First-season sires out to make their mark in Weatherbys Super Sprint
A delayed Flat season has denied this year's first-crop sires - particularly those standing towards the more commercial end of the market - the usual opportunities to showcase their talents. But on Sunday some of those stallions get a big chance to put their name in lights with the Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury.
The conditions of the race, with weights allocated based on purchase price, arguably favour the progeny of first-season sires, as their offspring are likely to have commanded lower prices at last year's sales on account of not having had the chances to prove their merits on the racecourse.
Of the 25 set to line up, a dozen are by first-season sires, including Get It, who could start favourite.
View full Weatherbys Super Sprint Stakes racecard
The Clive Cox-trained colt is by Cheveley Park Stud's Twilight Son, who has already fielded his first stakes winner, with daughter Aria Importante landing the Group 3 Premio Primi Passi in Italy, though the dual Group 1-winning son of Kyllachy is still awaiting his first success in Britain or Ireland.
Get It, who sold to Bobby O'Ryan for £20,000 as a yearling, arguably brings the best form into the race, having finished fourth to Tactical in the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot.
Darley's Belardo has got off to a promising start with five European winners to his name already, and has impressive debut scorer Lullaby Moon running for him in the Super Sprint. The filly, a half-sister to the useful Celebration, gets into the race off a nice low weight of 8st 3lb, having fetched just 16,000gns when signed for by Dan Tunmore and GB Horseracing.
Enduring looks an interesting contender for Rathasker Stud's Coulsty having run out a cosy winner at Kempton, and looks well bought by Highflyer Bloodstock and trainer Eve Johnson Houghton having cost just £10,000.
The John Dance-owned Disco Beats became a first winner for Chapel Stud's Pearl Secret, and the 20,000gns yearling wouldn't be without hope after a comfortable success at Musselburgh last time.
Tally-Ho Stud's Mehmas has opened up an early lead over his first-season sire rivals with nine winners already on the board, and the son of Acclamation has five representatives.
The shortest-priced among the quintet is Nelson Gay, who has shown ability in novice races at Yarmouth and Newbury either side of finishing down the field in the Norfolk. Mehmas is also represented by Aussie Stormer, who is towards the head of the weights having cost £50,000, Kim Wexler, Kool Moe Dee and Ocean Eyes.
Whitsbury Manor Stud's Adaay has supplied seven winners thus far, and could register an eighth with £18,000 yearling Onaraggatip lining up for last year's winning trainer Rod Millman, while Estidhkaar is set to be represented by Risque, though both appear to have plenty to find on form.
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