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May 19th SUMMING UP
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Always an important maiden and the first major 6f event in the south and
traditionally used by a range of major local stables to introduce their
better 6-7f types. The two divisions of the race in 2005 were not a top
class vintage with no later Group winners in either one.
However, consider this list of useful 2yos that did run - Championship
Point (Listed 7f Chesham), Murfreesboro (Tattersalls Sales Race), Golden
Acer & Genari in the first division. In the second part Ivan Denisovitch,
To Sender (disappointing Coventry favourite) & Johnny The Fish (Doncaster
St Leger Sales Race) with the useful winner Asset a non-runner. A total
of 11 later winners from the 21 runners.
The race is undivided this year and with a strong cast among the top 12-13
on profile it is difficult to be categorical about the result on the day.
Assuming reasonable weather (no rugs on the horses, etc.) and a good set
of pictures the race will be written up in Paddock Review to assess the
prospects of those better types.
Conquest, along with Jo'burg (the highest rated), Marine
Parade & Joburg Gold all have solid or better ratings from
the sales (a large part of the field are owner bred or not seen at the
sales and not reviewed). The actual quality of the form Conquest showed
on debut is not that high but it was a solid effort by his trainer's standards
and normal improvement would see him rate into the higher 70s and set a
strong standard for any newcomer.
With so much potential in the field there is always the possibility of
a surprise 'big run' but Champlain, Major Cadeaux & possibly
Jo'burg are as likely a trio as any to provide the strongest debut
efforts. Champlain's trainer has not got going with his 2yos yet but his
better types usually compete well on debut and this Sheikh Mohammed owned
runner ought to be a 'better' one.
Richard Hannon has declared seven for the race in 2002-5 producing a winner,
two seconds and a third. The market has not been a good indicator of the
likely abilities of his runners. In 2004 his runner at 66/1 was a strong
second and won a Listed race next time. In 2003 the 8/1 preferred was the
disappointing Farewell Gift who finished second in a muddling race. He
was still trying to break his maiden as a 3yo while the 20/1 second string
won two races at 2yo. Both his declared 2yos in 2005 were well above average
types.
He runs Major Cadeaux & Marine Parade on debut and has been
very positive about the prospects for both of them. The best of them is
likely to place on the day and both are likely STO winners.
Jo'burg is the first 2yo runner of the season for Amanda Perrett
whose return with 2yos has decreased in the last two seasons. In general
her earliest runners are the natural 2yos and can compete well on debut
although are tuned to peak STO. Jo'burg was a very expensive foal and yearling
especially given his female side pedigree. He received a rating of 80 at
the sales (in the top few %) and ought to make the first 4-5 if he has
the expected ability.
Make Me An Offer & Right Option have the advantage of
and early run and should progress well enough from their debuts to finish
mid-division or a little better depending upon the readiness of the newcomers.
A couple of other 'firsts' worth mentioning - Sakhee
has first first British raced 2yo as a sire with the Ed Dunlop trained
Al Khaleej.
Amongst the trainers M. Tregoning has his first runner of the year. Before
2005 he was notable for having his 2yos fit and ready to compete strongly
on their debuts. He often had placed horses, and occasional wins, in strong
fields like this because his better runners were relatively well forward.
In 2005 his only FTO winner before a couple of later season successes was
with Sir Percy in a moderate auction race. Given that Sir Percy was a Group
1 winner later he could have won that race half-fit. He might have had
a less able group overall in 2005 but the debuts were less competitive
overall.
His representative here - Endiamo - is, typically, an owner bred
for the Maktoum family and has a solid pedigree which could produce a useful
type. The trainer's earliest runners usually include his best 2yos (Sir
Percy was the third debut runner in 2005 and Mulaqat the fourth) so Endiamo
would be near the top of the 'check on-course' list.
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