Ross Millar's Juvenile Watch: Truth looks the real deal

Newmarket hosted some top class action last week and possibly unearthed some high-class performers of the future.

My pockets were not bolstered by the action and some re-shaping of opinions has been required. It’s never nice to admit you were wrong but in gambling, as in life, it is important – or so my wife tells me!

This week the primary focus in the juvenile division is the Wetherbys Super Sprint at Newbury more on which later.

Lusail emulated his sire, Mehmas, by taking the Tattersalls July Stakes.

Lusail caught the eye travelling well close to the lead, in the middle of the track. Having won previously over seven furlongs there was never any doubt he would see out the trip well and he duly finished strongly from the fast-finishing Asymmetric.

The winning margin was just a head but I think it’s worth noting that both Asymmetric and the third placed Sam Maximus had the advantage of racing in close proximity to each other in the closing stages while Lusail was slightly isolated by himself down the middle.

I would fancy him to confirm this form if the front three were to meet again.

The writing was on the wall for my selection, Project Dante, from when the gates opened as he simply pulled far too hard and didn’t get home. It will be interesting to see whether connections attempt to get him to settle at this trip or revert him to five furlongs with him.

I won’t be writing him off just yet but his card is marked.

On the face of it, Ebro River ran with huge credit but it was worrying to again see him hang significantly in the closing stages. He does not look one to rely on but I like him all the same.

The Organiser had no luck in running and found himself behind a wall of horses, although when a gap materialised the impression he made was negligible. It appears to be increasingly unlikely but I’d love to see him over a fast-run five furlongs.

For dessert on Friday, I had a portion of humble pie!

The ground remained on the quick side of good for the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes and Sandrine showed my theory that she simply outstayed rivals on soft ground at Royal Ascot to be very wide of the mark.

She is clearly a high-class filly and is by some distance the best juvenile filly I’ve seen this season. She deservedly heads the market for the Qipco 1000 Guineas.

I’d flagged Sadmah up as a runner of interest, but she was weak in the market ran disappointingly. My concern beforehand, given her stout pedigree, was whether she would have the necessary early speed. In fact, she travelled very nicely at the head of the field but found little and faded away.

I’m sure this run isn’t reflective of her true ability and she remains in my Racing TV tracker.

I went slightly against the tide after the impressive debut performance of Flotus had many excited. I wanted to see her perform on better ground and she’s been unable to deliver. The race she won as Goodwood has yet to throw up another winner and I will continue to oppose her.

Charlie Appleby scooped the Superlative Stakes for the fourth time in six years, with Native Trail securing him the prize on this occasion. He travelled keenly just in behind the leader and got the front courtesy of a strong final furlong.

It was an impressive performance but I would fancy the second, Masekela, to reverse the form another day. He looked green when asked for his effort and only hit top gear late on with the post coming a stride too early. I think he could take a big step forward from this.

Dhabab travelled like a horse of real class but didn’t stay. I’m sure he will drop back to six furlongs and he is well up to winning at this level over that trip.

Noble Truth was impressive when winning the seven-furlong maiden at Newmarket on Friday.

He had previously finished a good third over course and distance behind the subsequent July Stakes winner, Lusail, and put that experience to good use.

There is room for more improvement as he again pulled too hard in the early stages before showing a smart turn of foot and good stamina to record a clear victory.

If he can learn to settle better he will be capable of winning in a much higher grade. Indeed, his trainer nominated The Vertem Futurity over a mile at Doncaster in the autumn as the long-term target.

A race I always enjoy. For those not familiar with the race it is run over five furlongs and is restricted to two-year olds that have been sold at public auction for a price of no more than £63,000.

The most expensive horse is allotted top weight down to the least expensive at the foot of the weights; with penalties for any previous winner at Group, Listed or Class Two level.

Chipotle is a top-priced 11-4 and certainly merits his place at the head of the market after a good win in the Windsor Castle Stakes.

At a general 12-1, my selection would be the Karl Burke trained Guilded. She finished five lengths behind Chipotle at Ascot, when in receipt of 5lb, and is now in receipt of 9lb. Additionally, I hope that this flatter track might see her improve on what she has previously shown.

Little Earl holds an entry in Rose Bowl Stakes at Newbury on Friday.

He was fourth in the Dragon Stakes over five furlongs at Sandown last time, when he lacked the necessary speed in the middle part of the race and as a consequence found himself trapped on the rail. Once out of trouble, he ran on well without troubling the winner.

The step up to six furlongs promises to suit him and I hope he can deliver another winner for his red-hot sire Havana Gold.

A stoutly bred filly by New Approach, she ran well on debut when finishing four lengths behind her highly rated stable mate, Attagirl.

The trip of 6f provided her with an insufficient test. She was outpaced early but I loved how she knuckled down and attacked her challenge.

I will be a strong supporter of her when she runs over seven furlongs.