The Inside Track: The Sportsman's Horses To Follow For The 2018 Flat Season

The Inside Track: The Sportsman's Horses To Follow For The 2018 Flat Season
16:22, 04 Apr 2018

With the key races in the flat season almost upon us, we have unearthed some horses that could be worth following throughout the season. It’s worth noting, all of these selections have come directly from their connections.

Contango – 4yo, T: Andrew Balding, O: Kennet Valley Syndicate

Last season Contango looked a hugely exciting prospect for the Kennet Valley team, when stretching his unbeaten record to three wins in an emphatic eleven length victory at Newmarket. He hasn’t been seen since finishing a close second in a handicap on Shergar Cup day at Ascot. He looks a type who could still be very well-handicapped and will be eyeing up some big prizes on the way.

Sam Hoskins, racing manager to Kennet Valley: “He won a few races for us last year and we were very happy with him. I’ve heard he is working really well at home and he shouldn’t be too far away from his comeback. We are expecting him to do well this season.”

Count Octave – 4yo, T: Andrew Balding, O: Qatar Racing

Staying in training is Andrew Balding’s Count Octave, who has always figured like a smart horse in the making for the Lambourn yard. Beaten just a neck by Stradivarius at Royal Ascot, he was last seen finishing fifth in the St. Leger but is expected to improve on that form this season.

Andrew Balding, trainer: “He was a nice stayer last year, and we are hoping for a big season from him. He will possibly be aimed for the Yorkshire Cup, or the Aston Park at Newbury. We are hoping he will develop into a really smart stayer, and he should be fine over the longer trips in years to come. Hopefully he can have a great year.”

Corrosive – 3yo, T: Hugo Palmer, O: Ibrahim Araci

Hugo Palmer’s Corrosive is as big as 66-1 for next month’s 2000 Guineas, but he could be one to keep on the right side of. He made a fair impression in his striking one-and-three-quarter Kempton win back in September, and he is expected to go far in his classic campaign especially as the season progresses in the summer period.

Hugo Palmer, trainer: “Corrosive has done really well over the winter and I am really happy with him. I’d think the 2000 Guineas will probably come a bit soon for him, but he should develop into a nice horse as the year goes on. I’d imagine he will stay over a mile, and I would like to hope he can become a group class horse.”

Crown Vallary – 3yo, T: Karl Burke, O: Ontoawinner Syndicate

One that could be one to follow overseas in next season is Crown Vallary, the only filly in the list. Her maiden victory and Maisons-Laffitte second remain strong form ahead of her three-year-old season. Although a tad disappointing on her last start, she remains an exciting mare for the Ontoawinner team. The syndicate have enjoyed fantastic days with the likes of Quiet Reflection, Toocoolforschool and last week’s all-weather hero Corinthia Knight in their famous yellow and white silks.

Simon Bridge, racing manager to Ontoawinner: “She’s only been seen once in the UK. She finished second on debut to the smart filly Juliet Capulet at Thirsk, who went on to win the Group 2 Rockingham Stakes. Crown Vallary then went on to win her maiden at Clairefontaine before two more runs in France. She didn’t fire on Arc day (when sixth) in the sales race but had her excuses.

“We will be campaigning her a fair bit out there (France) this year. She has done very well physically over the winter and has been working nicely since she came back in.

“We have quite a few options for her in Europe, including the French Guineas and Oaks and also has entry at Kempton on Saturday where we can learn a bit more. We think she is quite classy, and we’re looking forward to the season.”

Elarqam – 3yo, T: Mark Johnston, O: Hamdan Al Maktoum

One who has a huge amount of potential for his three-year-old campaign is Elarqam. He has been selected by connections who believe he is a true star in the making for the Mark Johnston yard. Out of the yard’s superstar mare Attraction, he made an almighty impression when winning in both career starts when at York and Newmarket. With an impeccable pedigree and perfect record, the sky is the limit for the son of Frankel.

Charlie Johnston, assistant trainer: “He has wintered absolutely fantastically, the plan for him is to go to the Craven meeting for a gallop and let Jim (Crowley) have a sit on him and give Sheikh Hamdan a look at him.

“We are really happy with him, and looking forward to a very exciting year ahead of him which will start in the Guineas. We think he will want further than a mile in time, but he has seemed to sharpen up a bit and is showing a lot more speed than we were expecting and mentally too. He will probably go up to a mile and a quarter. We hope he will be top-class this season.”

Sands Of Mali – 3yo, T: Richard Fahey, O: The Cool Silk Partnership

Richard Fahey has a whole host of runners-up and down the country every weekend, but one that he has high hopes for is Sands Of Mali. He ran out a surprise winner of York’s Gimcrack in August in a stylish fashion but failed to build on that effort since. He finished last in the Cheveley Park, before registering a ninth-place finish in a hot Breeder’s Cup race. Connections are eying a big year for the sprinter.

Richard Fahey, trainer: “I have been really pleased with Sands Of Mali recently. I’d like to think he is the type of horse for the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot and those sort of sprints.

“He will have an entry over in France, but the ground will have to suit him and he doesn’t want anything too extreme. The Sandy Lane at Haydock is another option too. Six furlong looks the best trip at this stage, but we will see when we get him racing. He’s talented and hopefully a Group One horse.”

Buckman Tavern – 2yo, T: Sir Mark Prescott, O: Middleham Park Racing

With the 2019 Epsom Derby a prime target, one of the leading owners Middleham Park are expecting a big first season for the unraced Buckman Tavern. He comes from a very good middle distance family and is expected to make his debut in the summer.

"We asked Sir Mark to source us a horse who has top class potential in the middle distance to staying department and we loved this son of Pastorius. Given he is bred to improve month on month, it is sensational to hear Sir Mark informing us how well Buckman Tavern is coping with his work at the moment. He will continue to be brought along with a 7f debut from July onwards in mind and he threatens to be a thoroughly progressive horse both this year and next.

“With an entry in the 2019 Derby, who knows where he can take us? After all, winning a Classic is the one thing missing from our CV. Coming 2nd (2016 St Leger) was amazing, but it's not the Gold medal!"

Heartwarming – 2yo, T: Clive Cox, O: Hot To Trot Racing

Last season the Hot To Trot racing syndicate enjoyed plenty of success with their two-year-old Heartache, who won the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot and the Flying Childers at Doncaster, and the team are hoping her half-sister Heartwarming can follow in her footsteps.

Sam Hoskins, racing manager to Hot To Trot: “She is a half-sister to Heartache from Showcasing and looks like a pretty promising sort. Heartache was out quite early and sharp so hopefully she can follow a similar path.”

Knightshayes Court – 2yo, T: Karen George, O: Henacre Racing

The Henacre syndicate are very excited ahead of the start of the flat season, and the future is very bright for their two-year-old Knighthayes Court. The son of Mukhadram is expected to make his debut in the coming months, and although shares have almost been snapped up, he should provide his team a fair bit of fun at the races.

Adrian King, racing manager to Henacre: “Our 2-year-old Mukhadram filly, Knightshayes Court, has really pleased me all year. This year’s 2-year-olds will be Mukhadram’s first runners and I genuinely believe he is exceptional value for his £7000 fee.

“She has thrived with Karen and Paul George. She’s fit and ready to run. 5f will be a bit sharp for her, so we will wait and maybe let her loose over 6f next month. I imagine she will want a mile eventually, but we think she has a bit of class about her.

“She’s ticked all the boxes so far and I’d like to think she’d be a horse to keep on side as the season goes, and potentially into her 3-y-o career too.”

Maydanny – 2yo, T: Mark Johnston, O: Hamdan Al Maktoum

Elarqam was mentioned earlier by the Johnston’s, who have also put forward his half-brother Maydanny as a potentially smart juvenile. He is also from Group One-winning mare Attraction but is sired by Dubawi. He’ll most likely be the last to make it to the racecourse of the ten, but is believed to retain plenty of class and potential.

Charlie Johnston, assistant trainer: “We are very lucky Sheikh Hamdan has sent us Elarqam’s younger brother, by Dubawi. He cost £1.35m at the yearling sales. He hasn’t been here long, but we are hopeful that he can continue the family association. I would imagine he will out a bit later over seven furlongs unless he shows a bit more speed than we expect. It should be mid-summer before we see him, he is certainly very exciting and he could be every bit as good as his half-brother.”

Senjal – 2yo, T: Hugo Palmer, O: Al Shaqab Racing

Hugo Palmer has a wealth of experience with his juvenile runners, and he has selected Senjal as one to keep an eye out for this season. His sire Kodiac has a fantastic record with his young horses, and the positive vibes make this one a real exciting contender especially in the early part of the season.

Hugo Palmer, trainer: “He’s a nicely bred Kodciac colt, who belongs to Al Shaqab. He looks a really nice sharp type, and one that could be winning races in the first part of the season. I’d like to think he could be one of our best this season, but it is early days with a number of ours.”

You can follow the upcoming flat season with us this season over at our Horse Racing centre, with racecards, odds, tips and insight from our range of experts.

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