Juvenile Watch: A future Amo star and a 40-1 July Festival tip

After a slight lull in top-class action for the class of ’25, The Debenhams July Festival kicks off the start of what will be a very busy final three months of the season.

This week, I’ll take a look at both of the group contests; the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes and the Superlative Stakes.

Before that, the usual housekeeping rounding up the past week.

The ever increasing investment and, along with it, the ever expanding ambition of Kia Joorabchian and his Amo Racing entity, was well documented through last season’s yearling sales and on into the breeze-up equivalent this season.

It was clear that the increased spend was also coupled with a change in direction, away from their usual MO of fast and early types, to an effort to purchase potential Classic winners. 

Notwithstanding this change in direction, it would still be fair to say that they’ve endured a sub-par first half of the season and were lacking a potential star.

That might just have changed at Beverley on Saturday, as Vincenzo Peruggia won in smart style on his second start. He’d shown promise on his debut at Hamilton over 6f when finishing third (the runner-up has won since) and on pedigree; he’s by Lope De Vega out of a High Chaparral mare, he was always likely to appreciate this greater test of stamina. 

Jockey David Egan kept things very simple with a well-executed ride. Having broken smartly he set good fractions out in front and, having increased the tempo turning in, he barely had to get serious with the strong and striking chesnut colt to draw well away from the field.

It certainly wasn’t the deepest of contests, runner-up Strength Of Spirit had won a seller on his previous start and holds an official rating of 76. However, he won with plenty in hand and I was particularly taken by his easy action and how well balanced he was on a track that can often cause problems for those lacking experience. I’d expect him to be contesting Group races in the autumn.

Circle Of Trust (Trainer: Kevin Ryan)

A son of Dark Angel, he caught the eye on his debut at Thirsk. Slowly away, he required encouragement through the early stages and looked mentally immature. He made steady progress from two furlongs out before failing to close any further inside the final furlong, it should though be noted that he was given an exceptionally tender ride.

With this experience behind him he should be capable of winning a similar maiden contest over 6f and might well prove fruitful to follow once in nurseries as going up in trip might well see him progress.

Tenor’s Inn (Trainer: Nigel Tinkler)

An already gelded son of Soldier’s Call, he improved significantly on his second start at Beverley. Having made his debut over 6f, he coped well with this sharper test of 5f, travelling well towards the rear of the field, but pinned against the far side rail.

This track position meant that when others were finding top gear, he was unable to do so, and it was only really when inside the final furlong that he found racing room, where he quickened up smartly and pulled back a significant amount of ground, for all that he was still well beaten.

He would be well capable of winning a similar maiden, where a stiff test over 5f would suit, but I’m also aware that with one run left until he gets awarded a mark that it might be nurseries that see him to best effect. He’s logged in my Racing TV tracker.

Venetian Sun was a highly impressive winner of the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, drawing well clear in the closing stages, and the performance is worthy of an upgrade given she raced on the unfavourable far side.

The form of that win is yet to be tested as nothing has come out to run since, however, her overall form has since received a notable boost.

On her debut at Hamilton, Venetian Sun readily accounted for Argentine Tango, who went on to win the Hilary Needler on her next start and has since landed the Listed Empress Fillies’ Stakes over 6f. 

This track looks sure to suit and, while tipping an even-money favourite is not my preferred approach to races, she is simply too solid to overlook.

Italy commands automatic respect given he represents a yard that have a tremendous arsenal of juveniles this season.

He overcame greenness to win at Leopardstown on his debut where, having started slowly, he required every yard of the 7f trip to battle to the front.

His tenacity is to be applauded and the form has been boosted, of sorts, with runner-up Thesecretadversary finishing runner-up in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot. Though at his current price of 5/6, I don’t find it hard to look elsewhere.

For my selection, I’m going to the opposite end of the market in the form of the Brian Meehan-trained Bourbon Blues. He was one of my eye-catchers from the Royal meeting when rallying into eighth place in the Coventry Stakes.

Over that trip of 6f, he struggled to cope with the increase of pace two furlongs from home and got a little disorganised. He could have legitimately weakened away, but I was impressed by how he rallied and then stayed on inside the final half-furlong.

His dam was a winner over ten furlongs and she’s already produced winners over that same trip. Everything about his profile suggests he’ll improve for this extra furlong. Whether he’s up to Group Two class in an unknown, but at a current best price of 40/1, I’m prepared to make a small investment to find out.