A GODOLPHIN-owned, Charlie Appleby-trained, and William Buick-ridden winner of a seven-furlong two-year-old maiden at Newmarket. Business as usual? Correct, writes Page Fuller.

But, the Hugo Palmer debutant that nearly ran him down in the shadows of the line? That’s the horse we should be keeping an eye out for. We’re Goosers was very game in defeat, only failing by a neck in the end, but the data highlights how he was a little unlucky in defeat.

William Buick got the run of the race in front on Castle Rock, with our Par Sectionals categorising that they went ‘very slow’ through the first three furlongs, quickening up to finish ‘very fast’ through the final three furlongs. For context, he went nearly two seconds faster through the penultimate furlong compared to the second.

We’re Goosers, however, broke very slowly, taking 3.18 seconds to reach 20mph, and straight away found himself at the rear of the five runners. Where he really showed his inexperience was when Castle Rock quickened up three furlongs from home. You could see him struggle momentarily to get into gear, but once he got going he was motoring.

In the penultimate furlongs, We’re Goosers clocked the fastest Top Speed of the race, 41.96 mph, which was 0.45 mph faster than Castle Rock. He was also 0.22 seconds faster than him through the final two furlongs, but it was unfortunately too little too late. In fact, his final two-furlong time of 22.21 seconds was the fastest on the day.

He looks like a lovely, big type of horse that will come on massively for the run and, in a more conventionally-run race, he could be quite an exciting prospect for connections.