IN the aftermath of the King George on Saturday, the three-year-old crop took a bit of a knock after Westover and Emily Upjohn had topped the betting but proved terribly disappointing.
Impressive Derby winner Desert Crown is injured and doubtful for the season. Goodwood’s Gordon Stakes is often used to boost the Derby form but the winner New London had disappointed at Chester behind Changingoftheguard and went back to handicap company before announcing his St Leger credentials on Thursday. With plenty of stamina on his dam side, he looks a lively contender, along with Changingoftheguard who went on to win at Ascot.
The Derby didn’t exactly get a boost from the third-placed Hoo Ya Mal, even his SP of 6/1 didn’t inspire faith this week.
Of the colts, the Godolphin pair of Coroebus and Native Trail had looked above average in the 2000 Guineas but were a bit underwhelming on their latest runs. Lusail let the Guineas and Ascot form down at Goodwood on Tuesday. Perfect Power looked good at Ascot but was well below that in the July Cup.
Luxembourg and Eydon have been injured since the Guineas and were joined on that list last week by the Derby winner Desert Crown. It leaves Eclipse winner Vadeni as the one to beat until Coroebus returns.
Better
For the fillies, it all looks a bit more enouraging. The top two two-year-olds Tenebrism and Inspiral have added to their achievements with Group 1 wins, the O’Brien filly against the colts, including Sussex Stakes second Modern Games.
The 1000 Guineas produced a surprise result as Cachet was 16/1 and Prosperous Voyage 33/1 but the winner performed well in the French classic and the second took the Group 1 Falmouth. Fifth placed Sandrine came back to her good two-year-old form at Goodwood. Flotus too has done nicely.
Homeless Songs and Inspiral produced top notch performances at the Curragh and Royal Ascot. It might have been no surprise that Inspiral then bounced at Newmarket.
The Oaks form has been let down by the first two home, but Tuesday had been very busy, taking in four classics in two months, not a task usually asked of a three-year-old filly. Emily Upjohn was so disappointing in the King George, you think it was not her real form. Nashwa then won the Nassau this week ike a really good filly.
The Matron is the target of Homeless Songs but you would hope that connections of one of the those mile or 10-furlong fillies would pitch them in against the colts before the end of season.