of how well he has fulfilled
his sales potential.
Of the others the performance of Kingscape will be informative.
He was reasonably expensive at the sales but B2yoR couldn't see what what
the money was for and he was given a lower rating. He makes a relatively
early debut for a very good and reliable trainer and that normally means
an average 2yo winner at least. If he were running here and with a range
of other trainers it wouldn't mean anything. But if Mr Fanshawe thinks
he's worth a go now then you have to be a little worried.
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RACE QUALITY:
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Just an average quality overall with usually a few moderate to average
winners amongst the beaten horses. The 2004 race was moderate and allowed
a 20/1 debut winner who had just the usual debut competence of an R Millman
2yo.
The 2003 race was mostly of similar quality but with three useful+ 2yos
mixed in. Their finishing positions are instructive as to what can happen
in these big field maidens. The superior Privy Seal had made a typically
moderate looking midfield debut for J Gosden at Newbury but looked a different
horse to comfortably win the race (worth thinking about in terms of the
9 unplaced debuts he's had in 2005 which have already yielded two STO winners).
The later Group 3 winner Pastoral Pursuits managed to find a way through
to second but only just in front of some moderate maidens. The useful Colour
Wheel lost 4 lengths at the start and had a jog around at the back.
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TRAINERS:
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R Hannon (Assertive) has had four runner in the race in the last
two years with only one of them a, minor, later winner. None of the four
rated 70+ and Assertive has achieved a similar level of form to the best
of those runners in his two starts to date.
He won the race in 2002 with the useful Pinkerton who beat a moderate field
by 10L with the help of his previous experience.
B Meehan (Johnny The Fish) has run three in the race in the last
two seasons with one of them a minor winner rating under 70. The other
two have been poor types and one was claimed from him NTO out of the Rous
Seller after finishing 5th.
M Prescott (City Chancer & Wicked Daze) has two runners with
Wicked Daze appearing to be the first string with S Sanders riding. Both
are poorly drawn. He has had one runner in the race in 2003 with a filly
that ran 15th and showed improved placed form over 8f from 4TO in handicaps.
He started running his 2yos a week ago and has run one most days since.
The record is :-
Aspen Falls (Mon) 2nd 10/1, Redcar;
Outlook (Wed) 2nd at 7/4f from 11/4, Wolverhampton;
Quote Unquote (Thu) 2nd at 6/1 from 3/1, Brighton;
Archimboldo (Fri) 12th at 14/1, Haydock.
Dream Fantasy (Sat) 1st at 13/2 (Opened 9/2 to 4/1 then out to 13/2
as three others backed)
Violette (Sun) 1st 8/11f in a weak Bath Fillies' race.
Other than possibly Dream Fantasy they have only had to produce a rating
in the range 55-65 to win or place. They haven't 'ironed out' the opposition
in good races.
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SIRES:
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First season sires Beckett
(Norman Beckett), King
Charlemagne (Kingscape), Kalanisi
(City Chancer), Mull Of Kintyre
(Charles Street Lad) & Observatory
(Just Observing) have runners.
Mull Of Kintyre has the best record of all first season sire in terms of
individual winners with 5.
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SALES REVIEWS:
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Charles Street Lad rated 85, Average size but with heavy build
and good scope to develop through his 2yo season. In proportion, strong
overall and a balanced mover. Very likeable.
Cool Sting rated 77. Above average size and heavily built. Needed
to develop but looked like a solid sprint 2yo.
Assertive rated 71 with an average chance of being a strongly competitive
2yo. He was just above average size with a good build in front although
lighter behind. He was very mature, especially in front and this was a
notable positive.
Night Groove rated 67 with an above average chance of being a 2yo
winner at his level.. Above average size and with medium build with some
negatives in particular being a little narrow. [Rated as the best one in
a run of poor types in the session which can lead to over rating those
with at least some positives.]
Wicked Daze rated 66 with just about an average chance of being
a 2yo winner at his level. Average size and just above average build and
slightly lengthy. Did not look an obvious 2yo and therefore a little surprising
to see him run in early June.
Just Observing rated 63 with a slightly below average chance of
being a 2yo winner. Smallish and just under average build he lacked muscle
and notably physically immature.
Kingscape rated 58. Small, lengthy for size and just an average
build. A moderate mover.
Johnny The Fish rated 57 with a slightly below average chance of
being a 2yo winner at his level. He was lengthy & short and physically
immature. He looked more of an 8f+ galloper for 3yo development.
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