European Pattern 2013: Group 1s for 2 year olds

Another Flat season approaches – so here’s last year’s Group 1 two year old form from across Europe.

The format’s not ideal, with only a fleeting glimpse of Elie Lelouche’s Ectot, and the niggling problem of the mean-spirited Racing UK – who don’t like to share their footage cleanly.

As the poor punter looks forward to the 2,000 Guineas it’s worth noting that nine of the last 15 winners either won or contested a Group 1 in their juvenile year, which is perhaps a bigger number than you might have thought?

Good horses, even great ones, sometimes plot a more modest route to the first Classic (Sea The Stars was kept to Group 2, Footstepsinthesand Group 3). And this year we’ll have to wait until the day to see if Australia or Kingman are really up to it. The prominence of these two in the ante-post market leaves Toormore quite tantalisingly priced at 8/1. His Group 1 winning form, in the National Stakes, looks the most compelling on display here.

The 1,000 Guineas is, on the face of it, less predictable. Only six of the last 15 won or contested a Group 1 in their juvenile year. But if you cheated, and added runners in the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes, your six becomes 10.

After all, the fillies in Great Britain don’t have their own Dewhurst. Over 6f, 7f and 8f the colts have the Middle Park, Dewhurst and Racing Post Trophy. The fillies have the 6f Cheveley Park and the Fillies’ Mile. The Rockfel run over 7f (and won last year by Al Thakhira) is such an obvious trial.

Whether he can do it must be open to doubt, but it would be good to see the sprightly Clive Brittain train one more Classic winner. By mid-June last year Rizeena was a three time winner over 5f – not exactly the type you’d expect to see winning the following season’s Guineas. But here’s hoping.

Phoenix: SUDIRMAN