MyRacehorse

futures part 2: fact or fiction?

This is a forecast, plenty will be wrong, but hopefully a few will be right. So, get involved via the polls and comments below and let us know if the targets outlined are “fact” or “fiction”.

Nostradamus is back with part 2 of his futures predictions. In part 1 we saw some exciting predictions that readers agreed with, will it be the same this time? Take a read below and let us know what you think via the comments and polls!

JUST FINE

What can the great warlord accomplish in the Autumn of 2025? A Group 1 winner over 2400m in the Metropolitan of 2023. Just Fine then claimed stakes glory in the Bart Cummings of the spring 2024 which gave him a golden ticket into the Melbourne Cup. Evidently, finishing 23/23 with no excuses, the 2 mile circuit proved a bit too much for this Sea The Stars gelding. He is a particular animal… he needs the conditions in his favour and to be feeling up to it on race day to show his best.
The difference between his best and worst are further apart than most, which makes watching him as predictable as a game of Russian roulette. At his best, Just Fine is competitive at the top level between 2000m-2400m. From all reports with the stable, he is going toe to toe at trackwork with his sparring partner, Vauban. Will he get consistently back to his best or is his best behind him?

This chart is updated every 5 minutes.

MEDIEVAL WARRIOR

After seeing this 2YO (as a colt) last preparation in two trials, it was particularly the second trial where he finished 2^nd under a tight hold that caught the eye. By Hanseatic, you would assume he is bred to sprint, however his cross with a Shamardal mare (Cameo), has thrown up an interesting speed gene result of 1400-2000m. This is reflective in what we have seen publicly, a long striding type who will continue to furnish with time and improve as he steps up to 1400m and beyond. After just returning to pre-training, the race I think he would give a good shake may come up too soon on ANZAC Day, but if good enough, there are some nice guineas style targets ahead for Medieval Warrior.

This chart is updated every 5 minutes.

SAPPHIRE ROSE

A quality 2YO filly by Blue Point out of stakes winning sprinter, Rocket Commander. In her only public trial, Sapphire Rose won by 1.75L against a field that is stacking up on race day. Runner up, Rainbow Glow won on debut, Queen of Clubs came through the G3 Gimcrack, and Horseshoe Hill flashed home in the Wyong Magic Millions to finish behind the 2YO Magic Millions quinella – Memo and O Ole.
I have a lot of time for Sapphire Rose, but the issue will be based on the time she arrives back to training, the Sydney Autumn Carnival will come up too soon, so whether or not the stable want to float her to Queensland in her debut racing preparation will be a determining factor. If going well enough the pop up Magic Millions event worth $1M on the Gold Coast could be up her alley.

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CHARCOALS

Charcoals is a 3YO gelding by Too Darn Hot, with limited opportunities at the races he has rapidly progressed to a 66 rating following two convincing wins in his last two starts. The stable have patiently plotted his races, focussing on building the horses confidence up first and mastering his race craft. He has a sharp turn of foot and from 4 race starts he is yet to go further than 1100m. If we see Charcoals continue to progress through the grades, it wouldn’t be a total surprise to see him stretch out to 1200m and even 1400m through the Autumn Carnival. With stables in both Sydney and Melbourne, Charcoals has options aplenty, he is effective on top of the ground and cut through the soft 6 at Cranbourne at his most recent trial in style. Charcoals is versatile.

This chart is updated every 5 minutes.

unleeshing

A filly with enormous upside, plagued with setbacks in her most recent campaign, Unleeshing simply couldn’t get a crack at them. Her second placing to next start Magic Millions Sunlight winner, Private Harry, was full of merit and showcased just what kind of potential this filly by Dundeel has at her disposal
From just 4 career starts, Unleeshing has never been over further than 1200m, posting a race record of 4 -1:2:0, with her only blemish coming over 1100m on a leaders track at Canterbury, won by Manuscript (who Unleeshing defeated comfortably at Rosehill the start prior).
As a general rule Dundeel progeny are at their best between 1400m-2000m, on her dams page, Unleeshing is a half sister to NZ filly of the year Imelda Mary – a race winner from 1400m-2000m, and Mountain Guest an ATC Oaks runner, who finished 2^nd in the Group 3 Adrian Knox. All signs point to seeing the best in Unleeshing beyond 1400m and ideally on rain affected going. Returning to pre-training in the coming weeks, she will be up in time for a tilt at the Winter Carnival in Queensland.