DATE |
PROFILE/COMMENTS |
May 1st: Newmarket
5f Maiden |
Bred by Darley Stud and owned by Sheikh Mohammed's son.
Sire has had an increased number of 2yos runners in 2003-4 (possibly due
to the success of Fantastic Light). He gets winners at all distances although
5f winners are rare.
The dam was unraced as a 2yo and started favourite for the Irish 1000 guineas
on her second run after winning a maiden. She was well beaten and eased
and only had one later run as a 3yo. She is well bred.
The trainer does not strongly target 2yo racing and has said part-jokingly
that he's 'the worst 2yo trainer in the country'. This is nonsense of course
and he brings the same planning and consistency to 2yo racing as he does
overall.
This is a very early debut run for him and his earliest debuts in 2003-4
have included FTO winners. He plans STO runs with most 2yos and those expected
to win on debut normally have a Listed+ race target within 21 days. Not
obvious where this debut would fit in with that given that Royal Ascot
is more than a month away.
In summary a very good pedigree but probably better for 6f+. The unusual
early debut suggests either this one is a complete natural or the trainer
has pressing forward at the owner's request. We have already seen an example
of that for the same owner with the poor debut by Cover Drive for M Bell.
Given the lack of an obvious 'next step' race this is most likely to be
a development debut rather than a win attempt. Profile [68]
|
May 1st: Newmarket
Post Race |
16/1 fifth favourite and the trainer's first 2yo runner of the season.
His earliest runner in the last three seasons have been My Personal Space
(2003, May 25th 1st at 10/1), Master Cobbler (2004, June 26th 1st at 16/1,
ran two others in the same race) and this one. So given the unusually early
debut we can assume he had assessed this one at home and knew it was ready
and useful (although this knowledge doesn't seem to transmit to the betting
ring with this stable). As a general point it is worth noting that the
follow up debuts after his first runner are 2yos of variable quality and
only the very best types tend to win FTO. In that context it will be interesting
to see how Titus Maximus performs on his debut three days after this one.
Looked a medium sized and ready type and one of the fittest and readiest.
Powerful built behind although a little weaker in front. Drawn 2 near the
rail and broke well to track the pacemaker and within a half length of
the leader at halfway. These two quickened together from after halfway
and had the advantage of the rail and the best position to start the sprint-for-home
from. Quickened up with Northern Empire and looked held until that opponent
slightly faded late uphill. Showed a good attitude to stretch out late
to win.
A debut run of this quality by a trainer's 2yo suggest he will be able
to rate 100+ during the season. One slight niggle would be that his earliest
debut winners in 2003-4 have not progressed as well as his later season
FTO winners. His debut winners normally have their STO run mapped out which
is usually in a Listed+ race within 14-21 days. Given that 'Royal Ascot'
is further away that that it will be interesting to see where he runs before
that. Estimate [77]
|
June 14th: York
6f Group 2 |
The form of his debut run is solid without looking superior .The second
has been placed in a Listed 5f race since and runs in a maiden race the
day before. The third has won an Irish maiden since and was entered
in this race but AP O'Brien has chosen to run two others. The fourth failed
in a maiden on firm ground and the fifth won a strong Hamilton maiden but
does not run here.
Steps up to 6f and trainer's debut winners usually show good improvement
STO although normally off shorter breaks. Profile [98]
|
Horse |
Run # |
Date |
Course |
Dist |
Gng |
RcCls |
RcTyp |
SP |
Postn |
[Est] |
Run Style |
Hdgr |
Notes |
LEAGUE CHAMPION | 1 | 01/05/2005 | NMKT | 5 | GFF | 4 | M | 16 | 1-10 | 78 | P2 | | PHfHf, Qkn-2, KONLt |
LEAGUE CHAMPION | 2 | 14/06/2005 | YORK | 6 | GF | 1 | Gp2 | 14 | 7-14 | 86 | T32 | | -2+1f&Hf, SOutpcd-2f, SQFd-1f+ |
LEAGUE CHAMPION | 3 | 16/07/2005 | NWBY | 7 | GF | 3 | Cnd | 3.3 | 3-8 | 87 | B | | SQFre, -4+Hf, GdPrg-2f, kon-1f |
LEAGUE CHAMPION | 4 | 27/07/2005 | GDWD | 7 | S | 1 | Gp2 | 14 | 5-7 | 85 | HT4 | | ModAvPc, -2Hf, CentStr, Pon-2f |
LEAGUE CHAMPION | 5 | 20/08/2005 | CHES | 6.1 | GFG | 2 | CnC | 0.91 | 1-4 | 70 | T3 | | 2f Spr, T1+Hf, Ef-1+, KO, QCmf |
LEAGUE CHAMPION | 6 | 10/09/2005 | GDWD | 8 | GF | 1 | Lst | 5 | 4-8 | 85 | T6 | | AvPc, -4Hf, Ef-2+, Kon-1+ |
~END~ |