Eight two-year-olds take part: all raced including a winning debutante.
An intriguing race.
Live In The Dream did just that for connections when tasting victory at Wolverhampton (5f) just three days ago. It wouldn't be a surprise if this colt is a non runner, although Georgia Dobie being booked for the ride (claiming 3lb) gives the impression they mean business.
Adam West has trained a number of two-year-olds over the last few seasons with mixed results.
Probably the best juvenile being Bambino Lola (2017) who won well on debut at 25/1. She was a capable filly who achieved three wins from nine starts, far from disgraced in her sole attempt at Group 3, when finishing eighth in the Dick Poole Fillies' Stakes, beaten less than four lengths.
It's interesting to note the owners of Live In The Dream [Steve & Jolene De'Lemos] have another very talented horse in training with West, in the shape of Live In The Moment who is pretty much a Listed-class horse.
It's always great to see the smaller trainers win, especially on debut. Live In The Dream was fancied to go well and won well at odds of 20/1. He was given a lovely ride from his plum draw (1) by Robert Havlin. I know my brother was cheering because he had a nice win of this son of Prince Of Lir out of an unraced mare.
(Sadly, I didn't bet)
Under the welterweight of 9-12 (minus the 3lb from the apprentice) it will be interesting to see if this May foal can make it two wins from two.
It's always difficult to limit a winner because you never quite know what they have left in the tank. However, this looks a stiffer task and the win penalty will not be an easy burden to shoulder.
The favourite is likely to be Richard Hughes' Kimngrace who is definitely one of the better two-year-olds in the stable.
Making her debut at Class 2 tells the story. A well-built daughter of Profitable cost £55,000 at the breeze-up sales. She ran a sterling race on debut at Newmarket over 6f especially given how keen she was in the early furlongs. In fact, she fairly cruised to the lead when hitting the two-furlong pole only tiring in the closing half furlong when finishing fourth behind Frankella. By all accounts that was a very good performance. She dropped back a furlong when contesting the St Hughes Stakes (Listed race) where she was a 14/1 shot. Things didn't really go to plan that day with a slightly awkward start and losing her position mainly due to being keen as Jack Mitchell tried to keep her restrained but in the process she had lengths to make up. Kimngrace ran on without troubling the leaders but gave the impression she could have done better if not so keen.
A winner from the Frankel family!
— Newmarket Racecourse (@NewmarketRace) July 8, 2021
Frankella wins at the third time of asking - taking the @britishebf Maiden Fillies' Stakes for @AndrewBalding2 and @oismurphy#JulyFestival pic.twitter.com/XMZNrr32TN
She is likely to appreciate this drop in class and could well take a lot of beating if not slightly concerned by her temperament. She may have the class to pull herself to the front and win but a horse that doesn't settle is one that will often disappoint. This March foal is the class act here but I would be careful betting at too short odds just in case she pulls her chance away.
George Boughey has hit the ground running this season with his two-year-olds and they haven't stopped to take a breath. Sassy Rascal is a small daughter of Mehmas. Fillies come in all shapes and sizes and it doesn't mean to say a little one can't be as good as a big one. However, Sassy Rascal is a shadow of the impressive Kimngrace who would dwarf her. She has an official rating of 79 after a few fair efforts. Last time out proved a disappointment and I would have concerns she has regressed. Definitely not a horse I would be betting at relatively short odds.
Andrew Balding is always a consistent trainer who fields not only a sizable string of juveniles but always has a number which achieve success at pattern class. Build Me Up was fancied to go well on debut at Sandown but had little hope when running to her left when leaving the stalls. It was a race to forget. Much better was seen when making her return at Bath. This time the hood was applied and even from a wide draw, still running into space, this daughter of Speightstown showed improvement to chase home Tyson who finally got off the mark. I would say that Build Me Up has ability but she doesn't look the most straightforward of horses and a wide draw may not be the best starting point or this turning course. She should be learning with experience but she doesn't look the most tractable horse and if running wide to challenge it would be a concern.
Quel Kaima hasn't been disgraced on her two starts to date. This daughter of Exceed And Excel is a fair-looking filly who ran well for a long way at Newmarket over 6f before giving way to a couple of talents. Whether this drop in distance will see her slightly outpaced I'm not so sure. From stall one her jockey [Shane Kelly] will be wanting to be competitive and it would be a problem if she loses that plum position on the rail. I'd have slight concerns that one or two of these will be too speedy over this five furlongs.
Majesty's Pleasure, Above It All & Musical Mystery are best watched.
Conclusion: I'm looking forward to this race. A bit of a mix here with a few horses displaying some temperament which is a bit of a red flag for me. Live In The Dream looks straightforward and the type to run from the front. It wouldn't be a surprise to see he is a non runner. If not, I think the burden of the win penalty may be too much. I'm not keen on Sassy Rascal because she looks to be regressing and slight physique may be suggestive of why she is on the back foot. Build Me Up isn't without ability but, again, she looks a bit clumbsy and not the most easy to maneuver which is not what you need on this turning course. Additionally, a wide draw may initiate problems. Kimngrace is lovely-looking filly who has a level of ability. If she was guaranteed to settle I'd have high hopes but she seemed a touch too keen even dropping back to five furlongs. She may be able to misbehave and still win but at relatively short odds you need every positive and one negative brings questions. With consideration, I'd have to take a watching brief.
Author: Jason Coote
Photo: Source Racing Post
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