Saturday 14th October - Newmarket

Without question, a quality entry at the five-day stage for this prestigious two-year-old contest and we should get a clearer picture of next season’s 2000 Guineas after its running. 

Expert Eye looks a worthy favourite on what we’ve seen so far and the form of both his maiden win at Newbury (Barraquero, Mutakatif and Petrus all won since) and, Vintage Stakes at Goodwood (fourth-placed James Garfield went on to win Mill Reef next time) couldn’t have worked out any better. The way he cantering his way past decent horses at the Sussex venue when last seen was a sight to behold and he could easily turn out to be one of the best we’ve seen for a while if he trains on at three. The only slight question mark is that he has missed several engagements following a dirty scope and it has to be taken on trust that he’s bang on top of his game after a 74-day absence. 

The obvious alternative for many would be verbal Dexterity and hailing from a yard that has captured this prize five times in recent years, he commands the utmost respect. His victory over the smart Beckford in the National Stakes at the Curragh was backed up by the clock and Jim Bolger’s inmate has the qualities and attitude normally associated with a genuine Group 1 colt. 

If there is going to be a fly in the ointment, it could turn out to be EMARAATY who has rather surprisingly in many ways been fast-tracked from winning a maiden to be asked to tackle the very best in this Group 1 contest. The reason for the slight unexpectedness of this decision is that he looked more of a long-term project after his win at Newbury and given that his trainer John Gosden doesn’t like to rush his potentially top-class horses with a lot of potential, it’s significant in that the Newmarket handler has decided to bite the bullet with his charge at this early stage of his career. Clearly, Gosden, believes his colt is good enough to compete with the very best and it’s easy to see why he would have taken that view based on what we’ve seen of him so far.

A massive eye-catcher first time out at Sandown, he surely would have won easily but for his lack of knowledge on his first day at school, but he did at least record the sort of sectional time from four out to suggest he could be something special (only Barney Roy and Ulysses in the Eclipse run quicker from same point this season). Backing up that view in no uncertain terms on his second outing, the son of Dubawi was a totally different proposition when making all the running to score in decisive fashion and although he probably didn’t beat much, the numbers he posted while seemingly in second gear suggests he’s a colt befitting of his pedigree and price tag. 

 

 

Other than some patchy rain on Wednesday, the forecast for the remainder of the week has a fairly dry look to it and that should turn out to be a perfect for Emaraaty who has the action of a horse that will really appreciate genuine quick ground. Indeed, given his natural exuberance at the Berkshire track 21 days ago, letting him slide along at the head of affairs come Saturday won’t necessarily be a bad thing as based on the last meeting at HQ, most of the winners came from being up with the pace. Whichever way you strip it down, this exciting colt easily has the most potential of the entire field and providing he has the mentality to come through this task with flying colours, his current odds of 20-1 for next season’s 2000 Guineas will seem like a distant memory. 

Emaraaty - 1pt e/w @ 8/1
Emaraaty - 2000 Guineas 2018 - 0.5pts e/w @ 20/1