Juvenile Watch: HQ review and a horse to follow

Last Saturday at Newmarket we were provided with some high-class action, I thought it was worth reviewing the three group contests given the form from each looks solid.

Sun Goddess was my selection for the Cheveley Park, although I made no secret beforehand that the drop back to six furlongs concerned me. Everything we had seen from her, particularly when powering clear in the Moyglare over seven furlongs, suggested that stamina rather than raw speed was becoming her greatest weapon.

Those concerns were certainly justified during the race.

Off a strong gallop, Sun Goddess was one of the first of the principals to come under pressure and Ryan Moore was having to ask a question of her as they came down into the Dip. For a few strides she looked vulnerable, particularly with market rival, Libertango, travelling strongly into contention.

But Newmarket’s stiff six furlongs ultimately played perfectly to Sun Goddess’ strengths.

Once she met the rising ground the complexion of the race changed quickly. She began to lengthen rather than quicken, grinding down Libertango before asserting close home to win by a length. It was a performance built around stamina, toughness rather than a devastating change of gear, yet still I find myself being hugely impressed by her.

The clock added further substance to the performance, with Sun Goddess breaking the juvenile track record, and this was certainly not a weak Group one. Libertango had beaten her in the Albany at Royal Ascot, while Prix Morny winner Senorita Bonita brought top-class six-furlong form into the race - though given her tepid finish I think it's fair to assume she was victim of whatever is causing the overall poor form in her yard.

For me, the performance only strengthened the view that Sun Goddess will be better again when returned to seven furlongs and eventually stepped up to a mile.

She has now won three Group Ones and, importantly, continues to progress despite a relatively busy juvenile campaign. She may not be finished yet either, with both the Fillies' Mile and/or a trip to the Breeders' Cup under consideration.

I was keen to oppose Orthodox in the Middle Park, as I had reservations about his prospects over this stiff six-furlong test after he weakened in the Prix Morny on his latest start, albeit on slower ground.

However, the return to better conditions clearly suited him, and his victory suggested that he was more comfortable on this surface than he had been on softer ground in France.

He travelled with greater fluency and showed that sharp turn of foot that had been evident earlier in the season. Having appeared vulnerable in the Prix Morny, he was able to maintain his effort much more effectively here and was professional and brave once getting to the front.

This was not necessarily the deepest renewal of the Middle Park but nevertheless, he was impressive in victory and did what was required when it mattered.

The result also provided another reminder of what a shrewd operator Clive Cox is. He was confident before the race and was duly rewarded, I can't think of any trainer that pound for pound achieves more with his juveniles.

Orthodox already has proven form at Ascot, so the Commonwealth Cup looks an obvious target for next season. The stiff six furlongs on spring ground should suit, particularly if he continues to strengthen physically and learns to settle better in the early part of. his races.

That said, there is no reason to think he would be inconvenienced by dropping back to five furlongs. His speed is genuine, and on fast ground he could be just as effective over the minimum trip and the sprinting division is certainly lacking a depth of talent.

Haffner was my selection for the Royal Lodge, as I was convinced the step up in trip would bring about significant improvement. That proved to be the case, with the extra distance and slightly slower tempo allowing him to use his stride to much greater effect.

He travelled with plenty of purpose through the race and, once asked to quicken, showed a willing attitude to put the contest beyond doubt. The performance suggested that he had been crying out for this trip, and the way he finished indicated that there should be further progress to come.

Haffner is a sizeable individual who still looks as though he has plenty of strengthening to do. That is particularly encouraging given the level he has already reached, as he should be capable of developing into an even better three-year-old with another winter behind him.

The Royal Lodge was an important step forward, not only in terms of performance but also in showing that he possesses the balance and stamina required for a mile on this track - I was confident about the stamina before the race but his balance was in question given he appeared awkward at Goodwood earlier in the season.

He now looks a particularly interesting prospect for next season, when a stronger physique and greater experience should allow him to progress further. Trainer Aidan O'Brien suggested a campaign largely centred around the French programme might be likely.

This week Dylan Cunha gives us his 'Late Bloomer'.

"This year I can convincingly nominate Navicouture. Along with my father, Luiz, I worked the Keenland Sales complex hard last season, we were priced out of plenty on the shortlist but were delighted to secure this son of Liams Map for $50,000.

"Liams Map might be unknown to some but he was a talented, fast and durable racehorse and is proving himself to be a sire of quality stock.

"Navicouture has pleased me at every stage of his education and I feel confident enough in his ability to say he's the best juvenile I've taken care of, we'll of course need luck but I'll be disappointed if he isn't a very useful horse."