Three-year-old handicappers to follow: Part 6

The penultimate post in the handicappers to follow for 2018 series. Hopefully the final one will be available before the start of the flat season at Doncaster on Saturday.

Sheikha Reika	A 550,000 GNS full sister to Lumiere. Her first start was in an Ascot novice race, where she took a while to pick up but finished her race off really nicely. She looked to have her second race in the bag a furlong out at Newmarket but got turned over at odds-on in the last few strides (First two pulled four lengths clear). The third horse, Hadith, has won twice since and is now rated 97. Hadith did beat Sheikha Reika and reverse the form at Nottingham next time but this was on soft ground getting first run on Sheikha Reika. Given Sheikha Reika’s high level of two-year-old form and her pedigree, she has the ability to make a three-figure three-year-old. It is slightly concerning that she has finished second three times, but I would be tempted to persist with her for the next couple of starts.	83
Silver Crescent	Didn’t show much on first two starts in strong maidens and Goodwood and Newmarket. He was badly outpaced both starts and didn’t show a lot. He was subsequently gelded and showed some improvement on his third start on the AW, again outpaced but picked up nicely in the final furlong. He is by Champs Elysees, whose progeny progress well from two to three. Silver Crescent’s full brother was bought in July 2017 by Rich Ricci to run over hurdles. He’s also a half-brother to Ice blue who finished seventh in a French Derby.  He showed much more after a gelding operation and his breeding suggests he should make a much better three-year-old when stepped up in trip, though the handicapper has been quite harsh on achievements to date.	70
Spark of War	Very green on debut on heavy ground, first three in the race pulled clear and Spark of War was given an easy ride back in fourth.  He improved slightly on second start but again was very green. Spark of War was surprisingly dropped in trip on final start and ridden differently but was not quick enough to do himself justice. Those three runs were within a month so he has quickly got a handicap mark. He is by Declaration of War, who improved from two to three and his dam won a listed and G3 race over 12f as a three-year-old, so there is some hope for improvement this year.  A 65,000 purchase from a good family so connections will expect him to build on his opening mark.	69
Stephensons Rocket	Green out of the stalls and a little keen on debut. Looked to have the race won but ran green in front and outpaced before being beaten by a more experienced rival at Sandown. He didn’t have to improve to go one better at Redcar next time, though he was quite keen again. He showed a good attitude at Redcar, pulling further away from the field the further he went. The form of that win could be questionable but Stephensons Rocket is a big scopey colt who should be competitive in top mile and half handicaps this season or even group races if he learns to settle. He hasn’t been given a mark yet but a best guess would be mid 80s.	N/A
Stream Song	A half-sister to top class filly, Journey. Stream Song was quite green on her first two starts. The first time at Ascot where she was produced with a run but faded and was given a hands and heels ride.  She was then unsuited by a steadily run race on her second start at Doncaster. She looked to get the hang of things on her third start, staying on very strongly and winning a shade cosy, putting up an RPR of 84. The third horse in that race has won in listed company since. Given her half-sister was a late developer, there is almost certainly more to come upped in trip as a three-year-old, off a mark, which she should build on with few problems.	83
Thunderbolt Rocks	By Farhh, cost 57,000gns as a yearling. This colt’s grand dam produced the disqualified winner of a 1000 guineas, Jacqueline Quest. Thunderbolt Rocks was very green on debut at Newbury, looking outpaced early on and finishing well down the field. On his second start at Wolverhampton he again looked green, having missed the break and being shuffled back early on. He got the hang of things in the home straight, sweeping round the field and stay on strongly to win. It was hard not to be impressed by the manner in which he picked up and won. The form might not be up to much but the fifth in that race won off 81. This horse will certainly develop as a three-year-old and if given a mark in the low 80s, should win races.	N/A