Classic Crop 2021/22

It’s early days but we are starting to get a picture of the potential of the current crop of 3yos.
Last year’s crop was above average, both fillies and colts, and provided that the top ones keep racing, the 3yos will have to be very smart to beat them when they clash later in the season.
Cosmic Highway ran a very decent race in the Matchem. Seeking the Stars is deadly over 1400m, and despite the wide draw was able to get up handy and then hold off the challenges fromSilver Operator and Cosmic Highway in a fast and true run race. Cosmic Highway was ridden patiently from quite a few lengths back, and ran on well in the straight. He was on his own down the inside rail, while the other two were together down the middle of the track. It’s quite possible that if he had had company, he might have fought harder in the closing stages.
Nonetheless, he ran at least to his rating of 108, and possibly a few pounds higher, and as he strengthens up and goes further, he has scope to improve. A promising sign for the colts.
There were no 3yos in the Diana, but Under Your Spell and Big Burn run today in the Fillies Spring Challenge, and both have already had good runs this season, and should dominate that race.
There is a lone 3yo in the male race, and he is up against some very smart older horses.

So far, no worries about the strength of this years Classic crop of both sexes.

In no particular order, and I’ve probably overlooked a few
Fillies
Under You Spell
Rain in Holland
Sheela
Sound Of Warning
Desert Miracle
Kailene
Supreme Quest
Big Burn
Heavens Girl
Twice the Trip
Gimme Dat
High Hosanna
Maria Querol
Amanzimtoti
Santa Maria
Mercury Rising
Maryah

Colts
Ambiorix
Good Traveller
Bard of Avon
William Robertson
Cosmic Highway
Honokalani
Smorgasbord
Party Time
Waterberry Lane
AJs Captain
Dyce

I may be way of the mark, but I think Aragosta is more deserving of a mention than the Cat

The key prep races for the Cape Guineas and Fillies Guineas took place on Saturday.
Amanzimtoti came from off the pace with a sustained finishing burst to win the Fillies Championship going away. She should have no trouble with the step up to 1600m and the long run in of the summer course will suit her. It will be difficult for any that she beat here to turn the tables, althoughKailene and Maria Querol perhaps needed this. Kailene ran a real shocker, so we still don’t have a proper line on the Cape vs other fillies. The second and third, Chansonette and Mercury Rising were much improved.
Interestingly, I thought that Amanzimtoti went down to the start very scratchy, but certainly came back well enough.
If Desert Miracle and/ or Big Burn pitch up for the Cape Fillies Guineas, they will be stern opposition.
Trip of Fortune followed up on his sparkling last effort, where he had accounted for last year’s Guineas winner on unfavourable weight terms, and also won going away. His time marginally slower than that of the girls’ race carrying a kilo less, and a much tighter finish.
Zapatillas was not disgraced in second, but the run that should be noted was the fast finishing Xavion. Only having his 3rd start, and first time around the bend, he was a bit unlucky in the closing stages. He should also enjoy the step up in trip and the new course in the Guineas, and he will be a lively contender. Double Superlative ran on for 4th without ever looking dangerous, and he looks more of a Derby horse.

Desert Miracle confirmed her status as the leading 3yo filly, and possibly the best of both sexes.
Big Burn looked to be cruising, but was run out of it by Marigold and One Night in Paris. The latter only having her 3rd start and having had to travel, so certainly a filly to be reckoned with. BB was giving them 2kg and made all, so should not be written off on this performance.
Alesian Chief showed he is a very decent sprinter even though on pedigree one would think that he has scope to go further. Sheela not disgraced on her seasonal debut.
The CTS RTR race in CT was a big field and a few hard luck stories due to wide draws, but a smart performance by the winner, Fifty Fiver, and the fourth placed Bush Tracker for the colts, both from good draws. It was the narrowest of defeats for Dancetildaylight which jumped from the worst draw and ran on magnificently from way back. She is also lightly raced and looks capable of bigger things. Queen of Shadows not far off from a good draw, and Homely Girl also a good effort from a wide draw.
Good Traveller made his seasonal debut in a competitive 1000m race, but was outpaced and well beaten and will need to step up from that effort.

PeterD wrote:

In no particular order, and I’ve probably overlooked a few
Fillies
Under You Spell
Rain in Holland
Sheela
Sound Of Warning
Desert Miracle
Kailene
Supreme Quest
Big Burn
Heavens Girl
Twice the Trip
Gimme Dat
High Hosanna
Maria Querol
Amanzimtoti
Santa Maria
Mercury Rising
Maryah

Colts
Ambiorix
Good Traveller
Bard of Avon
William Robertson
Cosmic Highway
Honokalani
Smorgasbord
Party Time
Waterberry Lane
AJs Captain
Dyce

Peter I think you might add Safe Passage to that list.

The Concorde is an important prep for the Cape Guineas.
Van Niekerk rode a very enterprising race on Pomp and Power, and held on well to beat Cosmic Highway. Good Traveller will meet them in the Guineas on 2kg better terms for a length and a half beating, so very little between these three and all have realistic chances in the Guineas.
Never Ending Rain improved to run 4th, but 3L back.
Xavion failed to build on his previous run, and was very disappointing.
Ambiorix was well beaten in the Merchants. It’s possible that he needed the run, but not a good sign for the 3yo sprinters.