Promising Juveniles Emerge at Newmarket and the Curragh

Hi all,

I covered Saturday’s Group 1 juvenile contests in Monday’s column. Today, I’m looking at some promising juvenile performances from Newmarket’s Cambridgeshire Meeting and the Curragh. Plus, there’s an older handicapper who can win when again getting back on softer ground.

Newmarket

Distant Storm, a debut winner on the July Course, had pulled too hard when beaten favourite in the Acomb Stakes at York. He returned to winning ways in Thursday’s Group 3 Tattersalls Stakes (7f). Held up and settled more effectively this time thanks to a strong pace, producing a sharp turn of foot to pull clear of his rivals in the final furlong. It was a high-class performance. He could return over C&D for the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes and would be a big contender. The son of Night Of Thunder should stay a mile next season and he's a 2,000 Guineas contender.

Enoch impressed on his debut in Friday’s 7f maiden. The Frankel colt, a half-brother to French Derby and Champion Stakes winner Almanzor, overcame a slow start to win decisively. He looks capable of staying 1m 2f as a 3yo and is a smart prospect for John & Thady Gosden.

Golden Orbit, trained by Ralph Beckett, made a winning debut in the fillies’ maiden (7f) on Saturday. Taking the lead a furlong out, the Sea The Stars filly was always doing enough to hold off Ottoman Empress. Bred for middle distances, she produced a very promising performance and could easily develop into an Oaks contender next season. Ottoman Empress looked a touch green coming into the dip but ran on strongly once hitting the rising ground. There are races to be won with her.

Curragh

Two juveniles caught the eye at the Curragh on Saturday.

It’s been a few years since Jim Bolger had a good juvenile, but he appears to have a nice prospect in Mumhan, who made a winning debut in the 6f maiden that opened Saturday’s card. Asked to pick up, he did so and ran out a decisive winner. There should be more to come from the son of Mehmas who will likely be stepped up to Group company next time. If he is I want to be with him.

Hawk Mountain, winner of a Curragh maiden on his previous start, took the step up to pattern company in the Group 2 Beresford Stakes (1m) in stride. Sent to the front as last time, he kicked on 2f out and looked stronger the further they went. While the opposition may not have been the strongest, he remains open to improvement, and he’ll be tough to beat if coming over next month’s Futurity Trophy at Doncaster. With his dam winning over 1m 4f, he can progress again as a 3yo when racing over 1m2f+.

Future Winner – Haydock

Blue Storm (Gemma Tutty) caught the eye in Saturday’s 5f handicap. He built on his recent comeback run when finishing a 5-length 4th of 10 behind King Of Light. Never competitive, he wasn’t given a hard race and shaped best of those held up. He should dip below his last winning mark after this, and with soft ground no issue, a late-season sprint handicap looks within reach.

Tuesday Racing

I’ve had a quick scan through Tuesday’s cards, but nothing stands out, so I’ll be sitting the day out.

Tomorrow I'll be previewing Saturday's big handicap the Challenge Cup at Ascot.

Good luck with your Tuesday bets,

John