Doncaster Group 1 gives Aidan O'Brien another chance to play with his fascinating juvenile jigsaw puzzle
I'm slightly dreading a brilliant performance from Diego Velazquez in the Kameko Futurity Stakes at Doncaster on Saturday, odd-sounding words that reflect an internal conflict in my racing brain.
The idea of an unbeaten juvenile doing his stuff in a defining end-of-season Group 1 race – assuming of course that Doncaster survives the weather – is exhilarating and enthralling. I would love to see the Aidan O'Brien-trained colt, a Group 2 winner over a mile at Leopardstown on Irish Champion Stakes day, emerge with flying colours from his probable clash with rivals such as Ancient Wisdom and Dancing Gemini.
However, an extravagant display would prompt mixed feelings. I reckon I have already seen two exceptional O'Brien-trained juvenile colts this season in City Of Troy and Henry Longfellow, either of whom look capable of completing a Guineas/Derby double. Can we cope with a third? Is it realistic?
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on inAlan Sweetman
Last updated
- Ireland's racing fortunes have never ridden higher - what a pity so few people are actually watching
- City Of Troy stands on the brink of something truly extraordinary - not that you'd know it from the wider sporting media
- Did racing really need another Ballydoyle benefit? It's time to pull the plug on the big-value Irish Cesarewitch
- Ireland v Britain: it's almost a score draw as the curtain comes down on Irish Group 1 programme
- Shark Hanlon ruling might have divided social media - but legal heavyweights add real substance to these decisions
- Ireland's racing fortunes have never ridden higher - what a pity so few people are actually watching
- City Of Troy stands on the brink of something truly extraordinary - not that you'd know it from the wider sporting media
- Did racing really need another Ballydoyle benefit? It's time to pull the plug on the big-value Irish Cesarewitch
- Ireland v Britain: it's almost a score draw as the curtain comes down on Irish Group 1 programme
- Shark Hanlon ruling might have divided social media - but legal heavyweights add real substance to these decisions