Juvenile Watch: Spanish Poet makes deep impression

I’m loathed to get overly invested in juvenile form that’s obtained on testing ground. Physical strength and balance are pre-requisites in dealing with soft going and by nature of their age juveniles can often lack both.

That said I was deeply impressed by Spanish Poet at Sandown last Tuesday. Watch how he won above.

He raced in an exceptionally mature manner, relaxing through the early stages, with minimal cover. One of the last off the bridle he showed a strong finishing effort to pull away to secure a cosy length win. He impressed with how straightforward and generous he was in the final furlong.

The seven-furlong trip on ground described as heavy put an emphasis on stamina, which his pedigree contains an abundance of.

His unraced dam, Bearlita, has produced several black-type performers, including Beamish, a heavy ground Listed winner over 12 furlongs as well as Group Three-placed on soft ground. She’s also produced Bouree, a Group Three winner who excelled on soft ground in France and Germany.

On this limited evidence it would seem Spanish Poet is very much in the same mould as his talented siblings.

He will undoubtedly stay further and could well be capable of making his mark in Group races over a mile later this season, especially if the mud is flying.

Caught the eye when finishing sixth in a hot maiden at Goodwood on Tuesday. Outpaced from the beginning the 6f test, on a speed track, undoubtedly represented an inadequate test of stamina. He made solid progress in the closing stages and, like most Richard Hannon newcomers, the whip was not used.

A son of Lope De Vega out of Mayhem, a Group Three winner at ten-furlongs, he can be expected to take a big step forward when afforded a greater test of stamina. He holds an entry in the 6.45 race at Sandown on Thursday.

Go Daddy (William Muir & Chris Grassick)

Ran well above market expectation in the Sandown maiden won by Spanish Poet.

He showed signs of greenness leaving the stalls and again when the field crossed to the stands’ side rail turning in. Unlike the winner he looked awkward when asked by Lewis Edmunds for his finishing effort. He also compromised his chance by hanging in behind a tiring rival. He belatedly got to grips with his task and finished to great effect.

This ground is unlikely to be optimal given his US-based sire, while his dam gained all four of her wins on the all-weather. He is one to keep onside, especially if being kept on the go through the winter.

As mentioned earlier, I’m wary of soft ground form for juveniles.

Last week’s form from Goodwood certainly won’t hold much weight in my future decisions. There were also two colts that, despite not winning, remain firmly on my radar.

Had looked unlucky when ridden from off the pace in the Chesham at Royal Ascot. He was ridden more prominently at Goodwood and without cover, meaning he marginally over-raced. He possibly paid for those early exertions, fading into fourth place when unable to match the finishing effort of three rivals who were ridden with more restraint. He fared much the best of those ridden prominently and I remain convinced he is of above average ability.

Travelled like a high-class horse throughout the Molecomb but failed to pick up as expected inside the final furlong.

I’m certain this can be attributed to the saturated ground, although a nod must go to the talented winner, Big Evs who will also appreciate a sounder surface.

This already gelded hothead looks full of pace and, when back on a quicker surface, Baheer can show himself to be high-class.