Five Godolphin Two-Year-Olds To Note

Godolphin trainer John O'Shea reports his current bunch of two-year-olds to be very different to last year's crop.

"Twelve months ago, we had many fast-running young horses, but this time around, we have not had as many ready to go before Christmas. This is because we have a lot, who are going to be better over 1,200m to 1,400m, many of them by Lonhro and Street Cry," he pointed out.

In this article, O'Shea has pin-pointed five youngsters, who he believes will make an impact. The trainer's comments accompany each entry.

ASTERN (b c 2yrs, Medaglia d'Oro -- Essaouira)
He has come through his first start on December 5 very well. He won that very easily. We have since given him an easy couple of weeks, and now we will start his build-up to the G1 Golden Slipper, taking in the G2 Silver Slipper and the G2 Todman along the way. He is straightforward to handle and to train.

CALLIOPE (b f 2yrs, Exceed and Excel -- Melpomene)
She made a favourable impression when winning the Listed Gimcrack Stakes at Randwick on October 3. She hasn't run since because there hasn't been much for her. The G3 Blue Diamond Prelude, over 1,100m at Caulfield on February 13 is her next scheduled start, with the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes two weeks later hopefully her next target after that. If all goes well, the G1 Golden Slipper is also a possibility.

PRECAUTIONS (br f 2yrs, Lonhro -- Regal Cheer)
She is a lovely filly, who I believe has a lot of ability. She won a trial by 6 lengths at Werribee recently and I like the way she is progressing. She is another, who will start her campaign in Melbourne, with a view to target the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes on February 27.

SOUCHEZ (b c 2yrs, Lonhro -- Vimy)
A lovely colt, who trialled nicely when second of six runners at Randwick on November 30. He is out of a Redoute's Choice mare, and he goes very well. He is scheduled to have his first start in Saturday's opening race at Rosehill, The Schweppes Plate, over 1,100m.

TELPERION (b c 2yrs, Street Cry -- Yavanna)
He won his barrier trial at Rosehill in October, and then finished 3rd on debut there a couple of weeks later. He is a big, strong Street Cry colt that I really like. He's got plenty of quality about him. He's the type, who could progress to races such as the G2 Sires' Produce and the G1 Champagne Stakes. But a crack at the G1 Golden Slipper could be on the cards if he develops as I think he might.