CAS,
Well Godolphin did run Pinatubo in the Woodcote not long ago, but generally you’re right. Back in the last century they ran 5F races for 2-y-olds at Epsom and they did get top class future winners, but for some reason there are no longer any 5F 2-y-old races run there.
I’ve been looking at a form book form 40 years ago, when it was a four day meeting. It was very different to say the least, with maiden races, claiming races on the Derby and Oaks cards and only one Group race each day. The Friday one was the Diomed Stakes, which actually was a good race. The winner, Pennine Walk, followed up in the Queen Anne, the third, Cliveden, won the Jersey Stakes and the seventh, English Spring, won the Prince Of Wales
There was also a good 6F 3yo handicap on the Oaks card, which was won by Orient from Touch Of Grey. They both won at Ascot, Orient in the feature 5F handicap on Heath day, Touch Of Grey in the Wokingham. But the five 2yo races were basically non events that year as far as producing a good horse.
Of course 1986 was Dancing Brave in the Derby, so maybe that’s all it needed to generate excitement in the build up and controversy post race! Would the ride from Starkey qualify him to be a non runner under the new rule – not given a fair chance from the start.