The Supreme Racing Guide’s Top
AFTER the publication last week of the Top 10 moments of the 2018 Racing Year, the team from the Supreme Racing Guide was faced with the arduous task of coming up with the Top 10 Horses to Follow in 2019.
This particular task was made even more difficult with a sluggish two-yearold campaign last year, thereby significantly reducing the options available to the team.
Nevertheless, the Top 10 Horse to Follow was arrived at and, the team shares their choices with readers.
The Top 10 Horses to Follow banks on the possible potential of the horses chosen and eliminates from consideration horses who have already established themselves at the various levels.
It is to be noted that from the list of Top 10 Horses to Follow for 2019, the Supreme Racing Guide was able to spot the winners of the 1000 Guineas, the Derby and the Governor’s Cup.
The horses in the Top 10 are not listed with any particular preference.
DUKE – (three-year-old grey colt by Casual Trick – Lady Macbeth) – Released the maiden tag over 7 ½ furlongs (1,500m) on January 1, 2019, by half of a fighting length over King Tavari. Prior to that, Duke had raced three times delivering credible performances which suggested that he will be better going long and the longer races form the body of the Classics. However, that win on New Year’s Day in which he ran 1:33.2 for the distance, suggested that Duke is heading in the right direction and should be a better animal this season. Although not as advanced as some of his peers, Duke is being prepared to give of his best in the Classic races. Watch this horse closely and for sure his trainer Richard Azan, who has been having a lean spell with his three-year-olds, knows how to produce Classic winners. Duke is a valid Top 10 Horse to Follow.
FATHER PATRICK – (three-year-old chestnut colt by Nuclear Wayne – Late Appeal) – Made an impressive debut on January 12, 2019 when making all the running in a 5 ½ furlong (1,100m) maiden condition race. With Omar Walker in the saddle, Father Patrick won by five lengths in an impressive clocking of 1:06.2 and although he wasn’t challenged throughout the race, he looks a good galloper. Showing signs of the running style of his half-brother Crucial Appeal, Father Patrick, if he improves as is expected, is going to develop into a more than reasonable sprint and middle-distance runner. One to watch during the Classic campaign, especially in the 2000 Guineas and is going to have much more to offer among his fellow three-year-olds and beyond.
EXTRUDER – (three-yearold chestnut colt by Adore The Gold – Mama Blossom) – The placing of Extruder in the Top 10 list of horses to follow in 2019 is going to be the most controversial, because we don’t know how good this colt really is at this point in his racing career. The Spencer Chung trainee made his debut on January 12, 2019 and finished in second spot behind the highly rated Father Patrick at 5 ½ furlongs. Extruder was seen making mild headway in the straight and it is now expected to continue the natural process of development. Extruder, right now, might not possess the Classic qualities of his more established peers, but the Supreme Racing Guide’s team believes he will be noticed down the line. is a chance selection, yet the belief is that talent is there. Let’s wait and see.
CUSTER – (three-year-old chestnut colt by Blue Pepsi Lodge – Pattygirl) – Was a 2 ½ length winner on July 8, 2018 over three furlongs (600m). Custer won in a time of 35.4 and was expected to have an impact in the rest of the two-year-old races but got injured and was sidelined for the rest of the season. Custer returned to competitive racing on January 12, 2019 over seven furlongs (1,400m) and finished in fourth place behind Supreme Soul, leading the field before he gave away his lead inside the final furlong and a half (300m). He should benefit from that run and maybe he will need one or two more races to be fully effective, but he is surely one to watch this season. Another chance selection by the Supreme Racing Guide team, and only time will tell.
SUPREME SOUL – (threeyear-old chestnut colt by Soul Warrior – Beware Baby) – On December 8, 2018, as a twoyear-old, the Anthony Nunesconditioned Supreme Soul made his debut over a mile (1,600m) in a field of 11 runners as the 4-5 favourite. With the experienced Shane Ellis in the saddle, Supreme Soul made all the running to win by eight lengths going away from El Gringo and company. The half-brother to Bigdaddykool then returned in the Jamaica Two-year-olds Stakes over the same distance, and after he was outpaced in the early part of the race, he came with a strong effort in deep stretch only to be outdone by half-alength by Run Thatcher Run. Supreme Soul showed improvement and his undoubted class when he slammed rivals by 8 ½ lengths going seven furlongs on January 12 in a time of 1:26.0, which was more than adequate proof of his growth and stature as one of the leading lights among his age group. He is consistently showing that he will be better going long and with most of the Classic