It is not yet evident that any of the 2022 crop of either sex possess any special talent, but a dominant pair may emerge over the five Classics. In the absence of The Kingston’s second-place finisher Runaway Star, Sunday’s 2000 Guineas will have a favourite and likely winner in the form of Sensational Soul. No reason for the absence of Runaway Star is available yet.

Ideally bred for the trip and conditioned by Gary Subratie with enviable success in the Classics, Sensational Soul displayed finishing speed and stamina to wear down the useful Runaway Star. The manner of this victory in The Kingston suggests that the eight furlongs of the 2000 and distances of 10 and 12 furlongs of the St Leger and the Derby give Sensational Soul the edge.

To be ridden by former two-time champion Shane Ellis, a master tactician, who occupies a unique space as a second-generation Classic-winning champion reinsman in mould of his father, Sensational Soul will be looking to put owner Chevran Maharaj also in a unique space with memories of the 2019 Triple Crown success of his champion Supreme Soul that was conditioned by Subratie.

Strong Mind, from the camp of Patrick Lynch, was three lengths adrift of Sensational Soul in third over distance of The Kingston and the choice of Phillip Parchment to handle reins means his multi-Classic-winning experience should matter. In fact, so too will I Dream Again form the Jason DaCosta barn with Robert Halledeen securing the engagement. Mark MyIdentity, Another One, and Prince Roy will attract confident backers, but it is Sensational Soul’s to lose.

In 1975, from prior traditional conditions of entry restricting the nine-furlong Jamaica Guineas Classic to colts, geldings and fillies, there was a change to establish the eight-furlong 2000 Guineas, and a separate event, the 1000 Guineas only for the opposite sex, over the same distance. By the way, given their assumed inferiority, I have always posited that filliesshould be also eligible for the 2000 as is the case in the United Kingdom.

Back then it was easy for revolutionary changes to be proposed and adopted with a horse population exceeding 1,200. However, over the last 33 years since the operation of the claiming system nothing has been done to improve the product as inferior horses continue to concede weight superior ones rendering over 90 per cent of the races underperforming as sales units.

The 1975 eight-furlong inaugural run went to out and out sprinter Xtra Classy (6-1) from in front ridden by the then young but accomplished Fitzroy Glispie for the outstanding Arthur Sharpe, who saddled 1976 winner Timber King as well, and was champion trainer two years later and repeated the feat in 1979.

Looking at the subsequent performances of the 50 winners, most were almost immediately handicap rated highly enough to win in the top class with many going on to make the all-time greatest three-year-olds listing.

These are the 2000 Guineas winners that went on to perform well at the highest level.

Harlequin (1977), Eclipse (1980), Royal Dad (1981), Monday Morning( 1987,Triple Crown), Lui Chie Poo (1988, Triple Crown), The Viceroy (1989, Triple Crown), Khadullah (1990), Tai Fu Chieh (1993), Milligram (1992, Triple Crown),
War Zone (1996, Triple Crown), I Am Satisfied (2000, Triple Crown), and Mark My Word (2010, Triple Crown).

Incidentally Supreme Soul (2019 Triple Crown) had problems and did not train on to become a successful top-class campaigner. Interestingly, Ska, a two-time Horse-of-the-Year 1964 and 1965, fillies Hotline, Saint Cecelia, Simply Magic, Alsafra and She’s A Maneater would complete this list three-year-old of generational great fillies over the 65 years of Caymans racing.