Observations On Saturday's European Racing Scene

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Insights features maidens from Newmarket, The Curragh and Salisbury

1.45 Newmarket, Mdn, £10,000, 2yo, f, 7fT

Godolphin's POETIC CHARM (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is a half-sister to 2006 G1 National S. and G1 Dewhurst S.-winning sire Teofilo (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and is the latest off the Charlie Appleby juvenile conveyor belt. The homebred bay faces a baker's dozen in this unveiling.

3.10 Curragh, Mdn, €20,000, 2yo, 7fT

MENDELSSOHN (Scat Daddy) is the day's most significant newcomer as the $3million KEESEP half-brother to the incredible Beholder (Henny Hughes) and the GI Hollywood Futurity-winning sire Into Mischief. The most expensive thoroughbred sold at public auction last year, the May-foaled bay was also the highest-priced yearling at the September Sale since 2010 and breeder Fred Mitchell said at the time, “He is an unbelievable individual with a great disposition and mind that you dream to have. He had a special look in his eye from the time he was two months old.” Despite that, he is not the Ballydoyle first-string in the maiden won in recent times by Australia (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), Pathfork (Distorted Humor) and New Approach (Ire). That appears to be the twice-unplaced Bond Street (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a son of the MGSP and G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches fourth After (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}).

6.50 Salisbury, Mdn, £6,000, 3yo/up, 6f 213yT

RISTRETTO (Medaglia d'Oro">Medaglia d'Oro) is a daughter of Visit (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), who hit the board four times at the highest level, and opens up in the Khalid Abdullah silks here. Opposition to the Ralph Beckett trainee includes Normandie Stud's Romina (GB) (Raven's Pass), who is a Richard Hughes-trained daughter of 2002 G1 Coronation S. third Dolores (GB) (Danehill) and is thus a homebred half-sister to four black-type performers headed by 2011 G1 Irish St Leger dead-heater Duncan (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}).