By Sean Cronin
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. Wednesday's Observations features a son of Dubawi (Ire) and the G2 Rockfel S. heroine Lucida (Ire) (Shamardal).
14.45 Great Yarmouth, Mdn, £14,000, 2yo, 7f 3yT
John and Thady Gosden trainee OBELIX (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who will sport KHK Racing's G1 St Leger-winning colours, bumped into a good one when second on debut at Newmarket last month and faces a field of potential in a contest won in 2017 by subsequent G1 Coral-Eclipse third Regal Reality (GB) (Intello {Ger}) and in 2018 by subsequent G1 Criterium International hero Royal Meeting (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). The €300,000 Arqana Breeze-Up acquisition is out of a half-sister to six stakes performers, most notably the Group 1-winning trio Awelmarduk (Ire) (Almutawakel {GB}), Jakkalberry (Ire) (Storming Home {GB}) and Crackerjack King (Ire) (Shamardal). Rivals include Ballylinch Stud's homebred debutant Lord Of Biscay (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), a half-brother to dual G2 Huxley S. victor Forest Ranger (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}), hailing from the St Leger-winning stable of Roger Varian. Sir Michael Stoute sends two up the A11, namely Nader King (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), who is a 340,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 full-brother to G3 Concorde S. winner Current Option (Ire), with Ryan Moore donning the G1 Derby-winning silks of Saeed Suhail; and Qatar Racing's fellow newcomer Survival (GB) (Roaring Lion), who is out of a multiple-winning half-sister to G1 Irish Derby and GI Secretariat S. hero Treasure Beach (GB) (Galileo {Ire}).
15.00 Sandown, Nov, £13,000, 2yo, 7fT
Godolphin's homebred STRIKING STAR (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is the second foal out of G2 Rockfel S. victrix Lucida (Ire) (Shamardal), who hit the board four times at the highest level, and makes his debut for Charlie Appleby in a heat won in 2019 by subsequent five-time Group 1 hero Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}). He is met by 11, including Juddmonte's fellow newcomer Leadenhall (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who is a Ralph Beckett-trained son of G1 Pretty Polly S. heroine and G1 Prix de l'Opera second Promising Lead (GB) (Danehill).
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