The extent of griffin racing these days has dropped away to a mere trickle of what it once was, but late-season juvenile events in particular have a history of throwing forward a serious future prospect and John Size was looking down that path with Luger.
Three years ago, Size won the only 1,400m griffin event of the season with Fay Fay, who went on to win a Derby, and the champion trainer who is usually more realist than optimist was giving off a rare, passionate vibe for the Choisir two-year-old after he won the race. "I'm rapt with him," Size said. "He's very foaly physically and has a lot of physical development ahead of him. But he gets around like he's a good horse, and I have no reason to doubt that."
Luger caught every eye with his slashing run from last to finish second on debut up the straight 1,000m last week and Size said the quick return and step up in trip never worried the gelding one bit.
"It worried his trainer a bit, but it didn't worry Luger," Size said. "It wasn't ideal but the programming didn't leave any options. When he trialled, it looked like this was his distance but he was only just ready to run 1,000m. Backing up so quickly wasn't the perfect scenario but as I say, it didn't worry him."
A full brother to tearaway speedster Psychologist, Luger (Douglas Whyte) has never given any hint that he might follow in his older sister's footsteps.
"John was quite surprised when I trialled Luger and told him that 1,000m was going to be too short because he said he's bred to have that speed," Whyte said. "He's only given me the feel that he wants a mile-plus."
While drawing towards the outside of the field might have looked problematical, Whyte said it was a blessing in disguise.
"You draw gate one to three and suddenly you find yourself hunting to hold a place and not getting balanced, but he's too big and too nice-actioned to want that," Whyte said.
"Instead, I was able to ride him patiently, let him find his feet and he let down strongly for a young, immature horse. He's still new and weak but he'll be a lovely individual when he furnishes with maturity."
