Future Winners

Hi all,

In today’s column I’m continuing my review of last week’s action with a look at some more juvenile performance. Plus, there’s two for the tracker from Newmarket.

Newmarket

Besides the three Group races I looked at in Monday’s column. There were two more at the Cambridgeshire meeting.  On Thursday we had the Group 3 Tattersalls Stakes and on Friday the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes.

Alyanaabi got up close home to win the Tattersalls Stakes.  Jockey Jim Crowley was waiting for a gap 2f out and if it hadn’t come in time the colt would have been an unlucky loser. He produced a decent change of gear to win and is open to further improvement. The Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes could be next up for the colt if he gets good or quicker ground. That race could turn out to be the juvenile race of the season if the leading fancies show up, but he looks worth his place in the line-up.

Runner-up Boiling Point is getting better with racing and can win more races.

Rockfel form is worth following.

Carla’s Way runner-up to Darnation at Goodwood last time went one place better in the Rockfel Stakes. The return to quicker ground suited the daughter of Starspangledbanner.  She’s open to further progress and could be stepped up in trip for the Fillies Mile here later in the month.

I think the form of this year’s Rockfel could turn out to be very useful. The winner got first run on runner-up Shuwari. The latter might well have been suited by a slightly easier surface at 7f. She was doing her best work at the finish and she’s another who could be bound for the Fillies Mile. Over a mile she could well reverse placing with the winner.

The third home Ylang Ylang bounced back from a poor run in the Group 1 Moyglare Stakes. She didn’t have the speed of the two fillies who finished in front of her. However, she another who will appreciate the step up to mile and won’t be inconvenienced by easier ground.

Newmarket Eyecatchers:

Inisherin, by Shamardal out of Ajman Princess a Group 1 winner at 1m 2f, belied his 50/1 odds to almost make a winning racecourse debut in the mile maiden that opened the Cambridgeshire meeting. He’s bred to be smart and only lost out to a more experienced rival on Thursday. The colt can win races and looks an exciting prospect for Kevin Ryan.

Oveido did well to finish as close as he did in the Cambridgeshire. He seems at his best on quick ground so his options this season could be limited. However, the 3-year-old should be able to land a nice handicap pot at around a mile next year.

Longchamp

Besides the two Group 1’s on Saturday there were two Group 1’s on Arc Day. Rosallion was back on track in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.  A return to quick ground after a poor run on soft ground in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster was the key to his success. He’s firmly back on course for next year’s 2,000 Guineas after this success.

Runner-up Questionable was also back to his best after a disappointing run in the Phoenix Stakes. However, he was beaten fair and square by the winner on the day. He can do better with racing though and will appreciate a better run race than he got here.  He could now head to Santa Anita for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf.

Favourite Beauvatier possibly found the ground a shade quick for his liking. He found himself tof far back in a slowly run contest. He stayed on nicely to finish third, but the winner had got first run on him and had better tactical speed.

Opera Singer calls the tune

Ace Impact aside the performance of the weekend came from Opera Singer in winning the Prix Marcel Boussac.

Opera Singer was quickly sent to the front and when Ryan Moore asked her to go and win her race, she strode away from her ten rivals in the manner of a future Classic winner. The quick ground suited the daughter of Justify and she should stay 1m 2f as a 3-year-old. After her win at the Curragh I wrote in this column

“Opera Singer is a general 16/1 for the next year’s 1,000 Guineas and again those odds to look decent to me”.

Hopefully some of you took the 16/1 as she’s now favourite for the first fillies classic.  I also backed her ante post at a fancy price for the Fillies Mile but I’m not sure she’ll be coming over for that race now.  Aidan O’Brien mentioned going over for the Breeders Cup with her. I’m hoping he doesn’t because I think that would damage her 1,000 Guineas bid.

Nearest market rival the improving Darnation kept the winner honest for much of the race but she looked one paced on quick ground.  She needs softer ground to be at her best and when she gets her underfoot conditions, she will be competitive in this grade.

It was a case of Opera Singer first and the rest nowhere. In a season which has been light on outstanding juvenile fillies performances this is the standout one. If she trains on from two to three, she’s one to be excited about.

Tuesday Preview

The best of today’s action is a jumps card at Galway. The start of real jumps season is just a couple of weeks away and some of the big names of the winter game are starting to come out.  I’m not in jumps mode just yet so I’m happy to sit out today’s action.

Sedgefield Pointer:

Milton Harris is 8 winners from 18 runners 44% +33.98 with his runners at Sedgefield in the past 5-years. He runs five there this afternoon and I would be surprised if was return to his Wiltshire base without a winner.

Good luck with your Tuesday bets.

John