No, I would imagine they will go down the Acomb/Champagne route with him, should he come through the first test; that said, much depends on what the likes of Ghurair (would choose him to go if there had to be one from the Hamdan collection of 2yo winners), Jalaa and Odooj are up to.
I shied away from backing Kerbaaj due to his weakness in the market (basically, weakness of my convictions!!) and also the nagging doubt about why connections hadn't decided to start him off over 6f. I could be totally wrong, but I get the feeling that he was run over at home by Shaishee or another juvenile that has disappointed recently, so was ignored as a result. Whatever the case may be, connections look to have a smart colt on their hands - provided he can improve on what he showed this evening (hardly gave the impression he was fully clued up, so it's quite conceivable there is improvement in him). I think they were a fair bunch in behind. Those with experience set a reasonable but far from daunting standard, though it has to be said, one or two of the newcomers ran well below pedigree/price tag/connections. Only time will tell.
It will be interesting to see which of the list's juveniles are amongst the entries for the Royal Lodge and Fillies' Mile when the first stage declarations are announced tomorrow. Obviously Elsiniaar and Secret Session would be doubtful to feature among the Royal Lodge entries, but I'd be hopeful the likes of Flying Officer, Mars, Response and Victory Song are listed. I think the mile would stretch Huntsmans Close, and his entry in a 6f maiden at Goodwood next week makes it all the more unlikely his name will appear in the entries.
I could easily see Big Break and Hekaayaat in the Fillies' Mile, though it is debatable whether Supernova Heights would be given an entry given she does have a fair amount of speed in her pedigree and kicked off over 6f. Interesting, also, to see whether Phaenomena's name appears in the race. If Attraction's Galileo daughter Cushion is put in the race by Gosden, I will add her straight away. Ditto with Hot Snap of Sir Henry Cecil's (Midday's Pivotal half sister), though I cannot believe connections will rush either of them given their future value.
Always an exciting time of the season, seeing all the well-bred and highly regarded 2yos starting to be entered for the major 2yo events of the autumn. I shall look forward to picking through the entries tomorrow. _________________ Dark Horses 2013 - Flat
Huntsmans Close will definitely be the next representative from the list on Tuesday in the 6f maiden at Glorious Goodwood. Hopefully a step back to 6f should enable him to see things out better than on debut, albeit he will need to settle better than he did that day despite dropping back a furlong in distance.
The Fillies' Mile-entered Big Break holds an entry for the 7f fillies' maiden at Galway on Tuesday, and she is a filly that I have been looking forward to see for a while as I follow the family closely. She is a full sister to high-class and prolific 6-10f winner (including numerous times at Group 3/Listed level) Famous Name and a half sister to smart 7-10f winner (including at Listed level) Zaminast and 1m 3yo debut winner Photo Opportunity. It is a family Dermot Weld knows exceptionally well, and the fact she debuts in the same race as Zaminast made a winning debut in a couple of years ago looks notable; however, as with all the yard's runners at this meeting, she will likely be a fair few points shorter than she ought to be, so hopefully one or two of the bigger yards' entrants take up their entries and give her a chance of being an acceptable price.
Hekaayaat looks likely to debut in the 6f fillies' maiden on the Wednesday at Glorious Goodwood, while Supernova Heights looks set to step up a furlong in distance a day later in the 7f fillies' maiden at the same meeting.
Budgie, as I am sure you have seen, Olympic Glory and Maxentius cross swords again in the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood on Wednesday, with the latter getting a 3lbs pull on better ground, but the sounder surface should also ensure the Hannon colt sees out the trip to better effect. However, I am actually going to side with John Gosden's Ghurair if he takes his entry up, if not for the fact he didn't run on ground quite as bad as those two did 24 hours later. He won a traditionally strong maiden at the July meeting and did so without being hard pushed, getting there easily and staying on well to score despite clear signs of inexperience; just feel he could represent value against the front two, and he is another who should appreciate the sounder surface at Goodwood. IMO, he is one of the more exciting two-year-old colts to be seen so far this year. It looks to have all the makings of a good race, with Tha'Ir making his first appearance since his victory in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot five or so weeks ago. I remain to be convinced about the strength of that race, though it can be the case that the winner is a class act and the rest in behind were simply just fair/modest performers, i.e. Maybe in 2011. _________________ Dark Horses 2013 - Flat
Shrews, I am really looking forward to his debut outing. I have added him to the list as your contribution, and it seems the other new member of the list, Cushion, will also be making her debut on Saturday in the same race the stable won last year with Coronation Stakes heroine Fallen For You.
The list is doubly represented tomorrow, and you would have to be hopeful of a prominent showing from both runners.
HUNTSMANS CLOSE- 31st July 2012 - 16.15 - Goodwood - CASINO AT Bet365 EBF MAIDEN STAKES (COLTS & GELDINGS) (CLASS 2) (2YO) - 6f- ALERT by AIDANLDREBIN - 10th July 2012
Well-related colt who has been catching the eye of late with some of the yard's nicer 2yo types, most of whom are winners, and he is certainly bred to make his mark at two, his dam a smart performer as a juvenile; ought to prove capable of making an impact right away, and should find 7f his optimum distance this term.
RP Spotlight: From a good family and shaped with plenty of promise when second at Yarmouth (7f, soft) on debut a fortnight ago; travelled strongly on that occasion before being worn down late on and should have little problem with the drop in trip; open to improvement and looks a leading contender.
Half brother to 7f 3yo AW debut winner Burghley out of a smart 6-7f winner (including at Listed level)/Cheveley Park third who was a half sister to the very useful 6-7f winner Cala, useful miler Badalona, 7f-1m winner Rafferty and 7f 2yo winner Fox
Trainer: Michael Bell
Owner: Sheikh Marwan Al Maktoum
Breeder: Darley
BIG BREAK - 31st July 2012 - 18.10 - Galway - CAULFIELDINDUSTRIAL.COM EUROPEAN BREEDERS FUND FILLIES' MAIDEN (2YO) - 7f- ALERT by LOMBIE - 20th May 2012
Full sister to multiple Group 3 and 2YO winner in Ireland Famous Name. Owner Khalid Abdulla is said to think she's one of his best 2YO's and should be out later in the year.
RP Spotlight: Fascinating newcomer here as an own-sister to Famous Name, a wonderful servant to the Weld stable, only just short of top Group 1 standard and winner of 18 of his 35 races; half-sister to Zaminast who won this race on her debut two years ago; bound to know her job.
Full sister to the high-class and prolific 6-10f winner (including numerous times at Group 3/Listed level) Famous Name and a half sister to smart 7-10f winner (including at Listed level) Zaminast, 1m 3yo debut winner Photo Opportunity, 1m 3yo winners Everlasting Fame and Final Esteem and 6f 3yo winner Anchor Date, out of a 7f 2yo debut winner
Trainer: Dermot Weld
Owner: Khalid Abdulla
Breeder: Juddmonte Farms Ltd _________________ Dark Horses 2013 - Flat
Further to the above, I thought I would list the 2yos on this thread and the major entries they currently hold for this season:
A Ladies Man - £100,000 Tattersalls Millions Median Auction Trophy and £500,000 Tattersalls Millions 2yo Trophy
Ashdan - Royal Lodge and Dewhurst Stakes
Big Break - Fillies' Mile
Cushion - Fillies' Mile
Elsiniaar - none
Flying Officer - none
Hekaayaat - Fillies' Mile
Huntsmans Close - Champagne Stakes and Dewhurst Stakes
Mars - Futurity Stakes, Champagne Stakes, National Stakes, Royal Lodge and Dewhurst Stakes
Morpheus - none
Noor Al Watan- none
Phaenomena - £100,000 Tattersalls Millions Median Auction Trophy, £100,000 Tattersalls Millions Fillies' Median Auction Trophy, £500,000 Tattersalls Millions 2yo Fillies' Trophy and £500,000 Tattersalls Millions 2yo Trophy
Point Piper - Champagne Stakes, National Stakes, Royal Lodge and Dewhurst Stakes
Response - Champagne Stakes, £100,000 Tattersalls Millions Median Auction Trophy, Royal Lodge and £500,000 Tattersalls Millions 2yo Trophy
Royal Flag - none
Secret Session- none
Supernova Heights - Lowther Stakes and Fillies' Mile
Takaathur - Redcar 2yo Trophy
Victory Song - Royal Lodge and National Stakes
I must admit, I am fascinated to see Delegator's Exceed And Excel half brother Correspondent entered up for the Dewhurst, particularly as his pedigree is even more geared towards speed than his classy relation, but I am pleased to see so many from the list holding major entries in the autumn. Hopefully they can win their maidens in the coming weeks and months and set themselves up for a crack at one or two of the big prizes in the autumn. _________________ Dark Horses 2013 - Flat
On the face of it a disappointing day for the thread yesterday, but both runners actually shaped better than their eventual finishing positions and remain with a good deal of potential.
Huntsmans Close refused to settle once again and paid the ultimate price at Goodwood, making good headway over two furlongs out but having to be switched across the track to come with his challenge, inevitably it being short-lived having raced soon keenly early. It does appear to be an unwelcome trait of his and it will need rectifying if he is to ever fulfil his undoubted potential.
Big Break somehow managed to find trouble in running against five opponents on her debut at Galway, meaning she only really had a furlong to get herself organised, finishing off well without ever proving able to get close enough to threaten the winner. However, she certainly shaped in defeat as though possessing at least some of the family talent bestowed upon her full brother Famous Name and half sister Zaminast, and really ought to have few problems in going two better next time out.
Hekaayaat's absence from the first at Nottingham (scoped badly) means there is just one runner from the list tomorrow, and she is a filly that showed a good deal of promise first time up and promises to be suited by this extra furlong, on pedigree at least.
SUPERNOVA HEIGHTS- 2nd August 2012 - 16.20 - Goodwood - EBF BRITISH STALLION STUDS EBF NEW HAM MAIDEN FILLIES' STAKES (CLASS 2) (2YO) - 7f - ALERT by SPINNINGCOIN - 15th May 2012
Half-sister to Greek Renaissance winner of a Group 3 over six furlongs and Side Saddle group class horse in France over middle distances. Likely to be most effective around six and seven furlongs.
RP Spotlight: From a good family and shaped with promise when 10-1 fourth in big field at Newmarket (6f, soft) three weeks ago, recording a highly respectable RPR; yard's horses tend to improve for a run and this filly looks a leading contender with the outing under her belt; bred to stay 7f; entered in Lowther and Fillies' Mile; trainer won this in 2009.
Half sister to smart multiple 6f winner (including at Group 3 level) Greek Renaissance, smart 9-12f winner (including at Group 3 level) Side Saddle, very useful 5-7f winner Machinist, French 12f-2m winner Last Roman, 10f 3yo debut winner Sir John Hawkwood and 7f 3yo fibresand winner Athens, out of a 10f 3yo winner who was a half sister to high-class US middle distance performer Nash Terrace, smart dual purpose performer Landing Light and to the dam of Prix Jean-Luc Lagadere winner Naaqoos
Trainer: Brian Meehan
Owner: Ballymacoll Stud
Breeder: Ballymacoll Stud Farm Ltd _________________ Dark Horses 2013 - Flat
It could well be that, but I would be willing to give her one more chance back over 6f before condemning her for being slow. It was probably a lack of fitness that accounted for her weak finishing effort on debut, and perhaps stamina was to blame yesterday (after all, she is a half sister to a pair of sprinters and is by Oasis Dream); however, it is also true to say that she has held every chance in both races and has simply not proven up to the task. Her Group 1 entries look very fanciful on the evidence of her two runs to date, to say the least. _________________ Dark Horses 2013 - Flat
The list is represented by the just the one runner tomorrow, with Victory Song re-routed elsewhere after not taking up his entry at Galway (perhaps best given the ground over there).
CUSHION - 4th August 2012 - 13.45 - Newmarket (July) - ADNAMS BROADSIDE EBF MAIDEN FILLIES' STAKES (CLASS 4) (2YO) - 7f- ALERT by AIDANLDREBIN 26th July 2012
Smartly-bred filly who could prove to be the best of her top racemare's progeny to date, with the Galileo influence appearing to have woven its magic if this filly's work at Clarehaven in recent times is any guide; fact she holds an entry in the Fillies' Mile suggests top connections expect her to make her presence felt this term; should have few problems with 7f to begin with but ought to stay a mile before the season's out.
RP Spotlight: to follow...
Three-parts sister to 1m 2yo winner Devastation (by Montjeu) and a half sister to 7f 2yo AW winner Elation, out of a top-class miler who won the English and Irish 1000 Guineas as well as three other Group 1 contests, whilst also proving to be a very smart 5-6f winner at two, winning the Cheveley Park Stakes, and she was a half sister to this yard's useful dual 1m winner Racketeer.
Trainer: John Gosden
Owner: The Duke Of Roxburghe & Mrs Sue Magnier
Breeder: Floors Farming _________________ Dark Horses 2013 - Flat
Fair to say that Cushion needed the run last Saturday, prominent early but losing that good early position through greenness before actually coming home well under very tender handling throughout the final furlong. The fact she proved reluctant to load and reportedly played up in the pre-parade ring beforehand can be put down to inexperience at this stage.
Today sees the list represented by another John Gosden newcomer, albeit he comes into this off the back of the yard saddling a pair of debut winners yesterday with the second of them followed home by another debuting stablemate. The omens are good, for Newmarket tonight.
ASHDAN - 10th August 2012 - 18.45 - Newmarket (July) - NGK SPARK PLUGS MAIDEN STAKES (CLASS 4) (2YO) - 7f- ALERT by AIDANLDREBIN - 26th July 2012
Well-bred colt who is reportedly doing absolutely everything right on the practice grounds at Clarehaven, so much so, he has earned himself an entry into the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes in September; top handler knows the family inside out, and it would be extremely surprising if this son of Dansili couldn't make a significant impact as a juvenile.
RP Spotlight: Good Juddmonte pedigree, including being full-brother to Sense Of Joy, a debut winner here in 2007 before winning a Group 3 on only subsequent start; entered in the Royal Lodge, Dewhurst and Derby and of strong interest on paper for top yard.
Full brother to twice raced dual 7f 2yo winner (including at Group 3 level) Sense Of Joy and a half brother to high-class multiple 10-13f winner (including at Group 3/Listed level) Day Flight, 10f 3yo winner Sense Of Pride and once-raced 7f 2yo winner Bionic, out of a very smart 8-12f winner (including at Group 2/3 level)
Trainer: John Gosden
Owner: Khalid Abdulla
Breeder: Juddmonte Farms Ltd _________________ Dark Horses 2013 - Flat
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