May 17 – Hamilton – Plaid – 84
We kick off the latest instalment of noted performances on the clock with a time figure of some significance giving the strength of the grade. James Fanshawe’s filly was back on turf after an unsuccessful bid to repeat her previous victory at Kempton on the all-weather and she could not have not won easier, pulling well clear in the latter stages to the tune of eight lengths. On a card that included winners such as the 84-rated Vantheman and improving Red Spells Danger over sprint trips, it was notable that this daughter of Ghaiyyath recorded by some way the quickest furlong-per-furlong time and even though she is likely to face a shot across the bows to her current rating of 75, she should easily be capable of brushing the impending higher mark to one side before the possibility of tackling pattern company hoves into view.
May 18 – Carlisle – Wild Blossom – 72
There were five two-year-olds who made a big impression on the clock last week and the first of the quintet was this Karl Burke-trained filly on her debut. Taking on the once-raced Crownbreaker at the Yorkshire track, the daughter of Mehmas knew her job well enough to jump straight into the lead and maintaining a strong gallop throughout, she stretched well clear in the closing stages to score by ten lengths. Clearly extremely fast on the evidence of this display, she looks the type to take her chance in the Queen Mary and based on how his stable’s juvenile often perform at the Royal meeting, you would be a brave man to suggest she won’t have some sort of say in that Group 2 over the minimum trip.
May 18 – Redcar – Revels – 72
Just a little bit further down the road in the same county, the Spiggot Lodge yard introduced another nice youngster to the fold in the shape of the son of Lope De Vega and he too, booked his ticket to the Royal meeting with a stylish win. Not as flashy in terms of raw pace than his stable mate, he ground out a result over seven furlongs and the Chesham looks the obvious target in the short term.
May 18 – Windsor – Redorange – 86
There were plenty of quality sprint races during the week but according to our data, this performance by Clive Cox’s gelding was right up there with the best. An eye-catcher at York the previous week when he received very little daylight, the four-year-old was well backed to make amends and unlike events on The Knavesmire, everything this time went according to script. The way he eased his way through the field before quickened right away was in the sign of a horse right on top of his game and even further success surely awaits this in-form sprinter.
May 20 – Ayr – Ruler’s Pride – 72
The third of Karl Burke’s two-year-olds to make a lasting impression on debut and amazingly, we awarded him exactly the same time figure as the other pair. Given the way he hit the line at the Scottish venue, he appeared to be just getting into top gear and, as a result of that view, there should be loads more to come from the son of Mehmas, who might turn out to be the pick of the trio.
May 22 – Bath – Flight Signal – 75
Another son of Mehmas, but this time Archie Watson was responsibly for introducing this colt to victory at the first time of asking. Up against a horse well backed following two previous outings, he impressed with the way he travelled upsides the strong pace set be his more experienced rival and when asked to go and win his race two out, the response was equally taking. According to our data, this is one of the fastest juveniles seen out so far this season and he can represent Watnam racing with distinction at the Royal meeting.
May 22 – Goodwood – Pershaada – 76
The final of the quintet of two-year-olds to post a big number during the week and there is much to digest. The winner was a big disappointment on the all-weather previously but back on turf she proved that run all wrong and the speed figure suggests it would be dangerous to underestimate this performance. Highly regarded by connections, she clearly is back on track and this extremely speedy daughter of Persian Force is likely to be more than just a bit-part player in whichever race she contests at Royal Ascot. However, the runner-up, Kentucky Rain was arguably the biggest eye-catcher of the entire week and she goes down as one to follow. Checked in her run several times when seemingly going best, she failed to get going until too late but the way she flashed home was very pleasing on the eye and she will take plenty of beating in an ordinary maiden next time.
May 23 – Haydock – Venetian Sun – 84
Speaking of Royal Ascot and it was good to see last season’s Albany winner bounce back to form over her correct trip and she looks back on track as far as the Commonwealth Cup is concerned. Like so many previous connections before, Karl Burke’s filly was tried unsuccessfully over a mile in the 1000 Guineas but she has always looked a high-class sprinter in the making and that view is unmoved after this brilliant effort.
May 23 – Salisbury – Almeraq – 83
A keenly contested renewal of the Cathedral Stakes and it went the way of William Haggas’s gelding, who was back off a long break. There was always a doubt whether he would recover from the crushing fall he received at York last September but on the evidence put forward at the Wiltshire venue, there is little doubt he is back to his previous best. Likely to improve for the run according to connections, he will probably head to Royal Ascot for one of the three big sprints. Of the rest, Soldiers Tree was noted as a particularly unlucky loser and as suggested in my ten-to-follow column early in the season, he still remains one to keep on side. Had he not pulled hard or obtained a clearer run, James Owen’s new recruit would have surely prevailed and although entered in the big Group 1 over 6f at Ascot, he will surely be better off in the Wokingham off his current mark.
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