South Easter

South Easter got loose before the Dubai International Airport Maiden at Newbury on Saturday, but he didn’t take that much out of himself while lobbing around before the start without a jockey, and he came home with purpose to chase home the useful-looking Border Patrol in what is traditionally a really good maiden. William Haggas’s colt kept going all the way to the line, and the front pair pulled well clear of the rest of the field.

There is plenty of stamina on South Easter’s dam’s side – he is from the family of Golden Fleece and his dam was a 10-furlong mare – and he is by Galileo, so it is probable that this mile trip would have been as short as he would have wanted. He should improve as he gains in experience and as he steps up in trip, and he should be worth following.

18th April 2009