Most trainers would be grateful to have one Classic contender in their yard, so to be in charge of several potentially high-class prospects puts Andrew Balding in an exciting position.
Most trainers would be grateful to have one Classic contender in their yard, so to be in charge of several potentially high-class prospects puts Andrew Balding in an exciting position.
Among the Kingsclere handler's 107 winners last season were a number of stand-out performances from his two-year-old crop which resulted in Group-race glory, giving him added enthusiasm those achievements could be eclipsed this season.
He said: "I was pretty happy with how last season went. It is always nice to get over 100 winners and the prize-money, which is obviously important, was good. We are always trying to beat what we did the season before, so we could do better.
"In particular we had a nice bunch of two-year-olds last year which was encouraging and now they have turned three we hold high hopes they can all continue to go forward this season."
Balding on five horses to follow:
"He is just a handicapper, but he is a half-brother to Elm Park. He did improve with his racing last year and he did start to get the hang of things. He did a lot the wrong way early in his career in terms of running. We have got the hang of him and he has got the hang of running.
"If he switches off properly he is off a handy mark and he could be a contender in those better mile-and-a-quarter plus handicaps.
"As he is the half-brother to a Group One winner there is every chance he could be better than a handicapper."
"She won her maiden very impressively at Newcastle and is a filly I've always liked a lot.
"She has got a lovely pedigree and she should step up to a mile and a half with no problems. Hopefully she will start off in the Pretty Polly at Newmarket.
"Certainly she could not have been more impressive than she was when winning her maiden. Obviously she handles soft ground, but I don't think good ground will be a problem."
POET'S VANITY
"She is already a Group Three winner. She was very impressive winning her maiden and she did well in the Oh So Sharp.
"She has strengthened up and hopefully we have a 1000 Guineas contender. Her home work is excellent and she is working nicely at the moment.
"Hopefully she will go to the Nell Gwyn. I think at this moment in time I would rather get a run under her belt than a racecourse gallop.
"She was quite big and raw early last season. When she started her fast work she really picked up and found another level.
"I would be very surprised if she stayed further than a mile."
"He is a horse I am looking forward to running. He had an excellent level of form last year. He is a big horse and is entitled to improve as he gets stronger.
"All being well, he will start off in the new conditions race at Newcastle on Good Friday. I think we will keep our options open with him, the main thing is starting him in that Newcastle race.
"There is every chance he will stay a mile and a quarter and he is in the French Derby, so that is an obvious target for him.
"He has always shown a high level of form at home. His only disappointment was that he was rather flat in the Dewhurst for whatever reason, there is a possibility it could have been the track.
"Physically he was a little bit weak last year. Hopefully he will now find that necessary improvement."
"He is still a maiden but he looks like he will be a really nice type. He is by Casamento and only had three runs last year. He improved with every run and he will start off back in a maiden.
"His level of work at home is very solid and he has done well physically. He has filled out very well and he looks like he will improve. He could possibly be a Britannia horse further down the line."
