Horses To Follow » Clef

Clef

Clef put up a really nice performance to win the fillies’ nursery that opened proceedings at Newmarket on Saturday.

Settled in second place behind early leader High On Love, she travelled well to the two-furlong pole, and she picked up nicely when Joe Fanning asked her to. She hit the front at the furlong pole and she came nicely clear of the early leader, who in turn came clear of the remainder. It was a nice performance by the winner.

This was Clef’s first attempt at seven furlongs, and she improved for it, which was not wholly surprising. Richard Fahey’s filly raced over six furlongs at Newmarket in July as if she would improve for a step up in trip, and she is bred for it, out of a mare who won over a mile and 10 furlongs and a sister to middle-distance performers. She should improve again now as she gains in experience, and she could be even better stepped up to a mile.

She was racing off a relatively lowly rating of 73 here, but she has plenty of potential for progression, this was just her fifth run ever, and she has now won three times. The handicapper raised her to a mark of 82, but she should be able to step up in class now. This was just her fifth run, and she has bags of scope for progression.

13th August 2016