Talent Abounds
September 24th, 2017 | Marten's Current Racing Diary
Hi there
Saxon Warrior confirmed the excellent impression he made in his maiden success at the Curragh when landing today’s Group 2 Beresford Stakes at Naas.
The form of his maiden had not worked out that well – the second has since been beaten twice – but the manner in which he delivered his long sweeping run was impressive, especially given that it was his racecourse debut.
In today’s Beresford he was up again rivals that had achieved more than him. They included hat-trick scorer Warm The Voice, rated on 96, and stable-companions Kew Gardens, rated on 104, and Delano Roosevelt.
He won the race well enough in the end, pulling two and a half lengths clear of Delano Roosevelt and Warm The Voice. By Deep Impact, his dam is related to Oaks winner Dancing Rain but there is plenty of pace in the pedigree and I would not be certain of the colt staying a mile and a half.
It’s relatively early days to try and ascertain the pecking order at Ballydoyle, but I imagine Saxon Warrior is up with the best of them.
On Saturday at Newbury I believe we saw a potential Group-class performer in the second division of the 7f novice stakes.
Emaraaty caught everyone’s eye on his Sandown debut in September, finishing fourth after holding various positions throughout the race.
It was no surprise to see the son of Dubawi backed down to 4/9 and he duly landed the odds without turning a hair. To the eye this was impressive, making all to win without coming off the bridle, but the proximity of the thrice-raced Magnificent – rated 79 – in second puts a slight damper on the form.
It was six lengths back to the third, and a field consisting mainly of horses in need of the experience, but the time was almost a second quicker than the first division and I rate the colt a Group-class performer.
As for his likely trip, he is a half-brother to Izzi Top and other winners over a mile and a quarter or more. His dam Zee Zee Top is a half-sister to Opera House and Kayf Tara, so a mile and a quarter should be comfortably within his scope.
At this stage I would have him in mind for both the Guineas and the Derby, with the Greenham Stakes in the spring a possible starting point.
Bye for now
Marten
