Débutante Stakes 2010

3.45 Curragh
Keeneland Debutante Stakes (group 2) (Class 1) (2YO only)
Winner €65,000
Pick: Together(win)
Gatamala: Shown above-average level of form when runner-up all 3 starts, unlucky on debut before being unlucky to bump into Seeharn in listed race here and into Listed race winner Snow Watch; Consistent but this looks tougher than both races.

Gemstone: Built on debut promise when winning minor maiden at Limerick in June but disappointed behind Together in Silver Flash Stakes last time; This even thougher.

Hasty Katie: Inexperience had prevented her from getting off mark until last time out at Galway, winning readily (maiden was poor); This is much harder task and not exactly shown level of form required to be taking big hand.

Inca Princess: Improved from debut when winning 6f maiden at Fairyhouse despite edging left/carrying head high; Return to 7f will suit and will be a lot better if putting her head down in a battle, so no forlorn hope.

Laughing Lashes: Another maiden who has shown plenty of talent when runner-up in maiden at the Curragh and Group 3 at Leopardstown (length behind Together); Was making late headway but always well held and this is a stronger race.

Lily Again: Won 6f Kempton maiden before good second in Chantilly listed contest (had to give 10lbs to the winner) and bettered that again when fifth behind Memory in Cherry Hinton; Probably didn’t have to even repeat that to win last time and will need career best.

Misty For Me: Huge improvement from debut when scoring comfortably over 6f here in July (runner up scored since, staying on fourth well beaten next time ) and can’t be ruled out if making more progress, which she should do over this trip.

Seeharn: Unbeaten in 2 starts here over 6f, building on promising maiden win when landing listed race by length from Gatamalata in good style; Gives impression there is more to come and should get the 7f easily, so major player.

Together: Very well bred filly (By Gaileo out of same Pennekamp mare that foaled Jan Vermeer) who needed experience on debut, staying on very late; Made mandatory progress to win 7f maiden but stepped up massively when quickening nicely and galloping on to land Silver Flash Stakes just over 3 weeks ago; Looked classy there and will take the beating here.

VERDICT: Plenty of promising types as usual in this race, including Misty For Me, the useful maidens Laughing Lashes and Gatamala and the unbeaten Sheeharn. The latter should go very close but TOGHETHER looked like a very good filly when winning the Silver Flash Stakes cosily and sets a good standard here on that run.