Eight flat racing stars to add to your tracker for the 2018 season
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Flat season is almost upon us
The Cheltenham Festival has passed and the Grand National is yet to come, but in-between the pair the flat season starts in earnest.
Everyone already knows about stars including Enable, Whisper and Lady Aurelia. They’ll come out to play later in the year. But what about some of the lesser known fancies and promising progenies?
The Coral News Team have delved head first into the equine action and picked out eight stars you should add to your tracker ahead of the new season…
Clemmie
Not many daughters of Galileo can do what Clemmie does over 6f. But this three-year-old is clearly something special. She stepped up through the Groups like a knife through butter last season, landing the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes and the Cheveley Park Stakes.
She’s impressed over the shorter distance so far. And now connections could be set to step her up in trip. Newmarket’s 1000 Guineas will be the target, where she’s the 3/1 ante-post favourite.
Thrave
Beaten on debut by Fortune’s Pearl, Thrave followed up with a handy success in September’s Maiden Stakes at Newmarket.
Trainer Henry Candy knows what he’s on about. So when he pinpointed the Guineas Trial for this horse, the Coral News Team sat up and took notice.
The three-year-old looks primed for the challenge over 1m after appearing to have plenty on the bank over 7f last time out.
Kew Gardens
Odds are you’re already aware of impressive three-year-old Kew Gardens. But if you’re not, then stick him in your tracker quick.
Another off the O’Brien production line, this son of Galileo hosed up to land the Listed Zetland Stakes by over 3l from Dee Ex Bee in October.
He looks to be bit behind stablemate Saxon Warrior, who beat him in the Beresford Stakes at Naas last year. Yet we think there’s more to come from the Irish raider. Given the right conditions and correct trip, he could shock more than a few big names this season.
Stradivarius
Enable proved the star for John Gosden last year. But Stradivarius enjoyed an excellent year by anyone’s standards. The Irish-bred raider progressed up the classes before landing the Goodwood Cup Stakes from the highly-fancied Big Orange in August.
Subsequent third-place finishes on far from ideal ground in the St Leger and Long Distance Cup should hold him in good stead. The distance star could be set for an exciting 2018. He’s 7/1 ante-post for the Ascot Gold Cup in June.
Roaring Lion
The second Gosden horse to feature on our list, Roaring Lion enjoyed a stunning debut season as a two-year-old.
After hacking up in two Class 4 successes, he handled the step up to black-type company with aplomb; beating O’Brien’s Nelson by a neck.
He later suffered neck defeat in the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy Stakes. But that’s nothing to be ashamed of. The Coral News Team are expecting the 1m specialist to go even better this term. He’s 10/1 for the 2000 Guineas and 16/1 for The Derby.
Mojito
William Haggas’ four-year-old showed plenty of promise last season. The son of Requinto excelled over 7f-1m, landing successive Class 3 and Class 2 contests with plenty of style.
On his last run, the raider finished plum last in the Ascot Challenge Cup. But the Coral News Team are willing to write a line through that form. He’s shown what he’s capable of and for a progressive horse, it should only prove a minor setback.
He’s one to keep an eye on this season.
Amedeo Modigliani
Amedeo Modigliani has shown some serious quality in his two starts so far. The three-year-old stayed well and finished strongly in both races, coming out on top in a Galway Maiden last time out.
He has the option of going over 1m4 or a 1m, although his style suggests connections could well opt with the former. He’s the joint-second favourite for the Epsom Derby.
Lady of Shalott
It’s early days for Camelot progeny Lady of Shalott. But the signs are good. David Simcock’s filly was given a patient ride before stretching clear by over 2l on debut at Yarmouth last October.
The trainer also saddled Teppal to a maiden success last term. And she followed up with an even more impressive win on her second start at Kempton. On that basis, the signs are good for Lady Shalott.
Prospective punters should note that the horse also holds an entry for the Group 1 Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh in July.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
