Ross Millar's Juvenile Watch: "He looks a potential star"

In a quieter week of action for the Juveniles, I believe there was a clear standout performance this week. 

At York on Saturday, the Karl Burke-trained Hankelow made a striking impression when striding away in the closing stages on his debut. 

A son of Night Of Thunder, he was a pricey yearling when purchased for 750,000gns, though it was clear to see from his physical presence in the prelims why he would have fetched such a sum. 

I loved the professional manner he demonstrated on this first start; breaking smartly from the stalls before racing on the right-hand wing in a beautifully settled manner. Once asked for his finishing effort, he lengthened well and I think particular notice should be given to the fact that his nearest challenger, Crest Of Fire, was positioned away from him towards the stands' side rail, meaning he was without company. 

The form looks solid. I was particularly keen on Crest Of Fire heading into this race as he’d shaped well in a 6f maiden at Newbury on his debut when finishing fifth, the form of which could barely have worked out better, with countless winners, including Chesham victor Humidity, emerging from it. 

I also thought Crest Of Fire would improve for the step up in trip, and I don’t think I was wrong. He had a dream run through the race and pulled a length and a half clear of the third, improving on his already strong debut form. He just bumped in to a very exciting colt here. 

The post-race comments from Karl Burke were particularly revealing. He said: "He’s never even had a gallop away from home, but he’s a beautiful horse. He’s shown plenty of ability at home and he’ll improve a bundle. Over a mile I’d say he’s a Group horse in the making.” 

Be sure to add him to your Racing TV tracker, he looks a potential star. 

Queen Tamara (Harry Charlton) – She made her debut over six furlongs at Newmarket last week and, despite doing plenty wrong, there are grounds for optimism. Breaking alertly, she lacked cover through the first furlong and, as a result, raced too freely, clearly mindful of her education. Jockey Trevor Whelan took her back in behind runners where, to her credit, she eventually raced more sweetly. However, as the pace quickened, she wasn’t able to find an instant response and forfeited a few lengths before staying on in a strong but unspectacular manner. Her dam, Countess De Vega, is from a family that contains plenty of stamina, including King's Gambit, a high-class performer over ten and twelve furlongs, while her sire Space Blues stayed a mile well. She would be of real interest over seven furlongs, or a stiff six, on her next start where she is bound to race more professionally.  

Skydance (Willie McCreery) - A daughter of Night Of Thunder, she has shaped well on both starts to date finishing third each time. On her debut at Cork, she chased home Suzie Songs, a Group Three winner since, and Havana Ana, winner of her next start. She undoubtedly improved on her next start in a Curragh Group Two where she finished strongly behind the proven Lady Iman, and the obviously improving Beautify. 

Given her dam was a Group Three winner over 1m7f, it’s fair to assume that six furlongs is the bare minimum trip for this filly. She looks nailed on to win a maiden when facing a stronger test of stamina and will not be out of place in Listed company over seven furlongs or a mile. I’ll be staggered if she ends the season as a maiden. 

We won’t get declarations until Wednesday, but at the confirmation stage, this looks like being a competitive race.

Both Military Code and First Legion arrive here on a retrieval mission having both run poorly at Royal Ascot. The former failed to fire upped in trip for the Coventry Stakes, while the latter was always on the back foot in the Norfolk Stakes having been slowly away.

Rogue Supremacy adds interest after a superb debut win at Wetherby, although he too disappointed at Ascot in the Windsor Castle, though he did not get the smoothest run through the race. 

At this stage, I’d rank Raakeb as the most interesting runner. He shaped well when appearing not to stay six furlongs in the Coventry, but had shown a smart turn of foot to all but get to the lead with a furlong to go, an effort that’s worthy of upgrade given he raced on the unfavourable far-side rail. 

This drop back in trip will suit and if declared, he’ll be my starting point when looking for a selection.