I SPENT a large chunk of last summer analysing juvenile races and putting name after name into my 2yo notebook. That trusty notebook has formed the basis of the following list of Ten Horses to Follow for the 2013 Flat season. They are all three year olds but you won’t find Kingsbarns, Mars or Certify in this list. These horses have not won a race between them and three of them have never set foot on a racecourse. My aim is that as many of them as possible win a race: and I’m hopeful they will pay their way this season…
PEDRO SERRANO (Footstepsinthesand-Shaiyadima)
Henry Candy
Pedro Serrano really caught the eye in a 6f maiden at Kempton on the all-weather last September. He travelled up easily on the heels of the leaders but was checked several times when mounting his challenge. When he got clear he absolutely flew home. He is very much one to watch when he reappears.
RUST (IRE) (Elnadim-Reddening)
Ann Duffield
A lovely mover who produced an excellent debut effort to be second at Newcastle over 6f on good ground. Connections then ran him over 5f and a mile and he ran okay both times. A handicap mark of 70 looks exploitable.
PEARL STREET (Street Sense-Pretty Meadow)
Henry Candy
This attractive bay filly was well supported in the market on her Kempton debut and was not knocked about as she stayed on nicely to finish fourth. Her trainer loves her and she should be up to winning a race or two.
BROADWAY DUCHESS (New Approach-Annee Lumiere)
Richard Hannon
Don’t read too much into the duck egg next to this filly’s form figures. She has always been highly thought of by the Hannon yard and her only run was in a £167,000 sales race on soft ground at Newmarket in October. She dwelt in the stalls and was stone last at halfway. But she finished mid division and was not given a hard race.
KYLLACHY RISE (Kyllachy-Up and About)
Sir Henry Cecil
Sir Henry Cecil may not have another Frankel but he has some attractive three-year-olds to unleash, many of them unraced or unexposed. There was a lot to like about this bay colt’s only run as a juvenile at Goodwood when he came fourth to Steeler at Goodwood. The race has already produced several winners and this highly-rated individual should have little trouble following suit.
SOHO DANCER (Galileo-River Belle)
Jim Toller
Unraced as a two-year-old but connections have always liked this bay daughter of Derby winner Galileo. She will almost certainly need a couple of runs to gain experience but is certainly one to keep on the right side of.
WOODLAND ARIA (Singspiel-Magic Tree)
John Gosden
Who knows what sort of unexposed talent John Gosden has lurking in his yard. This filly cost a mere £70,000 but has been pleasing her trainer and could be anything.
EXCELLENT HIT (Exceed And Excel-Broadway Hit)
David Simcock
Never made the track as a juvenile but this $145,000 yearling has always been highly regarded by his connections. Very much one to put in the notebook.
MARISHI TEN (Invincible Spirit-Scripture)
Andrew Balding
On the face of it this 70,000 euro purchase did not show a huge amount on her May debut at Newbury when she finished fourth of six in an average looking maiden. But she is thought capable of better and has been given time to mature.
CODEBREAKER (Sakhee’s Secret-Folly Lodge)
Hughie Morrison
Codebreaker improved with each of his three runs as a juvenile and was a solid second on the fibresand at Southwell on his final start. He will start on a rating of 69 and looks progressive enough to win races.
