Racing Post Trophy 2013

3.50 Doncaster

Racing Post Trophy (Group 1) (Str) (Class 1)  (2YO only)

Winner £149,714

Advice: 1 pt win Pinzolo (5/1 general)

Ante Post: 1 pt each/way Pinzolo, Derby (20/1 general)

Altruistic: Never troubled when making a winning debut at Naas in August and 2 length third in Beresford Stakes was a pleasing effort for a horse who, like many in this field, still has more to come; Needs to improve to make an impact here but worth his place.

Buonarroti: Like many from his stable, stepped up plenty on his debut when romping 1m1f Tipperary maiden having needed a lot longer than a mile on debut to get involved at Galway; Can f forward again but not sure that he’ll go on this ground and drop back in trip doesn’t look like it’s to his benefit.

Century: Green, behind early, but impressive winner of Curragh maiden when beating well liked runner up Marakoush at Curragh earlier this month, drawing right away at the line to win well; Surely likely to improve for that and notable that stable which has won this with once raced maiden winners for last two years (and seven times in total) sees fit to send him here (is pick of Joesph O’Brien); Needs to handle what’s likely to be deep ground.

Chief Barker: Keeps fighting and keeps finding late on in races, taking it to three in a row when landing Listed event at Haydock that was majorly boosted by runner up’s victory in Fillies’ Mile afterwards; Dangerous to take that form literally and needs to prove he’ll handle this surface.

 

Dolce N Karma: This is an extremely stiff question on second start since debut fourth in AW maiden.

Johann Strauss: Very promising debut in Newmarket maiden (two runners behind him have since been placed) followed but disappointing odds on failure at Naas dropped down in trip when he had clear aim, made heavy weather of getting to winner, and unable to pass; Says a lot for his reputation that he’s here less than a week afterwards and stepping back up in trip sure to help him (booking of Ryan Moore notable); Interesting runner.

Kingston Hill: Green but that didn’t stop him from being a ready winner of Newbury maiden and way he dismissed useful yardstick from Ballydoyle in Autumn Stakes probably the best form on offer today, so has to be respected; Will go on soft and greatly respected following Monday supplement.

Pinzolo: More comfortable winner than margin suggested over stablemate and subsequent eight length winner (third nosed out next time) at Newmarket, and can’t fail to be impressed with way he defied trouble in running to follow up at Newbury on soft surface (runner up since bolted in latest) latest to earn supplement for this; Should go very well here.

Snow Sky: Seemed a changed animal for the change in ground when destroying opposition at Salisbury on third attempt; Not impossible that he’ll have more to offer even if ground’s not quite as testing and supplementary entry also interesting for top connections. 

Somewhat: Game attitude in victory and defeat so far this season, edged out by Berkshire in Royal Lodge when trying mile for first time (narrowly beaten twice in Group 2’s); Can make a bold bid for it but this ground a completely new factor to throw in and feeling that he’s exposed.

The Grey Gatsby: Still green when well beaten by Outstrip in Champagne Stakes here, also looking as if he’d enjoy step up in trip, but ground this soft an unknown for him and also has a slightly exposed feel about him; Others preferred.

VERDICT: An extremely exciting renewal with so many promising contenders, including 3 supplementary entries and no less than 4 unbeaten records on the line. Kingston Hill’s favouritism is deserved after his Autumn Stakes win and few can argue with the promise of Century for a yard that has dominated this event in recent years but PINZOLO’S two wins show a variety of talents and he looks a serious prospect based on the form of an impressive success at Newmarket and a game win at Newbury. The pick for today, he merits a speculative Derby wager at 20/1 given the lack of names down as definites for an Epsom campaign next year.  Chief Barker and Somewhat deserve respect while Snow Sky’s supplementary entry is interesting.