Juvenile Watch: Ross Millar highlights one for the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot

HICKORY LAD was a winning selection in the Woodcote Stakes at Epsom, which perhaps makes me slightly biased, but even allowing for that I felt this was the performance of a colt capable of progressing into Pattern company. 

A feature of his three previous starts had been his sharp early speed from the stalls and he displayed that quality again here. Under Sam James he quickly crossed to the rail and established a lead of almost two lengths. It soon became apparent that those in behind were working hard to close the gap, yet despite not producing an obvious change of gear, he continued to gallop relentlessly and saw out this first attempt at six furlongs to win by three lengths. 

There is a possibility that having the run of the race exaggerated the margin of victory. RaceiQ data shows his fastest furlong came in the fourth, the point at which he effectively put the race beyond the reach of the eventual second and third, both of whom were ridden from further back. However, he was in command throughout and I am convinced it was ability rather than circumstance that produced this performance. 

This, now proven, stamina for six-furlongs opens up plenty of options and he clearly handles unique tracks well when plenty of juveniles won't. Don't be fooled into thinking he's not as good as he looks.

POSSESSIVE (Karl Burke) 

Was sent off favourite for the Woodcote having been an impressive winner at York on debut. He failed to handle the track at Epsom in the early stages before finding the slower ground sapped his stamina. 

Back on a more conventional track and on a sounder surface he's capable of resuming his progress.

AVIONICS (Andrew Balding) 

A son of Kodi Bear, he shaped with promise on his debut at Pontefract where he broke well and raced professionally through the early stages, but looked immature when the first to come under pressure. It took a while for him to figure out what was required but he rallied well in the closing furlong. 

With the benefit of this experience behind him, he's capable of winning a similar contest over a stiff six furlongs.

CHILLI (Eve Johnson Houghton) 

A daughter of Harry Angel, she looked in need of her debut experience at Chepstow. Slowly away, she needed driving for much of this five-furlong contest but stayed on surprisingly powerfully under a considerate ride to finish a never-nearer fourth. 

She'll improve for this experience and will be of interest next time, particularly if upped in trip to six furlongs. 

Last week I referenced the strength of juvenile fillies Wathnan Racing have at their disposal, but suggested ante-posts bets were difficult until they clarified potential targets. 

Light Of Dawn was another debutante winner for them at Carlisle on Monday, though it was the post-race interview with trainer Karl Burke that interested me most. In it, he confirmed that WILD BLOSSOM, a winner over five furlongs at Carlisle on her debut, would head towards the Queen Mary rather than step up in trip to the six furlongs of the Albany. 

The form of that debut win is yet to be really tested, though the fourth-placed Calef, beaten 17 lengths at Carlisle, was only beaten four-lengths by the well-regarded colt Social Symbol on his next start at Ripon.

Regardless of the untested nature of the form, I'm yet to see such a strong performance from a filly this season. She has plenty of pace and galloped strongly to the line so the stiff nature of the Ascot test should suit. 

At a best price of 5/1, she's my second Royal Ascot selection.