Debutante Stakes 2011

3.35 Curragh

Keeneland Debutante Stakes (Fillies Group 2) (2YO only)

Winner €61,750

Chieftess: After two uninspiring efforts she looks like little more than a pacemaker for Maybe.

Lightening Pearl: Made eye-catching headway when looking like a sure fire winner on debut (behind a subsequent Group 3 winner) and confirmed that when she landed a maiden at Roscommon last 

time by two lengths; That form again looks solid but this far harder today.

Maybe: Made most impressive debut when defying market drift to make virtually all at Naas, beating Listed second by four and half lengths with Listed winner Teolane behind; Ready winner of Chesham at Royal Ascot and bettered that form when giving 6lbs and a beating to two previous winners in Silver Flash Stakes; This tougher yet again but no doubting her class.

Redoubtable: Put a very poor effort behind her (second run after a promising start) when nearly lasting it out enough to beat Soon at Galway recently but unlikely to reverse that form or win this.

Remember Alexander: Far too green on debut when the main eyecatcher in the race behind Power but disappointing next time; Different story when a wide margin winner of the Tyros Stakes having drifted late on in the race, beating two well-regarded colts with some ease; Should make a bold bid.

Rubina: Made an extremely taking debut when coming from last to first and getting the better of experienced sort with ease; Can do better again here and rates a big player.

     Soon: Showed plenty of promise on debut and had great attitude when getting better of Redoubtable at Galway, but needed every yard of the 7 furlongs that day and likely to be a middle distance filly in time. 

Teolane: Too raw & slowly away to get involved on debut but revelation since then, one of the most impressive maiden winners of season seen so far at Leopardstown; Drop back to 6f proved no problem when never in any danger of losing Listed race at Naas but huge Royal Ascot disappointment when soft ground got better of her (fell out of stalls) but should do much better here.

Tiffila: Didn’t really build on her debut effort when fourth in Gowran maiden last month, but managed to break maiden when winning similar event at Naas last time. 

Yellow Rosebud: Looked capable of making the step upto Group company when winning well on debut at Leopardstown, although that form hasn’t been particularly well advertised and this is a big step up.

VERDICT: A cracking renewal which is likely to produce the main Irish contender for the 1,000 Guineas. MAYBE is only a token selection but you couldn’t fail to be impressed by the way she gave 6lbs and a beating to two useful fillies last time out and she can hold off Remember When, Teolane, and the one raced Rubina and Yellow Rosebud.