3yo Prospects Provide Classy Double
Unraced 2yo’s are the unknown quantity where everyone can begin to dream. Although not unknown, when they mature into 3yo’s there is also that anticipation, seeing whether they have progressed from their youth and are fulfilling their potential. It was two smart 3yo’s who provided a double as Volterra and Vantheman took the honours win impressive fashion.
Volterra had been a progressive juvenile but was always a colt who looked likely to be better at 3yo. Returning after a break is always difficult but Volterra proved to be far too good when taking the 1m William hill Extra Place Races Handicap at Newmarket.
Starting his racing career in the Convivial Maiden at York, showed that he had been delivering the rights signs at home. It is one of the best maidens of the year and a solid fourth on debut confirmed that Volterra had potential. Although he didn’t win next time out he did at the third attempt, breaking his maiden at Redcar.
Volterra had shown progression in all three starts as a 2yo but he had also shown plenty of inexperience. All runs were over 7f but the way he won at Redcar, suggested that he would be better with a little further.
Starting the new season off a mark of 82, the hopes were that Volterra would quickly leave that behind him and could aim for bigger races. First of all he would have to get the first run out of the way and he headed to Newmarket with Neil Callan in the saddle. Lining up against 7 rivals, on his first attempt at 1 mile, Volterra was well supported into 7/4 favouritism.
Favourite backers may have been panicking early on as Volterra took a very keen hold early on. He gave Neil a good fight through the first furlong, trying to go faster than his jockey fancied. Neil got a good grip but also made a move to stay away from the main group of runners, leaving the other pace setters alone, looking to not get his mount to continue to race. This separation proved key and Volterra eventually dropped his head as they galloped down the straight mile.
As the field moved past halfway the two groups joined up, with very little separating all 8 runners. Having settled, Volterra travelled just on the leader’s tail and moved smoothly through the race. The field actually got racing quite a way out and after passing the 3f marker the leader try to stretch the rest of the field. This move may have been forced by Volterra who matched the leader, yet did so with the minimum of fuss.
Callan started to work away upon his mount as they raced into the dip. It was all hands and heels as he got the colt to lengthen. The pair began to stretch and move away from the rest. Nothing was able to go with Volterra and as he hit the dip he just took a breather before hitting the rising ground. Callan kept on working in the saddle and after his mount changed leads, they kicked on up the rising ground. The race was over and the only question was how far the winning margin would be. Striding out, Volterra continued to find and thrived over this longer trip opening up a 2 3/4 length margin.
It was an impressive display from Volterra and even more so when you think about how keen he was early on in the race. He won comfortably but looks value for even more, as Neil never had to get serious. The new trip of a mile looks ideal for the 3yo and he certainly looks like the type who could thrive in the big 3yo handicaps. The Silver Bowl at Haydock could be the perfect race for him with possibly the Britannia at Royal Ascot a nice summer target.
Later in the evening attention turned to the all-weather as Vantheman headed to Newcastle. The powerful son of Invincible Army was returning to the track and provided another smart performance when winning the 5f Get Raceday Ready Handicap.
Third on debut, Vantheman shed his maiden tag on only his second start. He then took another huge step forward when tackling the GoffsUK sales race at York. Finishing fifth in the ultra competitive race was a career best and really showed that he was a nice prospect moving forward. Unfortunately the his last run was disappointing but ground, extended 6f and timing of the race led connections to just put a line through it.
Vantheman has always be a big, powerful horse and so gelding him through the winter felt like he correct call. It looked to have done him the world of good and he wintered well. Starting the year off 79 seems very fair and so Kevin just waited for the right race to come along. Newcastle provided a competitive race but the perfect underfoot conditions were ideal. Tom Eaves was in the saddle as the pair tackled 5f for the first time.
Despite trying the minimum trip for the first time, Vantheman jumped well and forced the early pace. The 6 runners were taken along at a brisk pace and very little would separate them through the first half of the race. Although he travelled well, it would be interesting to see how Vantheman could race over this trip once they got to the business end.
They charged down to halfway and Vantheman took the lead. He was tanking underneath Tom and pulled his way to the front, showing plenty of speed. Now his fitness would be tested as he would need to try and quicken off this strong pace. Moving to the fore, his rivals lined up to challenge.
Vantheman was hard pressed in front with his rivals eyeballing him from the 2f pole. As they race into the final furlong, this is where the 3yo dug deep. It looked as though he found a second wind and now he began to assert. Painting the lead, Vantheman gradually wore the rest down. With 11o yards to run he broke his rivals, quickening clear and putting distance to the rest. Galloping through the line, Vantheman made a winning return by a comfortable 2 lengths.
There was a feeling that whatever Vantheman did as a juvenile, he would improve with time and racing. He showed electric speed but even more impressively he was able to quicken off that pace and put the race to bed. Vantheman looks like he could continue to improve as he would have needed this run but still won with ease. There is a race at the Dante festival which could be next but Royal Ascot may also offer Vantheman a great opportunity.