Expert Analysis

A race weakened by the withdrawal of Tadej (useful on his day) and Samangan did not have a great deal to beat, but he beat them well enough and in the process put up the best performance by a French-trained juvenile colt in 2025 (not an especially high bar as it happens). An overall time of 70.39s implies “good” going (the distance is slightly short of what is advertised), as does the winner’s final 400m of 22.60s (105.0% finishing speed).

SAMANGAN (113+ here, 108+ previously) won readily rather than especially impressively but in the process probably put up the best performance by a French-trained juvenile colt in an otherwise disappointing year. He tracked the pace before making smooth headway 400m out, leading soon after and briefly under the whip, drawing on under hands and heels late. A son of Blue Point, he is pretty speedy himself.

STREET SHOW (104 here, 95 previously) had won a nursery at C&D the time before and ran quite a bit better again up against a smart rival, held up but in touch, following that one through and running on though only briefly looking as if he might give Samangan a fight.

GRAFT (95 here and previously) has his limitations but is just about useful, and quite consistent with it, running creditably again here despite being short of room and losing ground at the start.

TRINQUETTE (91 here, 94 previously)

ROYAL BAY CEN (77 here, 93 previously)