Newbury’s Spring Trials meeting delivered two excellent days of racing.Several runners stood out, both in victory and defeat, and I’ve picked out a few who look especially promising going forward.
Here at Racing Club, we have a strong team for the flat season, featuring some exciting two-year-olds alongside more experienced horses who should be competitive throughout. To explore the team, learn more, and buy a share, click the button below.
I’m The One – John and Thady Gosden
This Sea The Stars filly was very well backed and is clearly held in high regard, and it’s easy to see why. She produced an impressive performance to land the fillies’ maiden over a mile and a quarter on Friday. Travelling strongly throughout, she always looked in control, and when William Buick asked her to quicken, she powered clear to score by six lengths from the useful Allaire. I’m The One now looks a major player for the Oaks in early June, especially with further improvement likely. She should take plenty of beating wherever she lines up this season, with an Oaks trial next, possibly the Cheshire Oaks at Chester’s May meeting.
Song Of The Clouds – William Haggas
William Haggas has an excellent record in the seven-furlong fillies’ maiden on the opening day of Newbury’s Flat season, although this year’s renewal went to the well-bred Synchronicity, who scored in good style and looks a smart prospect. However, Song Of The Clouds, who finished second, also caught the eye. Her presence in this race suggested she is well regarded, and that was reflected in strong market support, shortening notably before the off. She was carried left leaving the stalls and may have been slightly disadvantaged racing away from the rail. Still looking green approaching the two-furlong marker, she began to find her stride late on, finishing strongly to be beaten two lengths. With that experience behind her, she should take a clear step forward and looks likely to get off the mark soon. She rates a talented filly and one well worth tracking.
Needle Match – William Haggas
The Group 3 Greenham Stakes made for a fascinating, if somewhat messy, contest, with the two market principals encountering trouble in running. All things considered, the horse who stood out most was Needle Match. The Night Of Thunder colt had previously shown a good attitude when winning here in October on soft ground over six and a half furlongs, and was then pitched into much stronger company for just his second start on quicker ground. He was not the sharpest away and raced towards the rear, but found plenty when asked, finishing strongly to be beaten two and a quarter lengths in a race that did not fully suit him. The way he stayed on suggests that stepping up to a mile, and possibly further, will suit, particularly with some ease in the ground. He looks one to keep on side.
Rogue Diplomat – James Owen
A strong second in the Lincoln a few weeks ago, Rogue Diplomat again shaped well in a competitive mile handicap when finishing fifth in the Spring Cup. Slowly away, he made good headway from the rear but did not enjoy the smoothest of passages when making his challenge a furlong from home. Once in the clear, he finished off well, beaten just two and a half lengths. He should remain competitive in top mile handicaps this season off what looks a fair mark.
Silenciosa – Tom Clover
In the Group 3 Fred Darling, the 5/4 favourite Touleen travelled like the winner but may just have needed the run when narrowly beaten by Sukanya. In behind, Silenciosa shaped with considerable promise. She had an awkward start, rearing slightly as the gates opened and dropping in at the rear. One of the last off the bridle, she travelled strongly but was forced to wait for room and denied a clear run at a crucial stage. Switched to the far side by Jack Mitchell, she made good late progress to finish sixth, beaten three and three-quarter lengths. She looks sure to win races and should improve further, particularly over a longer trip.
Water To Wine – John and Thady Gosden
This Kingman colt was the second smart prospect from Clarehaven over the weekend and was clearly well regarded, given the strong market support. Under Ryan Moore, he always looked in control and quickened clear in impressive fashion to win by four and a quarter lengths. He looks a colt with plenty of progression and could prove hard to beat this season, with the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot a likely target.
