Two year olds of 2006 – Part 1
This is the first of 4 sections where I will be highlighting some of the 2 year olds that caught my eye during thye 2006 season. All pictures are by kind permission of the excellent web site www.b2yor.co.uk which is highly recommended.
When compiling the list of horses to include in this feature the first thing that I noticed was that 4 of them were sired by the former Haydock Sprint Cup winner Invincible Spirit (picture opposite). His first crop included the following quartet that I have grouped together. The remainder are covered in alphabetical order.
Bahama Mama (Invincible Spirit) This filly showed a smart turn of foot to win 3 of her 8 starts. She is not over big but ran consistently, particularly over the minimum trip on fast ground. Wins at Newmarket and Brighton were followed by a listed success at Sandown where she accounted for Mood Music. She suffered traffic problems when runner up in the Group 2 Flying Childers at York. Her biggest winning starting price was 15/2. She is trained by Jeremy Noseda. (Picture below – No 8)
Captain Marvellous (Invincible Spirit) Described by trainer Barry Hills as a “straightforward horse” he won 3 of his 9 starts. He put up a good performance when carrying top weight to victory in a 6F nursery at Newbury at 20/1. He came from first to last in this race as he had done earlier in the season at Chester. He went on to finished 3rd in the Group 1 Middle Park and ended the season winning a Group 2 at Maisons-Laffitte. (Pictire below – number 1)
Conquest (Invincible Spirit) A big strong imposing colt trained by Willie Haggas, showed promise on his debut at Newmarket finishing a close up second. He was then just a shade disappointing when 5th behind Major Cadeaux at Newbury. He carried his head high that day and connections fitted him with blinkers next time when he was second at Ascot in the Windsor Castle Stakes. A bloodless victory at Nottingham when long odds on followed and then Conquest finally fulfilled the promise he had been showing all season when winning the Gimcrack at York. (Picture below – number 4)
He ran on strongly with his rider giving several strong cracks before collaring the runner-up close home. Conquest carried his head high and it took all Jimmy Fortune’s strength to persuade him to go through with his challenge. He clearly has plenty of talent but with a temperament to match. He was then last of 6 in the Middle Park on his final start.
Resignation (Invincible Spirit) Only won once from 8 starts when dotting up at Bath in a 4 runner event on firm ground. He ran well in defeat when close up 2nd at Newmarket and Salisbury.
Resignation was 4th in a listed race at Lingfield on his final start. He was short of room as the field turned for home and when the gap came he quickened up quite nicely to finish on the heels of the front three and pull clear of the remainder. He can be found further opportunities.
Dazed and Amazed (Averti) Richard Hannon’s colt won twice early on and ran 9 times altogether. He quickened well to pull clear of Vital Statistic on his second run at HQ and went on to win a listed race at Newbury on his first attempt at 6 furlongs. He was highly tried in his remaining 5 outings and failed to win again.
Excellent Art (Pivotal) Was quite a star for his trainer Neville Callaghan. He won on his debut under a hands and heels Dettori ride at Newmarket, with Captain Marvellous 3rd. He was then eased down to win the National Stakes at Sandown by 9 lengths. He ran with credit when 3rde behind Holy Roman Emperor in a Group 2 at The Curragh and was also 3rd in the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville. (Picture below – number 6)
In his final run of the season he prevailed by a short head from Doctor Brown in the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury.
Fool Me (Mull of Kintyre) Described by his trainer Ed McMahon as a “pocket rocket” he showed some promise when 4th on his debut at Leicester in April and he returned to that track to win 3 weeks later, justifying favouritism. He returned after an absence to finish 2nd of 5 at Ripon.
Gremlin (Mujahid) I have included Alan King’s Gremlin even though he didn’t win a race last season. His form figures read 24223, with his best effort arguably his last, when 3rd to Cheap Street in a Newmarket nursery. He seems the type that may have the scope to win a race or two in 2007.
Greyt Big Stuff (Aljabr) Made a decent start when 4th in a Yarmouth maiden. Other placed efforts followed and he eventually got off the mark at the 5th attempt on his fibresand debut in a 7F Southwell maiden.
Hoh Mike (Intikhab) A powerful sprinting type he won twice at Windsor over 5F. He ran well in Group company when 3rd in the Flying Childers (Bahama Mama was 2nd), and runner up on his last start in the Cornwallis Stakes at Ascot. He could be difficult to place next season off a high mark.
Lipocco (Piccolo) Won once from 6 outings defying top weight in a nursery at Leicester. Had earlier posted a couple of placed efforts at Bath.
Majestic Roi (Street Cry) Mick Channon’s filly only beat one home on her debut at Goodwood in soft ground. Clearly better was expected that day as she started favourite. Although not looking entirely straightforward she won well next time out at Hamilton when an odds on favourite. She carried her head at a very awkward angle and jockey Robert Winston did well to eventually get her to settle reasonably well. She looks the sort to improve further but she will need to race less keenly.
Major Cadeaux (Cadeau Genereux) Got off the mark at the first time of asking in an 18 runner maiden in soft going at Newbury. Lost nothing in defeat when 2nd in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Ascot and should be one to watch next season. (Picture below – number 1)
Many Volumes (Chester House) A well bred colt with Henry Cecil he was 3rd in a Newmarket maiden on his debut. He was then made odds on favourite back at Newmarket in August but could only finish 6th. It is possible that he was not suited by the ease in the ground that day.
Maslak ( In the Wings) Ran 3 times with his best effort a 2nd to Roger Charlton’s Monzante on the all weather at Kempton. Could be one for middle distance handicaps next season. (Picture below – number 5)
Mesbaah (Noverre) Made all on his 3rd start to win a Beverley maiden with plenty in hand in first time cheekpieces.
Monte Alto (Danehill Dancer) 3rd in maidens at Yarmouth and Leicester. He was putting in his best work at the finish in both races and looks a potential improver.
OldJoeSaid (Royal Applause) A speedy and potentially useful gelding who won on his 3rd and 4th starts. A maiden at Sandown and a Windsor nursery. He looks a promising sprinter. (Picture below – number 5)
Orange (Giant’s Causeway) Was always behind on only start when 11th at Newmarket. The dam won 6 times in the States and is a half sister to 7 winners so this filly may well be capable of better things.
Parks Girl (Averti) Ran 3 times with easily the best effort when 3rd in a 6F York maiden at the end of July.
Pelican Key (Mujadil) Won first time up at Windsor at 13/2 but didn’t really build on that in 3 subsequent runs.
Petara Bay (Peintre Celebre) Half brother to Percussionist and Echoes in Eternity. After an inauspicious debut he created a good impression when landing a 14 runner maiden at Haydock. 10th of 14 in the Racing Post Trophy behind Authorized and remains a good prospect.
Radical Views (Machiavellian) Ran 3 times and was 2nd in a 7F Warwick maiden on his last outing.
Silca Chiave (Pivotal) Showing plenty of promise when 3rd on her debut at Ascot and was an odds on favourite when making rather hard work of landing the odds at Newbury next time out. Upped in class in a Group 1 at the Curragh she was only pipped on the line by a short head. She made good progress in the final 3 furlongs when 3rd to Indian Ink in the Group 1 Cheveley Park at Newmarket. Should be winning races in 2007. (Picture below – number 11)
Striving Storm (Stormin Fever) A commanding individual on looks he ran consistently in his 4 outings. A facile win at Haydock in heavy ground was followed by a 3rd in the Horris Hill (Group 3) at Newbury. He had earlier finished 2nd in a listed race at Deauville. If appearance is anything to go by he could have sound prospects as a 3 year old. (Picture below – number 10)
Sues Surprise (Montjeu) Travelled nicely for 5f or so and was just pushed out when 4th on her debut at Newbury over 7F. Runner up in a listed contest at Newmarket and looks open to further improvement. (See picture – number 12)
Tudor Prince (Cape Cross) Made all in bottomless ground to win on his 7th start over 6F at Newmarket with plenty to spare. He was not winning out of turn as he had been 2nd on his 3 previous outings. (See picture – number 2)
Vital Statistics (Indian Ridge) Had an excellent season winning 2 of her 8 starts and running well in other races. She was runner up to Dazed and Amazed on her second start at Newmarket. She ran a sound race and was not beaten far when 6th in Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes and got off the mark in a 15 runner maiden at Newbury. She was 2nd in the Group 3 Princess Margaret Stakes back at Ascot where she returned with a gash on a hind leg after an incident at the start, but there was no suggestion it made a material difference. Her 2nd win came in a 6F listed race at Salisbury. John Egan kept her covered up and delivered a late challenge to collar the favourite close home. She should get further.
Water Mill (Unbridleds Song) A well bred type who won his only start in a conditions event on the all weather at Kempton making all to beat the well regarded Black Rock by a short head. Likely to stay a mile and open to improvement. (Picture below)
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