DERBY UPDATE
A few horses taking their first steps along the long road to the Derby in March...
BRUXAAR - 3 g Xaar - Kindergarten - 3 starts, 2 wins, 1 third
Trainer Allan Sharrock, who won the Derby last year with Wahid, rates this horse as "one of the best I've trained". This is a huge call. He's going to the Levin Classic (G1) later this month and is going to be very hard to beat in that.
BERIO - 3 g Zabeel - Abbaye - 1 start, 1 win
Huge debut win this weekend, looks like a big powerful boy who won't have any trouble with the Derby distance. Look out.
THUMBS UP - 3 g Shinko King - Regelle - 1 start, 1 win
Went out at 44-1 on debut on Wednesday and was 4 lengths behind the 2nd last horse around the final turn...flew down the outside and won with ease. That field was probably not the strongest, but what a win.
NOM DU JEU - 3 c Montjeu - Prized Gem - 5 starts, 1 win, 1 second, 1 third
By Montjeu out of a dual G1 winning mare, Nom Du Jeu is bred to be pretty good. And looks it. Getting better all the time, and no doubt about handling the distance. This colt would be my pick to win on the first Saturday in March at the moment, if he continues to improve at the rate he is at the moment.
SIX O'CLOCK NEWS - 3 g Zabeel - Maurine - 2 starts, 1 second
Amazing breeding (son of multiple G1 winning mare), and is getting better as he runs over more and more distance. Another big powerful guy.
It's great to see these ones start to appear, but they have a long way to go to reach the level of the horses heading to Riccarton for the 2000 Guineas on the 17th...
RIOS - 3 c Hussonet - Gussy Godiva - 5 starts, 3 wins, 1 placing
Current favourite for both the 2000 Guineas and the Derby. Was inexperienced in his 2 starts last season but unbeaten in 3 races as a 3yo...and so impressive. Hard to see him losing the 2000 Guineas and a lot of people are willing to hand him the Derby trophy already. That's a bit premature but he definitely looks something special.
PIERRE JOSEPH - 3 c Redoute's Choice - Market Price - 8 starts, 1 win, 2 seconds, 1 third
One of the highest prices paid at the yearling sales, but hasn't quite lived up to it yet. Huge run in the Wellington Guineas for fourth last start though over a mile, finished faster than anything in the race including Rios. Looks like he's crying out for the Derby distance.
THE POOKA - 3 g Tobougg - The Banchee - 10 starts, 3 wins, 1 second, 1 third
Has been running against older horses this year, stronger company than any other 3yo has raced against. Hard to judge how he'll go in age group company, but he should find it easier.
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