Last season's "Post stable" hit a number of targets, with the star four-year-olds, Designs On Rome and Able Friend, leading the way as they rose to the very top, but ably-assisted by Pleasure Gains, Khaya, Berlinski, Super Lifeline and Luger.
All in all, eight of the 10 won races, with a final tally of 25 wins, four Group Ones and a Group Three. This term, Alan Aitken is looking for some potential top liners along with some who just look to have some upside from their current status.
ARPINATI (S274) Trainer John Moore. Rating 83. In the recent past, Moore has won Group races with the likes of Sunny Sing, Jacobee, Zaidan, Able Friend and Designs On Rome who had brief debut campaigns, had a summer spell then ascended to a high level in their four-year-old preparation. This former Italian shaped with plenty of upside in two outings in June and should find his way into races like the Classic Mile.
GUN PIT (S183) Trainer Caspar Fownes. Rating 81. In five months last season, he went from a very raw youngster to a three-time winner and built a platform to take himself into a triple figure rating this term. Gives every impression he will handle further than a mile, his limit to date, and that augurs well for the four-year-old classics.
ISHVARA (S015) Trainer Benno Yung Tin-pang. Rating 62. Hard not to like what he did in two runs at the end of last season, won impressively when stepped up to 1,400m last time and looks headed to Class Two. The first Coats Choice to win beyond 1,200m here, but he is out of a good quality New Zealand staying mare which may see him stretch his talents a little further.
KEY WITNESS (S212) Trainer Tony Cruz. Rating 86. It was a travesty he was not named Champion Griffin at the end of last season, but will have his rewards on the track as he takes himself into Class One this term. Already a three-time winner, he might still be unbeaten with better luck, and has big race potential as a four-year-old. Only tried at 1,200m so far but by a high quality miler in Show A Heart.
LUGER (P255) Trainer John Size. Rating 100. As a three-year-old, took himself from a 58 rating to triple figures in an intentionally light campaign and that would be job done with most horses but Luger is not most horses. This will be the season we see what he can really do. He will become a Group One campaigner and is an obvious nominal favourite for the Classic Mile.
PENIAPHOBIA (S143) Trainer Tony Cruz. Rating 103. It can be a thankless task putting up horses rated 100-plus to follow as, even if they are high class, they don't have far to go but Peniaphobia looked Group One material last season. Won two up the straight but much more impressive in his Happy Valley Class Three win, notable as the last time he went around a bend and was ridden more conservatively early, so the move to 1,200m and a turn should hold no fears.
REDWOOD BABY (P358) Trainer Danny Shum Chap-shing. Rating 71. Has looked a Derby horse since he started racing, and expect him to lift his rating the 20-odd points he will probably need to get into the big race. How he matures and responds to the longer trips will see whether he gets there as a runner or a chance but certainly going to pay his way in any case.
STAG KNIGHT (S207). Trainer John Moore. Rating 45. Nice style of horse but looked in need of some time and development last season at three, when good efforts after very tough trips at his first two may have impacted the rest of his preparation. With a summer on his back and returning a stronger animal now, he catches the eye as a horse with scope off this low rating.
STRATHMORE (S206). Trainer Tony Millard. Rating 63. Comes through the worst group of griffin races in memory, but appeared one of the few from that group capable of better. His two-year-old win was sound at his lone appearance and this rating should allow him to win a race or two before the handicapper gets in his way.
TEOFILO CALVA (N404). Trainer John Size. Rating 86. Looks on the fragile side as he was here for a year before debut and Size kept his runs well spaced. Nevertheless, made a big impression in three wins last season, especially a comfortable final victory when he carried weight in Class Three and ran strong times. Sprinter with ability to take his rating a fair bit higher.
