What You Doing Dewing?

I have been deliberating about this topic for quite some time but I cannot fathom a definitive explanation for it.

Its mid August. Ebor festival is on the horizon and we are still reminiscing that glorious afternoon last month when we saw the ”The Clash of the Titans”. Two horses in the prime of their racing careers battling it out for group 1 glory. It may not have been the royal meeting but the ”Queen” of racing prevailed on this occasion. It was the spectacle we had been craving for all season.

Which brings me to my main agenda; The state of play in the 3-year-old division. There is no denying Enable and Crystal Ocean are the stars of 2019. However it wasn’t exactly difficult to make a name for yourself this season. This year’s crop of 3-year-olds have flattered to deceive in many ways so far. The question is why?

Last year, we watched Too Darn Hot in awe as he destroyed his rivals in his juvenile campaign. Punters around the UK were licking their lips in excitement to see him romp home in this year’s 1000 guineas. Maybe we would see another Frankel?

Unfortunately that was not the case as injury curtailed his 3 year old campaign, meaning he would miss the first classic. Life goes on as Magna Grecia capitalised from a volatile 1000 Guineas market that had been unsettled ever since TDH was withdrawn. That win was marred by the draw bias debate which soon proved to be irrelevant and we all witnessed the 3-year-old division beginning to turn tumultuous.

Every winner of the UK and Irish classics won by being the front-runner for all or large parts of their respective races. Also, they were subjected to little or no challenge from the rest of the field in those races. Coincidence? Not a chance. I’ll explain:

Magna Grecia (as previously mentioned) made a rather feeble attempt to win back-to-back 2000 guineas. I backed him to be a star this season.

(as previously mentioned) made a rather feeble attempt to win back-to-back 2000 guineas. I backed him to be a star this season. Hermosa DID win back-to-back 1000 guineas in some style. however, 2 disappointing defeats followed and question marks has to be asked about her race fitness in those defeats.

DID win back-to-back 1000 guineas in some style. however, 2 disappointing defeats followed and question marks has to be asked about her race fitness in those defeats. Phoenix of Spain dominated his rivals in the Irish 2000 Guineas but poor runs at Royal Ascot and Goodwood followed and puts considerable doubt about that success at the Curragh.

dominated his rivals in the Irish 2000 Guineas but poor runs at Royal Ascot and Goodwood followed and puts considerable doubt about that success at the Curragh. Sovereign was the pacemaker for the O’Brien brigade at the Derby. He had other ideas in the Irish version, as he shocked all and blitzed the field.

My mind is blown! Sovereign’s victory throws that Derby form into total disarray. i have called it ”The Derby Debacle”. That is my apt way of describing the following horses:

Anthony Van Dyck won the race with Seamie Heffernan weaving himself the perfect path to claim glory. He was no match for sovereign at the Curragh and was further outclassed by the older generation at Ascot last month.

won the race with Seamie Heffernan weaving himself the perfect path to claim glory. He was no match for sovereign at the Curragh and was further outclassed by the older generation at Ascot last month. Madhmoon ran a blinder to finish second behind AVD. Hopefully his run at the Curragh was just a blip.

ran a blinder to finish second behind AVD. Hopefully his run at the Curragh was just a blip. Broome was again another horse who ran well in the Derby, only to thoroughly disappoint in the Irish Derby.

Despite all of this, there are some horses that did change the fortunes of 2019’s lackadaisical 3-year-old division slightly.

Too Darn Hot (mentioned previously) recovered from injury and was tipped to be a Derby horse. a defeat in the Dante dashed those dreams and the transition back down to a mile did not go to plan. Wins in France and Goodwood re-affirmed his class and its a shame that an injury has ended his career prematurely.

(mentioned previously) recovered from injury and was tipped to be a Derby horse. a defeat in the Dante dashed those dreams and the transition back down to a mile did not go to plan. Wins in France and Goodwood re-affirmed his class and its a shame that an injury has ended his career prematurely. Advertise and Ten Sovereigns were both victims of poor planning. after ill-advised runs in the 1000 Guineas, they both got back to winning ways at Royal Ascot and Newmarket respectively after being dropped back to their optimum trip.

and were both victims of poor planning. after ill-advised runs in the 1000 Guineas, they both got back to winning ways at Royal Ascot and Newmarket respectively after being dropped back to their optimum trip. Japan and Circus Maximus are two horses that have improved after the ‘Derby Debacle. Japan won back-to back group 1’s and CM has won and placed since being dropped back in trip.

and are two horses that have improved after the ‘Derby Debacle. Japan won back-to back group 1’s and CM has won and placed since being dropped back in trip. Starcatcher has relished the step up in trip, winning the Irish Oaks and the Royal Ascot equivalent. she has the unenviable task to challenge ”Queen” Enable later this month. Good luck with that!

There are other that I have missed like Sir Dragonet and King of Comedy. They might improve later on this season after minor setbacks but on the whole, we have not been treated to a 3-year-old division like ones before.

You could say last year followed a similar trend until the emergence of Sea Of Class and Roaring Lion set the standard for the division. Its devastating that the former is no longer with us and the latter is battling the same condition. Keep strong RL!

Now its time to put it all in perspective. I know its unfair but I cant help comparing each 3-year-old division to the purple patch we were blessed with in 2011. I know we will never have another Frankel, but many of the rival horses he beat went on to achieve great things. I do not know if i can say the same for this crop of 3-year-olds.

Its worth noting that the early signs from this year’s juveniles are promising. Hopefully, we will be seeing Arizona, Armory, Pinatubo and Siskin competing for honours next year, assuming they follow the same upward trajectory. Only time will tell but we always should look forward. Who knows, we may see a breakthrough 3-year old that will rescue this division from its slumber.

Do you agree? Please feel free to express your views on the topic as I welcome all feedback on my blogs. Follow me to see What I Am ”Dewing” next!

Peace Out.

Pictures are not my own. All credit goes to connections.