Trainer Luca Cumani is renowned for steadily improving horses, with his string tending to progress with racing, and that looks exactly how the early career of Deserted will pan out. The three-year-old, a half-sister to the useful Too Much Trouble and out of a dam who is a half-sister to 1989 Oaks winner Snow Bride, herself the dam of Lammtarra, went as if in need of the run, but not before shaping with promise, on her sole juvenile outing at Newbury in July of last year.
Deserted made her 2013 return at Doncaster last Friday, finishing third to John Gosden's Ethel and shaping with distinct promise, beaten just over half a length. She was arguably unlucky to finish closer still, starting slowly, showing signs of greenness and refusing to settle fully prior to running on late without being unduly punished. Deserted is quite stoutly bred on her dam's side of the pedigree so she is certain to stay a mile and could even relish the step up in trip given how she went through the race at Doncaster. Further progress seems highly likely and she looks well up to winning a maiden before kicking on to greater things.
Flat Notebook 2013
Having hit the crossbar a couple of weeks ago with three seconds the Notebook horses struck back with a vengeance last week, with both Integral and Mankini hitting the mark. The first mentioned, the second foal of the smart Echelon, looks well capable of emulating her multiple pattern-race winning dam as she took the leap from maiden company to listed level in her stride at Sandown. The Sir Michael Stoute-trained filly looked an exciting prospect as she showed a handy turn of foot to sweep from last to first in a race where the pace lifted upon entering the straight, looking to hand the advantage to those that raced prominently. Integral is sure to win more races and is certainly worth following from this point.
Mankini made up for his Leicester defeat by routing a small field at Doncaster on Friday, being suited as was anticipated by the step up to a mile and a half. The manner of his success was taking, merely needing to be pushed out by Kirsty Milczarek to score by nine lengths, and it will be a surprise if he doesn't win more races though it is worth noting that he faces a hefty rise in the handicap and he may now be given a break by connections having had three pretty rapid outings.
Looking Ahead
It is worth taking a quick look at the upcoming fixtures, as plenty of our flagged horses hold entries. Arguably of most interest are Cape Peron, who could tackle a listed race at Newmarket on Thursday, Ertijaal, who figures prominently on the Timeform weight-adjusted ratings for the Group 2 July Stakes and has the large 'P' on his rating, Loving Spirit, who should get in the Bunbury Cup and looks tailor-made for a race of that nature, and Salford Red Devil, who was most unlucky not to win last time and will be hoping to make amends at Chester on Friday.
Current List:
Jamaican Bolt - Of interest in five-furlong handicaps with cut in the ground.
Mombasa - Of interest in handicaps, particularly if stepped up to one and a half miles.
Loving Spirit - One to note in seven furlong or one-mile handicaps.
Border Legend - Remains unexposed and one to bear in mind for handicaps.
Galileo Rock - A strong stayer who can make an impact at Group level when the emphasis is on stamina.
Pether's Moon - An unexposed, progressive three-year-old that started life in handicaps on a good mark.
Salford Red Devil - Plenty of promise first two starts, unlucky not to win last time. Can gain compensation.
Cape Peron - Ultra-progressive three-year-old that already looks like a group-class performer.
Polar Venture - An unexposed, well-handicapped sprinter capable of better.
Integral - Took step up to listed class in her stride, exciting prospect.
Mankini - Routed rivals when stepped up to a mile and a half, should win more races.
Glorious Protector - Boasts strong form in maidens and unsuited by steady pace on handicap debut.
My Catch - Maiden who travelled very strongly at Royal Ascot.
Kingman - Incredibly impressive debut, running to a big figure in a quick time. Very exciting prospect.
Ertijaal - Above-average early achievements, impressive in success at Yarmouth last time. Pattern performer in the making.
Deserted - Improved when third at Doncaster on second start, will stay further an continue progressing.
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