Our man Jack Keene has picked out a group of exciting three-year-old’s to follow on the Flat this season
THE FLAT is back and I am absolutely buzzing – though it can be tricky as a punter to get your brain out of ‘jumps mode’ at this time of year.
So I’ve spent a couple of days refreshing the memory and have picked out ten three-year-old’s who are musts for the tracker ahead of the 2019 season.
Antonia De Vega
Trainer: Ralph Beckett
This well-bred filly was last seen running eighth in the Fillies Mile, after which she was found to have finished lame.
She had easily won the Prestige Stakes at Goodwood before that and she holds entries in the English and Irish 1000 Guineas and the Irish Oaks.
By Lope De Vega and out of a sister to Group 1 winner Al Wukair, she should flourish over a mile this year. Her owners Waverley Racing own three other exciting fillies to watch out for: Manuela De Vega, Dancing Vega and Feliciana De Vega.
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Arctic Sound
Trainer: Mark Johnston
A typically tough and progressive type for Mark Johnston, Arctic Sound rounded off his 2018 campaign with a victory in the Group 3 Tattersalls Stakes.
That looked a pretty strong race and he was going away at the finish over 7f, suggesting a step up in trip this year would suit.
There is plenty of speed in his pedigree, but he is by the late Poet’s Voice whose offspring often improve with age and distance.
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Boitron
Trainer: Richard Hannon
This colt has a touch of class about him, and he was impressive in winning his first three starts last summer.
He returned from a break to finish fourth in a Group 1 over a mile on Arc day at Longchamp on his final start.
I’m a big fan of his sire Le Havre and I think this lad will come into his own over middle distances this year.
Constantinople
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
The first of three entries for Ballydoyle on this list – and I confess I have already chucked a few speculative quid on this colt for the Derby.
He has a long way to go before he can be considered a true contender for the Epsom Classic, but he is a big, stoutly-bred horse who should come into his own this season.
It took a couple of runs for the penny to drop last autumn but he could hardly have been more impressive when breaking his maiden. He will be aimed at a Derby trial in the coming weeks.
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Fleeting
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
This daughter of Zoffany will undoubtedly form part of O’Brien’s formidable Classic-squad.
She was strong at the finish when winning the Group 2 May Hill Stakes at Doncaster in September over a mile.
She has plenty of stamina on her dam’s side of the family and she looks a lovely middle-distance prospect, while she shouldn’t be overlooked at fancy prices for the 1000 Guineas.
Great Scot
Trainer: Tom Dascombe
I am a big fan of this horse, who cost just £2,500 but improved with every visit to the racecourse in 2018.
He comfortably beat a promising sort in a Listed race at Haydock over a mile in September (despite pulling his rider’s arms out) and was fifth in the Vertem Futurity Trophy in October.
He is a strapping colt who will no doubt grow into his frame this year, and if he can learn to settle he could go to the very top over 1m-1m2f.
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Kiss For A Jewel
Trainer: Dermot Weld
Dermot Weld’s filly makes the list purely on her unlimited potential.
She is bred in the purple, being by Kingman and out of a Group 2 winning half-sister to Prince Of Wales’s Stakes hero Free Eagle.
She finished a very encouraging second on her debut at Galway in October and she is well entered up in all the Classics. It will be fascinating to see where she starts off this spring.
Ten three-year-old's for your tracker
- Antonia De Vega
- Arctic Sound
- Boitron
- Constantinople
- Fleeting
- Great Scot
- Kiss For A Jewel
- Pink Dogwood
- Sangarius
- Urban Icon
Pink Dogwood
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Another filly who I can’t wait to see upped in trip this year.
This daughter of Camelot is a sister to Irish Derby hero Latrobe, and she ran a cracker for fifth in a French Group 1 over a mile when last sighted.
She will relish a stiffer test of stamina this season and I have already had a few pennies on her for the Oaks.
Sangarius
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute
This colt burst onto the scene with an impressive maiden success at Newmarket in August.
He backed that up with a victory in the Listed Flying Scotsman Stakes at Doncaster before finishing fourth to Too Darn Hot in the Dewhurst.
This superbly-bred star appeals as the type to excel as a three-year-old, though I don’t expect him to be at his best in the early weeks of the season. Be patient with him and you will be rewarded.
Urban Icon
Trainer: Richard Hannon
Richard Hannon’s colt won both of his starts in dominant fashion in 2018 and was mooted as a Group horse in the making.
He sadly missed the second half of last season but he is clearly very highly-regarded, and if he were mine I’d exploit an opening mark of 96 in a handicap before tackling stakes company.
His stallion Cityscape is doing well with limited opportunities, and Urban Icon should have no trouble staying at least a mile.