The Group 3 Classic trial today at Sandown, on paper, looks a cracking race. There are a number of very good chances, but the race is an open one. The Hannon trained Auld Burns comes into the race on the back of a strong win in the Tattersalls Trophy, where be beat off his stable mate Measuring Time, in a driving finish. Another big chance is the Johnston trained, Dettori ridden Dordogne, a beast of a horse who seems to have great heart. He'll probably sit on the pace, and then try to hold them off over the last furlong. There are a few other hopes in the race, Genius Beast, Masked marvel and Measuring time, but for me it's a race in two. Dordogne, just from Auld Burns.
I like the look of Specific Gravity. Ran green on first outing as a 2yo before slaughtering a reasonable field of maidens. Still a bit green on first run of season when only 1l behind Dordogne. His sire Dansili's produce progress extremely well (according to RP). The dam is by Alleged out of a Riverman mare so looks bred for this stiff 10f. 6/1 looks good place value for me.
Pretty poor quality race for a Derby trial,Dordogne has the best form but seems nothing special.Won't be having a bet on this race.
I thought about SG Ron, but thought the Tatts Trophy form might be too strong, but it wouldn't surprise ma at all if yours got up. I tend to agree about the poor quality of the race Utter. But you never know what might be uncovered.
Don't forget that 2yos (and 3 and 4yos) are just big babies that haven't fully developed. As such there is no point in killing a decent horse off by over racing as a baby. A hell of a lot can happen from 2 to 3 (eg Sea The Stars) and from 3 to 4 (eg Harbinger). 2yo form is extremely dodgy, as proved year on year (there are exceptions of course) and an unraced/lightly raced 2yo could be a future star. Let's see what they look like.
How did we miss that Cyc? Didn't even look at his form, but if I had............... I just looked at the favourite and that led me to my selection. That was really sloppy of me not to look at every horse. Good job I don't bet. 25Sep10 Hay 8Sft C52yMd 3K 1/10 (1L Purification 9-0) 10/11F 09Sep10 Don 8Gd C32yMd 6K 3/15 (1üL Picture Editor 9-3) 4/1 13Aug10 Nmk 8Sft C42yMd 4K 3/12 (5ýL Frankel 9-3) 15/2
