Synchronicity upholds family honour with smooth Newbury debut Ed Walker admitted to feeling some nerves before Synchronicity – a full-sister to top-class middle-distance performer Ombudsman – made a very pleasing winning debut in the Bridget ‘Confined’ Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at Newbury. Unraced at two, just like her brother, the 900,000 guinea purchase was sent off the 6-4 favourite in the hands of Kieran Shoemark for this seven-furlong affair. A diminutive daughter of Night Of Thunder, she raced professionally throughout and moved into contention stylishly before being asked a question. Just like her sibling she possesses a smart turn of foot and soon put the race to bed, beating the well-backed Song Of Clouds – who was done no favours at all coming out of the stalls – by two lengths. Walker said: “She’s a nice filly who was obviously very expensive with the pedigree to go with it. “She’s been doing all the right things at home and is still a frame of a filly who is only going to improve. “There was a degree of expectation and I was pretty nervous when having my first runner for the King and Queen at Haydock last year, but other than that, she would probably be the highest-profile debutant we’ve had. “She’s probably the debutant with the biggest price tag I’ve had, so I was feeling the pressure a little bit. “They say pressure is a privilege, and it’s welcome pressure. If you aren’t feeling any pressure then you probably haven’t got any good horses. “She’s a really exciting filly and obviously Ombudsman is an unbelievable horse, but so far she is following in his footsteps.” Synchronicity was handed a quote of 25-1 for the French 1000 Guineas by Paddy Power post-race, but Walker is keen to move through the levels gradually, pencilling a trip to York during the Dante meeting for a Listed contest often used as a stepping stone to bigger events. Walker added: “I don’t even want to think about where we go and the plan coming to this season was here and then the Michael Seely at York. Whether that comes a bit too soon for her, I’m not too sure, so we will see. “She’s quick and has lots of speed and fair play to the team at home who have done a lot of work helping switch her off and managing her talent. Today she was perfect and I hope she doesn’t wake up too much for a run, but I think a mile will be fine for now.” I’m The One was another to impress on debut, putting her name into the frame for the Oaks with an even-money success in the Dreweatts Maiden Fillies’ Stakes. Ridden by William Buick for John and Thady Gosden, the daughter of Sea The Stars always looked a cut above her rivals as she careered away to a commanding six-length victory. Thady Gosden said: “A trial for the Oaks would be the obvious next step and we’ll see how she comes out of this and there’s a couple of options. “Very possibly we could go to York (for the Musidora, May 13) and there is the mile-and-a-quarter race back here as well (Childwickbury Stud Fillies’ Trial Stakes, May 16). But we will need to discuss it with Mrs Rupert (of owners Cayton Park Stud) and make a decision from there.”
