The More Nay
The spotlight shifts to Deauville, where the cream of the juvenile crop assembles for The More Nay, a prestigious Grade 1 contest over 6 furlongs. With three unbeaten colts lining up alongside a lone filly aiming to spoil the party, this shapes as one of the defining two-year-old races of the season and a chance for a future star to stamp their authority on the juvenile ranks.
Last year’s renewal produced an outstanding performance from Wheatley (Mehmas) for Canyongate, who proved too classy on a firm surface with a speed figure of 87. Steel Fortress (King of Steel) chased him home for Dingo and Redhill’s Lock To Win (Teofilo) rounded out the trifecta. It was a race that showcased quality youngsters, and this year’s edition appears every bit as deep, with several undefeated prospects bringing exciting credentials into their toughest assignment yet.
With reputation on the line, a yielding track and Grade 1 glory awaiting, the stage is set for one of these promising juveniles to emerge as a genuine leader of the two-year-old division.
1. KING SIZE PACKAGE (GB) 2M desptwos A.Hudson 3/1
Desperado saddles up King Size Package (Kingman) for The Mecca. Out of a dam who was Group placed over distances up to 10.5 furlongs, he has done nothing but impress in his brief career, remaining unbeaten in two starts.
He announced himself in style on debut, proving far too strong for a full field in a Mecca Stakes Juvenile over 6 furlongs. While the performance was eye-catching, his true test came next time out when he was sent out a well-supported favorite in the G3 Railaway against another deep field.
After settling just worse than midfield, King Size Package exploded into contention in the straight, producing a devastating turn of foot to sweep past his rivals before drawing away to score by three lengths. It was the manner of victory as much as the margin that caught the eye, suggesting he possesses genuine class and an abundance of upside.
Still lightly raced and open to significant improvement, King Size Package will start favorite and shapes as one of the most exciting runners in the field and could very well be the real deal.
2. FLAWLESS MAJOR (JPN) 2M tenpoint69 N.Labreche 5/1
Tenpoint brings the Japanese-bred Flawless Major (Daiwa Major) to represent Orphan Racing. Out of a mare that won four of her 26 starts in allowance company, he has made an encouraging start to his career. Debuted in a UAE allowance producing an impressive three-length victory that immediately stamped him as a colt with above-average ability.
His only subsequent outing came in a Nebraska stakes race, where he dropped back in distance and encountered a rain-affected track. Despite those less-than-ideal conditions, he finished strongly to claim second, beaten only by the winner after making up good ground late.
With just two starts under his belt, Flawless Major remains one of the least exposed runners in the field and appears to have plenty of upside. The rise in class and the depth of opposition present a significant challenge, but his performances to date suggest he has the talent to be competitive. Whether his inexperience proves costly against such a high-quality group of juveniles remains the key question.
3. JIMMY THE BRUSS (NZ) 2G superrugby K.Ledwith 6/1
Derbyking saddles up Jimmy The Bruss (Chaldean) for The Mecca, bringing one of the most exciting juvenile resumes into the race despite having only four career starts. He boasts an outstanding record of two wins and two runner-up finishes, with every performance suggesting he belongs in quality company.
He made his debut in a restricted New Zealand maiden where he settled just off the speed before producing a sharp turn of foot to score impressively at generous odds. That victory immediately earned him a crack at stakes company, and he justified the confidence by dropping back in distance to claim the Azerley Turf Juvenile, again racing prominently before proving too strong and earning an SP of 81.
His next two starts both came over six furlongs against stronger opposition. In South Africa’s G3 Salisbury Medallion, he raced on the pace throughout and fought gamely to the line, only just failing to overhaul the unbeaten Well Maybe Elope, who reopposes here. He then travelled to Newcastle for the G2 July Stakes, where he once again looked the likely winner entering the final furlong before being claimed late by a fast-finishing rival. Even in defeat he improved again, recording a career-best SP of 87.
Freshened by a four-week break, Jimmy The Bruss now tackles another rise in class. While this is his toughest assignment yet, his consistency, tactical speed, and proven ability to match it with elite juveniles make him a genuine contender. If he can find another small step forward, he has every chance of turning those recent near misses into a breakthrough victory at the highest level.
4. MEDDENFORD (GB) 2G alibi231 C.Roser 6/1
Oakridge sends out Meddenford (Sea The Moon) and a record of three career starts for two wins and a runner-up finish. His dam was a modest performer, winning twice from nine starts at maiden and allowance level, but Meddenford has already shown far greater potential.
He commenced his career in a sponsored stakes race over five furlongs and immediately announced himself with an eye-catching victory, storming over the top of a talented field of juveniles at double-figure odds. He then travelled to Germany for the Mecca Learns German Juvenile and produced a remarkably similar performance, settling just behind midfield before unleashing a powerful late burst to reel in the leaders and score with a career-best SP of 80.
Last time out, Meddenford stepped up to graded company in the G2 Coventry Stakes and proved he belonged at the level. Once again ridden patiently, he produced an outstanding finishing sprint, charging home to beat all bar the winner in an excellent runner-up performance. With only three starts under his belt, he remains one of the field’s most progressive runners and looks capable of taking another significant step forward.
5. YOUR OWN BACKYARD (GB) 2f corzacan M.Humbo 14/1
Your Own Backyard (Pinatubo) profiles as an honest, consistent filly who has been competitive from the outset, but she looks to be running into a deeper field than she has previously faced.
She has shown versatility by racing well in Japan, the UAE and the United States, while handling both turf and dirt. Her debut third in an open Japanese maiden was encouraging, and she backed that up with a strong runner-up effort against colts in a UAE allowance over 6.5 furlongs. Her lone dirt attempt came in the G3 Unusual Circumstances Juvenile, where she travelled well before weakening late. Returning to turf and dropping to five furlongs produced another solid second in the California French Turf Juvenile Fillies, reinforcing that grass is likely her preferred setup.
The obvious knock is that she remains a maiden after four starts. While there is certainly no disgrace in placing behind quality opposition, she has repeatedly found one or two too good, and this assignment appears even tougher against a talented group of juveniles.
A win in easier company is probably just around the corner, but this looks a stiff test in this grade. Place chance best.
6. COAGULATE ARREST (IRE) 2G corzak2 J.Ledwith 10/1
Coagulate Arrest (Arrest), prepared by Corza for EWC, is the most experienced runner in the field with five starts under his belt. Out of a mare who managed just two wins from 26 career starts, he has been campaigned across a variety of distances and both turf and dirt, gradually improving with racing.
He made an encouraging debut over 5½ furlongs, travelling like the winner before being caught late to finish second. A switch to dirt next time saw him show good early speed, but he weakened in the closing stages to finish just outside the placings. Returning to turf in Germany, he produced another solid effort when placing over 6 furlongs.
His last two starts have been dominant. He broke through in emphatic style on dirt over 6½ furlongs, leading throughout to score by 6½ lengths in a restricted maiden claimer at his home track. He then switched back to turf, stepped up to 7½ furlongs, and repeated the performance with another all-the-way victory, this time by 6¼ lengths in a high-stakes claimer.
While his recent wins have been visually impressive, both came in significantly easier company. This represents a substantial jump in class, and he’ll need to improve considerably to measure up against this field. His versatility across surfaces and natural early speed are positives, but on exposed form he appears to have been placed ideally in his last two outings. This looks a much sterner assignment, and he is easier to overlook against stronger opposition.
7. PURE GUANO (AUS) 2M unreal R.Stevenson 5/1
Unreal saddles up the scratch-bred Pure Guano (Zoustar) for Northwest RC. One of the least exposed runners in the field with just the two starts and one of three unbeaten colts in the field, he has looked the part in both career starts. He made an immediate impression on debut, settling well back before unleashing a devastating late burst to break his maiden over 5½ furlongs, pulling away with authority. Backing up just three weeks later in allowance company, he was even more dominant, exploding clear in the straight to score by 3¾ lengths over 6 furlongs while posting an impressive SP of 88.
Still untapped with only two starts under his belt, Pure Guano has displayed a powerful turn of foot and the versatility to settle before finishing strongly. The rise in class is his biggest test to date, but his performances suggest he has the talent to measure up. He shapes as a genuine winning chance and is one of the more exciting prospects in the field.
8. HOOKING THE TRICKS (NZ) 2M corza6 G.D.Mate 13/1
Corza saddles up Hooking The Tricks (Savabeel) for EWC. His dam was a four-time winner from 38 starts, all at allowance level. He debuted in an Irish allowance on a sloppy track and performed creditably, finishing just outside the placings. Returned to similar company next start, again on an off surface, and broke his maiden impressively over 5.5 furlongs, recording an SP of 72.
Stepped up to stakes company in Italy for the Smooth with Cuvee Turf Juvenile Stakes and produced another encouraging effort, making good late ground to finish in the minor placings. Faces another rise in class here and, while he appears to have some upside, this looks a tough assignment. Prefer to see him prove himself at this level before supporting him.
9. WELL MAYBE ELOPE (IRE) 2M adrian P.Harzheim 9/2
Adrian saddles up the unbeaten Well Maybe Elope (Lope De Vega) for Orphan Racing. Perfect through three starts, he has done everything asked of him and shapes as one of the more exciting prospects in the field.
He debuted in a 5-furlong allowance on a sloppy track, taking control from the outset and stretching his margin with every stride in a dominant front-running display. He returned over 6 furlongs and produced an almost identical performance, dictating throughout on another sloppy surface before drawing clear to remain unbeaten.
Thrown straight into graded company for the G3 Salisbury Medallion, Well Maybe Elope faced a much sterner test. Pressured early, he showed greater tactical versatility by allowing another runner to lead before settling just off the pace. Asked for his effort in the straight, he responded gamely and dug deep to repel the fast-finishing Jimmy The Bruss by a neck, earning a career-best SP of 86.
All three victories have come on rain-affected ground, he again gets a yielding track and it is difficult to fault his resume. He has displayed blistering early speed, the ability to adapt tactically when challenged, and the determination to fend off quality opposition late. The unbeaten record demands respect, although this assignment represents another step up in class. Looks more than capable of extending his flawless record and is my top selection.
Veeman’s Selections
(1ST) 9- Well Maybe Elope
(2ND) 3- Jimmy The Bruss
(3RD) 1- King Size Package
(4TH) 7- Pure Guano
Probable Speed Map
Front – 3, 6, 9
Mid – 1, 2, 5
Back – 4, 7, 8
good luck all