TIMEFORM EXPERT GRAEME NORTH RECAPS THE WEEK’S JUVENILE ACTION
In the latest edition of his horse racing column, Timeform’s Graeme North focuses his attention on the juvenile division, providing insights into the key races and performances from the past week.
The highlight of the week was the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh, the first Group 1 race of the season for two-year-olds. The race was won by the unbeaten filly Babouche, who delivered a scintillating performance, clocking a winning time of 1:09.33 – the fastest in the race this century and just the second sub-1:10 clocking. Babouche’s Timeform rating of 112p was the joint-best in the race since 2015, underlining the quality of her victory.
North noted that Babouche’s win “adds further weight to the view that the 2024 class of juvenile fillies is quite a deep one.” The runner-up Whistlejacket also impressed, and North believes he could continue to progress, while Arizona Blaze and Shadow Army suggested the form of their previous races may have flattered them.
Elsewhere, the opening maiden at the Curragh produced an intriguing result, with Acapulco Bay, the runner-up to Delacroix, showing significant potential based on his finishing speed. In the fillies’ maiden, the Justify-sired Falling Snow made a hugely encouraging debut, and North believes she will have the top two-year-old fillies’ races on her horizon.
At Newmarket, the Sweet Solera Stakes was won by Lake Victoria, but North feels the runner-up Mountain Breeze and third-placed Elsie’s Ruan are worth monitoring, as they may have been better suited by a stronger pace.
The column also highlights the impressive performances of January, Hill Road, and Heavens Gate, all of whom posted excellent Timeform ratings in their respective victories.
While the overall quality of racing may have been impacted by the festival-focused calendar, North’s expert analysis ensures this week’s edition remains a must-read for horse racing enthusiasts.
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