Timeform Notebook: Galileo to Rock rivals

Our Notebook horse was in action at Sandown

A three-year-old in action at Sandown on Friday caught our eye and gained inclusion into the Timeform Notebook...

Sandown staged an informative two-day meeting last week and there were plenty of eye-catching performances. One horse that particularly stood out, in terms of long-term potential, was the David Wachman-trained Galileo Rock. Making his seasonal reappearance, Galileo Rock contested the Group 3 Classic Trial at Sandown, displaying useful form to finish a close-up third behind Irish compatriots Sugar Boy and Eye of The Storm, and he looks like the type of horse that will come into his own when his stamina is fully drawn out.

Galileo Rock made only the two starts as a juvenile - both races taking place over a mile - and it wasn't a surprise to see the stoutly-bred son of Galileo appreciate the extra two furlongs and the stiff uphill finish he was presented with in the Classic Trial, devouring the ground late on to finish on the heels of the leaders and pull well clear of the rest of the field. This year's Classic Trial looked like an intriguing race beforehand as it pitted plenty of unexposed, exciting youngsters from either side of the Irish Sea against each other, and there is no reason to question the substance of the form, particularly with the likeable and reliable standard-bearer Sugar Boy narrowly prevailing.

If Galileo Rock is to contest a Classic, the St Leger would appear to be more of a realistic target than the Derby - where he would probably lack the speed of some of the main protagonists - but an ideal race in the interim, should connections go down this route, would appear to be the Queen's Vase, the two-mile event at Royal Ascot that is restricted to three-year-olds. Galileo Rock would certainty have more inherent ability than many of the horses who usually contest that race and he promises to stay the trip.

2013 Flat Notebook:

Jamaican Bolt - Of interest in five-furlong handicaps with cut in the ground.
Mombasa - Of interest in handicaps, particularly if stepped up to one and a half miles.
Loving Spirit - One to note in seven furlong or one-mile handicaps.
Border Legend - Remains unexposed and one to bear in mind for handicaps.
Galileo Rock - A strong stayer who can make an impact at Group level when the emphasis is on stamina.

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