Her father, St Mark's Basilica, was one of the best horses in Europe during his racing career, winning top-level races in France and Ireland, and he has already proven himself as a sire worth watching. Her mother's side carries the influence of Mastercraftsman, another high-class performer whose offspring tend to be quick, smart horses that often need a run or two to find their feet. On paper, this is a genuinely well-bred young horse with the bloodlines to develop into something useful.
The trainer, J A Stack, operates out of Golden in County Tipperary and has already sent out 15 winners this season — a healthy total that suggests a yard in form and a team that knows how to have a horse ready to run. First-time runners from yards in good shape are always worth a second look, simply because a confident operation is more likely to give a debutant the right preparation. Whether Honey Deuce is ready to win first time out or simply here to learn, she arrives in capable hands.