News from the North(ern) Hemisphere

[Neil Miller 0]

Stodgy, Some of us down here are interested in BELARDO for obvious reasons. I see he has a filly streeted a Grp 3 field. looks like the boys are not coming up as quick. Your thoughts?

[stodge 1,949]

Looking back at a rather quiet weekend up here.

It's been phenomenally wet up here and the Bank Holiday has been the coldest for 50 years.

Goodwood raced on ground described as Soft, Heavy in places on Saturday and the Group 2 Celebration Mile went to CENTURY DREAM who relishes wet turf and came away well in the final 200m. Ryan Moore sent REGAL REALITY to the front but while he ran okay at Ascot on Soft in June this was proper slow, heavy turf and he just couldn't handle it coming home a well beaten third with SIR BUSKER following up a fine run in a Group 3 last time with a decent effort in the higher grade.

CENTURY POWER heads for the Queen Elizabeth II at Ascot on Champions Day in mid October and connections will be hoping for an autumn bog.

In America, they had rain at Saratoga and the flat track went Soft which completely went against PEDRO CARA in the Sword Dancer. The winner was CHANNEL MAKER who made every yard but Soft ground is such a rarity at American turf tracks he'd be very unlikely to get it in the Breeders Cup Turf but we know he handles it.

Sunday saw the final day of the Deauville August Festival and again it was Heavy ground after more rain. The British raiders had another excellent afternoon with TELECASTER running away with the Group 2 Grand Prix de Deauville by six and a half lengths. He's obviously very effective on heavy turf and let's not forget he got to within a length and a half of LORD NORTH at Haydock earlier in the season. SOFT LIGHT and ZIYAD were the best of the locals taking the minor places.

Looking ahead to the coming weekend, it's a big one - at Haydock we have the Group 1 Sprint Trophy while at Kempton ENABLE makes her final appearance in the UK in the September Stakes. In America it's the delayed Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday evening and finally it's the Moulin at Longchamp on Sunday. More on all of these through the week.

[Red Rum 1,833]

27 minutes ago, stodge said:

Looking back at a rather quiet weekend up here.

It's been phenomenally wet up here and the Bank Holiday has been the coldest for 50 years.

Goodwood raced on ground described as Soft, Heavy in places on Saturday and the Group 2 Celebration Mile went to CENTURY DREAM who relishes wet turf and came away well in the final 200m. Ryan Moore sent REGAL REALITY to the front but while he ran okay at Ascot on Soft in June this was proper slow, heavy turf and he just couldn't handle it coming home a well beaten third with SIR BUSKER following up a fine run in a Group 3 last time with a decent effort in the higher grade.

CENTURY POWER heads for the Queen Elizabeth II at Ascot on Champions Day in mid October and connections will be hoping for an autumn bog.

In America, they had rain at Saratoga and the flat track went Soft which completely went against PEDRO CARA in the Sword Dancer. The winner was CHANNEL MAKER who made every yard but Soft ground is such a rarity at American turf tracks he'd be very unlikely to get it in the Breeders Cup Turf but we know he handles it.

Sunday saw the final day of the Deauville August Festival and again it was Heavy ground after more rain. The British raiders had another excellent afternoon with TELECASTER running away with the Group 2 Grand Prix de Deauville by six and a half lengths. He's obviously very effective on heavy turf and let's not forget he got to within a length and a half of LORD NORTH at Haydock earlier in the season. SOFT LIGHT and ZIYAD were the best of the locals taking the minor places.

Looking ahead to the coming weekend, it's a big one - at Haydock we have the Group 1 Sprint Trophy while at Kempton ENABLE makes her final appearance in the UK in the September Stakes. In America it's the delayed Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday evening and finally it's the Moulin at Longchamp on Sunday. More on all of these through the week.

Enable back on the poly Stodge , 2 from 2 on tapeta and poly . Three of Concentric''s foals have run  on AW , all have won ,  10 runs for 6 wins in total . 

Telecaster yet another good horse from Meon Valley Stud .

[Red Rum 1,833]

56 minutes ago, stodge said:

Looking back at a rather quiet weekend up here.

It's been phenomenally wet up here and the Bank Holiday has been the coldest for 50 years.

Goodwood raced on ground described as Soft, Heavy in places on Saturday and the Group 2 Celebration Mile went to CENTURY DREAM who relishes wet turf and came away well in the final 200m. Ryan Moore sent REGAL REALITY to the front but while he ran okay at Ascot on Soft in June this was proper slow, heavy turf and he just couldn't handle it coming home a well beaten third with SIR BUSKER following up a fine run in a Group 3 last time with a decent effort in the higher grade.

CENTURY POWER heads for the Queen Elizabeth II at Ascot on Champions Day in mid October and connections will be hoping for an autumn bog.

In America, they had rain at Saratoga and the flat track went Soft which completely went against PEDRO CARA in the Sword Dancer. The winner was CHANNEL MAKER who made every yard but Soft ground is such a rarity at American turf tracks he'd be very unlikely to get it in the Breeders Cup Turf but we know he handles it.

Sunday saw the final day of the Deauville August Festival and again it was Heavy ground after more rain. The British raiders had another excellent afternoon with TELECASTER running away with the Group 2 Grand Prix de Deauville by six and a half lengths. He's obviously very effective on heavy turf and let's not forget he got to within a length and a half of LORD NORTH at Haydock earlier in the season. SOFT LIGHT and ZIYAD were the best of the locals taking the minor places.

Looking ahead to the coming weekend, it's a big one - at Haydock we have the Group 1 Sprint Trophy while at Kempton ENABLE makes her final appearance in the UK in the September Stakes. In America it's the delayed Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday evening and finally it's the Moulin at Longchamp on Sunday. More on all of these through the week.

I see a couple entered in Sept Stakes heading to OZ , Tinandali under Maher / Eustace Stable in Cup and Almania the Lees stable .

[stodge 1,949]

16 hours ago, Red Rum said:

I see a couple entered in Sept Stakes heading to OZ , Tinandali under Maher / Eustace Stable in Cup and Almania the Lees stable .

TINANDALI was well held in the Winter Hill at Windsor on Saturday but the ground was very soft. ALMANIA's run behind FUJAIRA PRINCE at Ascot was decent but I'm not sure the run behind JEREMIAH next time was anything special.

Nine have been entered for the September Stakes but LOGICIAN won't run so ENABLE, who is already 1/4, will be even shorter. PRINCE OF ARRAN will doubtless be having is pre-Australia prep run but he's 15 lbs behind ENABLE on the numbers and I can't see him getting anywhere near her in all honesty.

15 have been entered for the Group 1 Haydock Sprint Trophy over 1200m. The ground has improved to Good to Soft and news already the July Cup winner OXTED won't run - he worked poorly at trainer Roger Teal's yard this morning. 

DREAM OF DREAMS was very impressive over 1400m in the Hungerford and is likely to be favourite. Last year's winner HELLO YOUMZAIN was fifth in the July Cup but is a top sprinter and must be in calculations. He was then second to SPACE BLUES in the Maurice de Gheest over 1300m with LOPE Y FERNANDEZ third and GOLDEN HORDE fifth. ART POWER is the third of the 3-y-o but he was very poor in the Nunthorpe last time.

[Red Rum 1,833]

5 hours ago, stodge said:

TINANDALI was well held in the Winter Hill at Windsor on Saturday but the ground was very soft. ALMANIA's run behind FUJAIRA PRINCE at Ascot was decent but I'm not sure the run behind JEREMIAH next time was anything special.

Nine have been entered for the September Stakes but LOGICIAN won't run so ENABLE, who is already 1/4, will be even shorter. PRINCE OF ARRAN will doubtless be having is pre-Australia prep run but he's 15 lbs behind ENABLE on the numbers and I can't see him getting anywhere near her in all honesty.

15 have been entered for the Group 1 Haydock Sprint Trophy over 1200m. The ground has improved to Good to Soft and news already the July Cup winner OXTED won't run - he worked poorly at trainer Roger Teal's yard this morning. 

DREAM OF DREAMS was very impressive over 1400m in the Hungerford and is likely to be favourite. Last year's winner HELLO YOUMZAIN was fifth in the July Cup but is a top sprinter and must be in calculations. He was then second to SPACE BLUES in the Maurice de Gheest over 1300m with LOPE Y FERNANDEZ third and GOLDEN HORDE fifth. ART POWER is the third of the 3-y-o but he was very poor in the Nunthorpe last time.

Without checking I am sure Danehill won that Haydock Sprint under the genius Pat Eddery , might have been when they went around the bend over the six there . Mid to late 80s it might have got the straight course as it was unusual  in UK a bend in a sprint bar Chester and maybe Carlisle . Even Kempton and Sandown have the split down the middle . I see on TV Sandown still seem to have that little open mini stand by post down the middle . 

[Red Rum 1,833]

6 hours ago, stodge said:

TINANDALI was well held in the Winter Hill at Windsor on Saturday but the ground was very soft. ALMANIA's run behind FUJAIRA PRINCE at Ascot was decent but I'm not sure the run behind JEREMIAH next time was anything special.

Nine have been entered for the September Stakes but LOGICIAN won't run so ENABLE, who is already 1/4, will be even shorter. PRINCE OF ARRAN will doubtless be having is pre-Australia prep run but he's 15 lbs behind ENABLE on the numbers and I can't see him getting anywhere near her in all honesty.

15 have been entered for the Group 1 Haydock Sprint Trophy over 1200m. The ground has improved to Good to Soft and news already the July Cup winner OXTED won't run - he worked poorly at trainer Roger Teal's yard this morning. 

DREAM OF DREAMS was very impressive over 1400m in the Hungerford and is likely to be favourite. Last year's winner HELLO YOUMZAIN was fifth in the July Cup but is a top sprinter and must be in calculations. He was then second to SPACE BLUES in the Maurice de Gheest over 1300m with LOPE Y FERNANDEZ third and GOLDEN HORDE fifth. ART POWER is the third of the 3-y-o but he was very poor in the Nunthorpe last time.

Had a check, 1985 Brent Thompson won the last one around the left hand bend on Orojoya for the sponsor of race Robert Sangster .Looking at it on you tube it's clear without checking it was an OZ or Kiwi jockey with the windmill action going on in final furlong .  Green Desert won the first down the straight in 1986 under the choir boy Swinburn .

[stodge 1,949]

21 hours ago, Red Rum said:

Without checking I am sure Danehill won that Haydock Sprint under the genius Pat Eddery , might have been when they went around the bend over the six there . Mid to late 80s it might have got the straight course as it was unusual  in UK a bend in a sprint bar Chester and maybe Carlisle . Even Kempton and Sandown have the split down the middle . I see on TV Sandown still seem to have that little open mini stand by post down the middle . 

The race used to be run right at the end of the season when it was known as the Vernons Sprint Cup and was won by BE FRIENDLY, owned by the tv commentator Peter O'Sullivan who had the rare privilege of calling home his own horse.

Some real champions have won the race - the year after Danehill you had Dayjur on his way to heartbreak in America. 3-y-o often win it despite its time in the season.

Lingfield has a straight 1000m on turf but not on the all-weather - indeed, I think only Southwell and Newcastle of the all-weather tracks have a straight 1000m (can't recall if Chelmsford does). Among other tracks....Warwick used to have a bend in its 1000m but they don't race on the flat there any more. Brighton has a kink rather than a bend as does Bath (I think Catterick might as well). 

You can access the middle of the track by crossing the course at Sandown - if you are in Members you can use the little stand right by the post but if you are Grandstand or Public, you have to watch from the rails about 200m down. It's a very hard finish to call from the main stands and back in the day the bookies used to send a man down there and he would tic-tac who he thought had won via the bookies on the inside of the course to those on the stand. The idiots who bet on the finish from the stand often got it wrong because the angle from the main stands is very deceptive.

[Red Rum 1,833]

14 hours ago, stodge said:

The race used to be run right at the end of the season when it was known as the Vernons Sprint Cup and was won by BE FRIENDLY, owned by the tv commentator Peter O'Sullivan who had the rare privilege of calling home his own horse.

Some real champions have won the race - the year after Danehill you had Dayjur on his way to heartbreak in America. 3-y-o often win it despite its time in the season.

Lingfield has a straight 1000m on turf but not on the all-weather - indeed, I think only Southwell and Newcastle of the all-weather tracks have a straight 1000m (can't recall if Chelmsford does). Among other tracks....Warwick used to have a bend in its 1000m but they don't race on the flat there any more. Brighton has a kink rather than a bend as does Bath (I think Catterick might as well). 

You can access the middle of the track by crossing the course at Sandown - if you are in Members you can use the little stand right by the post but if you are Grandstand or Public, you have to watch from the rails about 200m down. It's a very hard finish to call from the main stands and back in the day the bookies used to send a man down there and he would tic-tac who he thought had won via the bookies on the inside of the course to those on the stand. The idiots who bet on the finish from the stand often got it wrong because the angle from the main stands is very deceptive.

Blimey it's got all posh , I used to get onto that little stand with tatts ticket . First time I was on there was 1984 Whitbread Day , one of best days racing I've ever been . Are you a regular at Sandown ? , do they still do the big Hog Roast each meeting , my old man would always have one and moan at the cost , tight bugger . When Mtoto won Eclipse one year it was race 3 before he stopped moaning about price of entry . He's a jumps man and lived at Sandown in winter .

I see Ward has one in at Longchamp tonight Wink , he will let rip early no doubt and blaze a trail . Noon Star at Salisbury  , full sister to old Midterm ex Stoute. He's still rattling round in OZ and entered in Cup. 

[stodge 1,949]

9 hours ago, Red Rum said:

Blimey it's got all posh , I used to get onto that little stand with tatts ticket . First time I was on there was 1984 Whitbread Day , one of best days racing I've ever been . Are you a regular at Sandown ? , do they still do the big Hog Roast each meeting , my old man would always have one and moan at the cost , tight bugger . When Mtoto won Eclipse one year it was race 3 before he stopped moaning about price of entry . He's a jumps man and lived at Sandown in winter .

I see Ward has one in at Longchamp tonight Wink , he will let rip early no doubt and blaze a trail . Noon Star at Salisbury  , full sister to old Midterm ex Stoute. He's still rattling round in OZ and entered in Cup. 

The 1984 Whitbread is one of the great races of all time. Five in with a chance jumping the last and how Special Cargo came through to win I don't know. The Queen Mother couldn't present the trophy to herself so the course chairman had to step in.

I used to go to Sandown a lot - got the train up from Woking (where I work) but two things put me off - the summer evening cards now have music so the ticket price is stupid - £40 for an average 6-race card and a Tom Jones tribute band starring Tom Jones. Second, they closed off the access from the railway to the course during a couple of the wet winters so it was either queuing for a minibus or an epic walk round to get into the track. I don't think the Annual Members are treated that well either.

I think it's very expensive - Members was £27, Grandstand was £18 last year - for what it is which is pretty average except on the half a dozen big Saturdays in the year.

Best track viewing anywhere - absolutely superb but don't be fooled by that 5 furlong winning post !!

The Hog Roast is still on offer but I prefer the Salt Beef sandwiches.

[stodge 1,949]

The weekend beckons and there's a lot going on up here and across the Atlantic.

Saturday sees the Group 1 Sprint Trophy at Haydock. 13 stand for the 1200m race on ground which was downgraded to Soft this afternoon. It looks between six on paper and that's not to completely rule out THE TIN MAN but he looks to be declining. He was beaten by the lightly-raced TABDEED at Newbury last time but that looked a weak Group 3 and TABDEED has a little to prove on this ground at this level.

There are three 3-y-o in a race which the classic generation have won and with some quality horses down the years. Are this year's classic runners that good? ART POWER never went a yard in the Nunthorpe and that sharp 1000m wouldn't have suited given his wins have been on much stiffer tracks like Ascot and Naas. I think he has a big chance on the ground.

LOPE Y FERNANDEZ has been placed three times in four races this year and all have been Group 1 heats. His second place in the Jean Prat and third in the Maurice de Gheest read really well but hint he may be more of a 1400m horse and the one race he failed to place was over this trip in the Commonwealth Cup behind GOLDEN HORDE. From there, GOLDEN HORDE ran third in the July Cup and fifth in the Maurice de Gheest and I think he needs 1200m and decent ground and I just think if it stays soft that will be against him.

HELLO YOUMZAIN won this last year as a 3-y-o and this year won the Diamond Jubilee on re-appearance. He was fifth in the July Cup and second in the Maurice de Gheest and that reads really well. The horse he beat at Ascot, DREAM OF DREAMS, is favourite after romping away with the Hungerford but that as over 1400m and I wonder if that's his trip these days.

So, ifs and buts about all of these - I'm minded to back ART POWER at 8s each way and overlook the Nunthorpe run but if the ground dries a little I'd be on HELLO YOUMZAIN who brings the most consistent level of form at this trip about one or two of these who look to now want a bit further.

ENABLE has six rivals in the September at Kempton and she is 1/6 which tells you all you need to know.

In America, it's Derby night at Churchill Downs and while the sun may shine bright on my old Kentucky home, TIS THE LAW looms the clear favourite in the Derby. Interestingly, both the favourite and his two most obvious opponents, HONOR A and AUTHENTIC have been drawn in the car park berths, but that doesn't make finding an alternative any easier. KING GUILLERMO was second in the Arkansas Derby and has been primed for this but TIS THE LAW looked the business at Belmont and if he can win this the Preakness will be at this mercy.

At Saratoga, the feature is the Woodward over 2000m for the older horses, TACITUS mixed it with the very best as a 3-y-o and was third in the Derby and second in the Belmont. He was fifth in the Saudi Cup and returned after a break to slam MORETTI nine lengths last time, He looks one of the leading older contenders for the Breeders Cup Classic along with MAXIMUM SECURITY.

The best race of the weekend is saved for Longchamp on Sunday with the Moulin over 1600m. Just six runners but all quality. It's so good the two locals, PERSIAN KING and VICTOR LUDORUM, both classic winners, are outsiders at 8s and 10s respectively. PERSIAN KING couldn't cope with the Heavy ground in the Marois and the current Good to Soft ground will be much more to his liking and I rate him highly even in this company.

ROMANISED was fifth in the Marois and I'm just not convinced in this company. SISKIN won the Irish 2000 Guineas but the older horses had the edge in the Sussex and he finished third with CIRCUS MAXIMUS second. I love CIRCUS MAXIMUS and you'll never see a braver horse and he may just tough it out. Favourite is PINATUBO who was third in the 2000 Guineas, runner up to PALACE PIER (form which now looks very strong) in the St James's Palace and won the Jean Prat last time. I just think he's a 1400m horse though it's not a straight 1600m in Paris and in the absence of any pace the race might set up nicely for him.

I'm not playing but it's a race to enjoy and I think PINATUBO will get the run of the race and have too much speed for CIRCUS MAXIMUS close home.

[stodge 1,949]

Forgot to mention it's the Kentucky Oaks over 1800m tonight at Churchill Downs and a clash between two superstar fillies in SWISS SKYDIVER and GAMINE.

SWISS SKYDIVER was an impressive winner of the Alabama just three weeks ago and that puts her right in this but GAMINE has been awesome albeit at shorter distances. She bolted yp in the Acorn over 1600m by 19 lengths and then destroyed the field in the 1400m Test winning by seven lengths. There's a question about her over the 200m extra and she has a half-sister who raced in the UK and was a moderate handicapper.

The Racing Post US correspondent fancies DONNA VELOCE and the trip will be no problem but she's not run since early March and it will be some feat to get her match-fit after a six month lay off.

The season resumes in Hong Kong on Sunday as well.

Doncaster's four day Leger Festival starts on Wednesday and the ground is currently Soft, Good to Soft in places but that will dry out a lot and it could be on the quick side by this time next week. The opening day is fairly quiet but two Group 2 races on the Thursday include the May Hill over 1600m for the juvenile fillies. Joseph O'Brien has entered three but John Gosden's INDIGO GIRL went into everyone's notebook with a stellar debut win on soft at Yarmouth and normal improvement should see her make the jump to Pattern company.

The Park Hill over 2800m is known as the fillies' St'Leger though it's more like the Irish version in that older fillies and mares can run as well. 13 have been entered. The four 3-y-o include ALPINISTA who was five lengths behind LOVE at York and was four and a half lengths in front of MANUELA DE VEGA, who looks the best of the older fillies. 

[stodge 1,949]

Time to start the review of last weekend's action in the northern hemisphere.

Friday evening (UK) saw the opening day of the Derby meeting at Churchill Downs which was held in glorious early September weather. The feature Kentucky Oaks looked a match on paper between GAMINE and SWISS SKYDIVER but in the end both were run down by SHEDARESTHEDEVIL who had won the Indiana Oaks previously but had finished 14 lengths off SWISS SKYDIVER in an earlier meeting. As expected, GAMINE and SWISS SKYDIVER went hard, perhaps too hard, from the front and GAMINE patently didn't get beyond 1600m.

On Saturday afternoon in the UK, two significant races took place. At Haydock, the Group 1 Sprint Trophy saw DREAM OF DREAMS follow up his emphatic Hungerford success with a smooth win defeating outsider GLEN SHIEL with the 3-y-os GOLDEN HORDE and ART POWER third and fourth. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cJkXUxMYU0

In an incredibly crowded and quality field of 1200m and 1400m horses at the moment, in has come DREAM OF DREAMS and I'd love to see him take on SPACE BLUES and perhaps PINATUBO in the Foret which, whisper it quietly, might be the race of the day in Paris in early October. He's a gelding so will be around next year and it may just be we've not seen the best of him yet. GLEN SHIEL has come through handicaps and ran a stormer under Hollie Doyle, the jockey of the moment up here. GOLDEN HORDE didn't get home in the ground and I'd want to see him back on a sound surface and this was much better than ART POWER for all he has come from handicaps to Group 1 level as well.

HELLO YOUMZAIN was beaten four lengths in fifth and LOPE Y FERNANDEZ was a slightly disappointing seventh behind the veteran THE TIN MAN.

At Kempton, ENABLE was backed in to 1/14 but if you had a spare £14,000 down the sofa your investment was never really in doubt as the dual Arc winner won by seven lengths.

BUT....

I wasn't impressed - she completely blew the start fly-jumping in the stalls and she can't do that on Arc day as she will be left well out of her ground. Don't forget although the Arc is a French race it will be run as a British race with plenty of pace.

Frankie Dettori said after the race she wasn't coping with the deeper Polytrack - for those who don't follow All-Weather racing (you soon will once you have half a dozen down in NZ), the surface can be harrowed in different ways. If it's deep-harrowed, the surface rides a lot slower (this is often done when jumps horses run on it to simulate winter turf conditions) but ordinary harrowing creates a surface akin to decent summer turf so it's favoured by flat horses. The Polytrack at Kempton has been relaid and new surfaces need deep harrowing to settle in so it was riding I'd say the equivalent of Soft to Heavy turf and I think ENABLE prefers a sound surface.

I can't see her winning the Arc - I know that's tantamount to treason but she doesn't look the same horse as in past seasons. Her defeat to GHAIYYATH in the Eclipse reads very well in hindsight (on fast ground) but the King George win was nothing with JAPAN losing a shoe. LOVE gets 12 lbs and let's not forget ENABLE only just held off SEA OF CLASS on a similar weight concession in 2018 with the latter having an awful draw.

 

[stodge 1,949]

Final declarations are through for the second day of the Leger meeting at Doncaster where the ground is currently Good to Soft, Good in places.

The Group 2 May Hill for the juvenile fillies over 1600m has nine runners. Two unbeaten fillies dominate - INDIGO GIRL won on the soft at Yarmouth but ZABEEL QUEEN, a daughter of Frankel, looked the part in a maiden at Ascot which usually turns up a good one and I can see why she's favourite. That being  said, I think INDIGO GIRL will come on for the debut experience and the better ground and she'd be my choice.

The Park Hill over 2800m has eight runners with four 3-y-o taking on four older fillies. The favourite and clear top-rated is ALPINISTA and if she reproduces her second place to LOVE in the Yorkshire Oaks, she'll win this. BELIEVE IN LOVE has been a prolific winner but in handicap company and I much prefer the Aidan O'Brien trained SNOW in first-time blinkers with Frankie Dettori on board. At 8/1, she's a sporting each way bet.

It's Irish Champions weekend and I'll be posting a preview of all the top races at Leopardstown and The Curragh in the next couple of days. Thee are six Group 1 races over the two days. 

[Red Rum 1,833]

7 minutes ago, stodge said:

Time to start the review of last weekend's action in the northern hemisphere.

Friday evening (UK) saw the opening day of the Derby meeting at Churchill Downs which was held in glorious early September weather. The feature Kentucky Oaks looked a match on paper between GAMINE and SWISS SKYDIVER but in the end both were run down by SHEDARESTHEDEVIL who had won the Indiana Oaks previously but had finished 14 lengths off SWISS SKYDIVER in an earlier meeting. As expected, GAMINE and SWISS SKYDIVER went hard, perhaps too hard, from the front and GAMINE patently didn't get beyond 1600m.

On Saturday afternoon in the UK, two significant races took place. At Haydock, the Group 1 Sprint Trophy saw DREAM OF DREAMS follow up his emphatic Hungerford success with a smooth win defeating outsider GLEN SHIEL with the 3-y-os GOLDEN HORDE and ART POWER third and fourth. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cJkXUxMYU0

In an incredibly crowded and quality field of 1200m and 1400m horses at the moment, in has come DREAM OF DREAMS and I'd love to see him take on SPACE BLUES and perhaps PINATUBO in the Foret which, whisper it quietly, might be the race of the day in Paris in early October. He's a gelding so will be around next year and it may just be we've not seen the best of him yet. GLEN SHIEL has come through handicaps and ran a stormer under Hollie Doyle, the jockey of the moment up here. GOLDEN HORDE didn't get home in the ground and I'd want to see him back on a sound surface and this was much better than ART POWER for all he has come from handicaps to Group 1 level as well.

HELLO YOUMZAIN was beaten four lengths in fifth and LOPE Y FERNANDEZ was a slightly disappointing seventh behind the veteran THE TIN MAN.

At Kempton, ENABLE was backed in to 1/14 but if you had a spare £14,000 down the sofa your investment was never really in doubt as the dual Arc winner won by seven lengths.

BUT....

I wasn't impressed - she completely blew the start fly-jumping in the stalls and she can't do that on Arc day as she will be left well out of her ground. Don't forget although the Arc is a French race it will be run as a British race with plenty of pace.

Frankie Dettori said after the race she wasn't coping with the deeper Polytrack - for those who don't follow All-Weather racing (you soon will once you have half a dozen down in NZ), the surface can be harrowed in different ways. If it's deep-harrowed, the surface rides a lot slower (this is often done when jumps horses run on it to simulate winter turf conditions) but ordinary harrowing creates a surface akin to decent summer turf so it's favoured by flat horses. The Polytrack at Kempton has been relaid and new surfaces need deep harrowing to settle in so it was riding I'd say the equivalent of Soft to Heavy turf and I think ENABLE prefers a sound surface.

I can't see her winning the Arc - I know that's tantamount to treason but she doesn't look the same horse as in past seasons. Her defeat to GHAIYYATH in the Eclipse reads very well in hindsight (on fast ground) but the King George win was nothing with JAPAN losing a shoe. LOVE gets 12 lbs and let's not forget ENABLE only just held off SEA OF CLASS on a similar weight concession in 2018 with the latter having an awful draw.

 

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the Caulfield / Melbourne Cup weights when you get a chance Stodge , a look at the dominance of Northern trained and Northern Bred imports again and compare it to field Subzero faced shows a massive change in one horses lifetime , Subzero faced one US Bred the rest NZ or AU .

Logician in a trappy old 3  runner race  on comeback over 10 , and I see Sir Mark Prescott has found as he does most years a horse to run up a sequence through the weights in Revolver but surely Doncaster Cup a step too far ?  

[stodge 1,949]

21 hours ago, Red Rum said:

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the Caulfield / Melbourne Cup weights when you get a chance Stodge , a look at the dominance of Northern trained and Northern Bred imports again and compare it to field Subzero faced shows a massive change in one horses lifetime , Subzero faced one US Bred the rest NZ or AU .

Logician in a trappy old 3  runner race  on comeback over 10 , and I see Sir Mark Prescott has found as he does most years a horse to run up a sequence through the weights in Revolver but surely Doncaster Cup a step too far ?  

I'll be happy to consider the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup fields but it's an incredibly busy weekend up here with the Leger, Irish Champions Day and the Arc Trials at Longchamp on Sunday so I'll table that to next week.

It's become a match for LOGICIAN tomorrow as ZAAKI has been scratched. Not surprisingly, last year's Leger winner is 1/9 against an opponent who is rated 11 lbs inferior but whom he meets on level weights.

Thanks for the nice lead-in to Friday's action. Seven stand in the Group 2 Doncaster Cup over 3600m. REVOLVER has won six on the bounce and has moved up nearly three stone in the ratings from a mark of 57 to 98. He's won plenty of handicaps but this is Group 2 for all he gets weight from the older horses. SPANISH MISSION is favourite having won well at Chester last time and while he was no match for STRADIVARIUS at Goodwood that's no disgrace at this level.

Both EAGLES BY DAY and RED VERDON have questions to answer in terms of the trip and in the latter's case, the ground. One who won't have a problem with the trip is THE GRAND VISIR who relishes extreme distances running second in the Queen Alexandra and fourth in a 4000m handicap at Goodwood. It's not a betting proposition with jut the seven but he'd be my idea of a winner at a big price.

The variety of UK racing is on display with the other Group 2 on Friday the Flying Childers for the speedball juveniles over 1000m. The filly SACRED was runner up in the Queen Mary and the Lowther so that's solid Group 2 form. THE LIR JET won the Norfolk and was just touched off in the Papin before being decisively defeated in the Phoenix Stakes. STEEL BULL was well behind that day and the other Irish raider, FRENETIC, makes more appeal - on a line through MISS AMULET she comes up close to SACRED.

 

[stodge 1,949]

Big news up here the pilot scheme to return spectators to race meetings has been halted after one day - Doncaster had 2,500 on course this afternoon but on instructions from the local Public Health Officer followed a renewed spike in cases, the racecourse was told it would have to be behind closed doors for the rest of the week.

The course is estimating a loss of £250k which isn't funny but to be fair, as with Goodwood, they took a risk.

The fate of other pilots and the proposed return of crowds from October 1st hang in the balance.

[stodge 1,949]

On then to last Saturday evening and the iconic Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya_SMgKOfzU

Strangely for an American race they went no early pace and that allowed John Velazquez on AUTHENTIC to recover from a slow start and get over to lead by the clubhouse turn. I imagine Manuel Franco wasn't unhappy with the position he had on TIZ THE LAW but AUTHENTIC piled on the pace down the back straight and as they came off the home turn TIZ THE LAW led but the slow early allowed AUTHENTIC to rally and in the end he won going away by a length and a half. TIZ THE LAW was second with outsider MR BIG NEWS in third while HONOR AP, who looked to hate the track, plugging on for fourth.

I imagine AUTHENTIC and TIZ THE LAW will re-match in the Preakness and I think the latter may well benefit from a more traditionally run American race.

Back in France on Sunday, soft ground greeted the six runners for the Moulin over 1600m.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGfuO6TsTTw

This was a strange race and a dominant performance by PERSIAN KING who had won the Poulains in 2019 before being beaten by SOTTSASS in the Jockey Club. He was eight lengths behind PALACE PIER in the Marois but I suspect the Longchamp 1600m suits far better than a straight 1600m at Deauville. CIRCUS MAXIMUS tried to go with the winner but wilted in the final 200m and was beaten a long way in third. PINATUBO was held up for a run but the bird had already flown in the final 300m. It wasn't a bad effort by the second and take out PERSIAN KING and we'd be hailing him as an impressive winner.

I still think PINATUBO is a 1400m horse and I'd love to see him take on some serious rivals in the Foret.

As for the winner, he might come to Ascot but the Queen Elizabeth II is, I think, run on the straight mile rather than the round course.

[Red Rum 1,833]

2 hours ago, stodge said:

I'll be happy to consider the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup fields but it's an incredibly busy weekend up here with the Leger, Irish Champions Day and the Arc Trials at Longchamp on Sunday so I'll table that to next week.

It's become a match for LOGICIAN tomorrow as ZAAKI has been scratched. Not surprisingly, last year's Leger winner is 1/9 against an opponent who is rated 11 lbs inferior but whom he meets on level weights.

Thanks for the nice lead-in to Friday's action. Seven stand in the Group 2 Doncaster Cup over 3600m. REVOLVER has won six on the bounce and has moved up nearly three stone in the ratings from a mark of 57 to 98. He's won plenty of handicaps but this is Group 2 for all he gets weight from the older horses. SPANISH MISSION is favourite having won well at Chester last time and while he was no match for STRADIVARIUS at Goodwood that's no disgrace at this level.

Both EAGLES BY DAY and RED VERDON have questions to answer in terms of the trip and in the latter's case, the ground. One who won't have a problem with the trip is THE GRAND VISIR who relishes extreme distances running second in the Queen Alexandra and fourth in a 4000m handicap at Goodwood. It's not a betting proposition with jut the seven but he'd be my idea of a winner at a big price.

The variety of UK racing is on display with the other Group 2 on Friday the Flying Childers for the speedball juveniles over 1000m. The filly SACRED was runner up in the Queen Mary and the Lowther so that's solid Group 2 form. THE LIR JET won the Norfolk and was just touched off in the Papin before being decisively defeated in the Phoenix Stakes. STEEL BULL was well behind that day and the other Irish raider, FRENETIC, makes more appeal - on a line through MISS AMULET she comes up close to SACRED.

 

Eagles by Day 111 Red Verdon 107 , Cup weights 54 kgs Red Verdon 53.5 kgs Eagles By Day . Head to head a few kilos well in Eagles by Day . Be interesting see how they go over 18 furlongs .

[stodge 1,949]

Huge day on Saturday with significant races in both the UK and Ireland.

At Doncaster it's Leger day - the ground has dried to Good, Good to Soft in places and might be near perfect by Saturday. Before the classic there are two Group 2 races - the Champagne for the juvenile colts over 1400m is a race with a rich history. ALBASHEER won on debut in a maiden over course and distance by six and a half lengths. It was visually hugely impressive and while the obvious question is whether he beat trees, the fact remains he could be anything.

CHINDIT has on both his starts and won a Listed at Ascot last time. His form is better than ALBASHEER's but the latter could be a superstar.

The Park Stakes is also a Group 2 over 1400m but it's for the older horses and this division is, as we know, full of talent this year. Eight go but it's another strong field. ONE MASTER is a Foret winner but this year's renewal is going to be red-hot and she's now looking like a 1600m filly. LIMATO is now eight and won this way back in 2015. He's mixed it with some very good horses and returned with a nice win at Newmarket. I think he would want even quicker ground and I'm more interested in WICHITA who was second in the 2000 Guineas and third in the St James's Palace, True, he was well held in the Sussex and I can excuse his run in the Maurice de Gheest on the ground. I think this is a real opportunity and they've brought him here rather than go for a race in Ireland.

Twelve go in the St Leger over 2800m and it's a trappy race. PYLEDRIVER did me a huge favour at York and could well be the one while SANTIAGO has to bounce back after a moderate effort in the Goodwood Cup but he won the Irish Derby and the Queen's Vase so back among his age group he has real claims.

ENGLISH KING won the Lingfield Derby Trial and was favourite for the Derby. He wasn't the only one who had a miserable experience but looked below par at Goodwood in the Gordon and has questions to answer. HUKUM came into prominence with an impressive win at Newbury last time. He's lightly raced and has obvious claims. GALILEO CHROME represents Joseph O'Brien and won his last two by wide margins but this is Group 1 not Listed and he has it to do.

Among the bigger prices I'm keen on BERKSHIRE ROCCO who was running on at York behind PYLEDRIVER and is a knocking each way bet at 33/1.

Who wins the Leger? I like Group 1 form in Group 1 races and that means SANTIAGO - he is back in his own age group and is a classic winner so he'll do for me with BERKSHIRE ROCCO to sneak into the frame at a price.    

In Ireland, it's day one of Champions Weekend which takes place at Leopardstown where the ground is currently Good.

Eleven go in the Group 1 Matron for the fillies and mares over 1600m. PEACEFUL and FANCY BLUE were first and second in the Irish 1000 Guineas back in mid June but the latter has gone on to win the Diane and the Nassau at Goodwood but these are both over 2000m and I just wonder if that may be her trip. PEACEFUL was a neck behind her in the Diane and I think back at this trip she will come out on top. ALBIGNA is held on Irish Guineas form but KNOW IT ALL could be the one. She was a fine third in the Rothschild at Deauville mixing it with some decent older fillies. I think the sharp track will suit and she's my choice.

The Juvenile Colts race is a Group 2 over 1600m. Not quite sure what to make of this - CADILLAC was hugely impressive on debut but was beaten on soft ground at The Curragh in the Futurity and it has to be hoped the sharper track and quicker ground will help. FERNANDO VICHI was a clear maiden winner over course and distance last time but his jockey cannot claim his allowance. The one that interests me is IDES OF AUGUST who has been absent since a debut win over 1400m at Leopardstown in June. I suspect he's been kept for this and Ger Lyons can produce the horses cherry ripe after a break.

Just six go in the Irish Champion Stakes, a Group 1 over 2000m. This is often one of the best races of the year and it's got another stellar line up. GHAIYYATH has won three Group 1 races in England - the Coronation Cup, the Eclipse and the Juddmonte International last time. A sharp 2000m will be fine and he has every chance. JAPAN was a shade disappointing behind ENABLE in the King George and I'm not convinced this is his trip. MAGICAL is a wonderful mare as we know but she was well held by GHAIYYATH at York last time and I don't see why she should reverse the places. SOTTSASS is the French raider and adds hugely to the race. He won the Jockey Club last year beating PERSIAN KING (and that looks serious form now)and ended up with a third in the Arc which was a great run. He looked really good in the Ganay but wasn't so effective on the heavy at Deauville last time. I remember Almanzor winning this race when it was the race of the season and SOTTSASS is going to go close if he can lay up with GHAIYYATH and pounce late but the latter brings the best form to the race and should win.

Ten go in the Group 2 Boomerang Mile - SAFE VOYAGE was a nice winner at York and I take him to beat CENTURY DREAM who relished the soft conditions at Goodwood last time. SAFE VOYAGE was third in the Queen Elizabeth II at Ascot so a sharp 1600m should be ideal.

 

[stodge 1,949]

If you think Saturday is huge, Sunday is going to be huger (if that's a word).

The second day of the Irish Champions Weekend and Arc Trials Day mean six Group 1 races on a stellar afternoon at The Curragh and Longchamp respectively.

Kicking off in Ireland with what is effectively the climax of the Irish Flat Racing season at The Curragh with four Group 1 races but these are preceded by the Group 2 Blandford for the fillies and mares over 2000m. MAGIC WAND has mixed it with the very best including running fourth in the Eclipse and fifth in the Nassau at Goodwood. On her last run in Group 2 company she romped home by four and a half lengths in the Lanwades over 1600m. Back at Group 2 and with no boys present, she must have a huge chance. CAYENNE PEPPER was second in the Irish Oaks but was beaten in a Group 3 at Cork last time so I'm not sure.

While MAGIC WAND is a fine older filly, ONE VOICE is the answer from the classic generation. She finished in front of MAGIC WAND in the Nassau and was seven lengths behind LOVE in the Yorkshire Oaks. That's not bad form and the drop back in trip will suit so she is my selection.

The Group 1 Championship races kick off with the Flying Five over 1000m. I think this is a sub-standard Group 1 in all honesty. GLASS SLIPPERS won the Abbaye last year and has twice run behind the mighty BATTAASH and on a line through that star holds A'ALI but not by much. A'ALI was fourth in the Nunthorpe but QUE AMORO was second and if that form is accurate, should take all the beating in this. MAKE A CHALLENGE is probably the best of the locals but was beaten by A'ALI back in July and hasn't mixed it at the very highest level unlike some of these. I quite like A'ALI back on a course where he has scored before, but GLASS SLIPPERS is coming to a peak nicely (the Abbaye the intended target I would imagine).

The first of the two juvenile championship races is the Moyglare over 1400m for the fillies. PRETTY GORGEOUS beat SHALE in the Debutante last time and I see no reason why it should be any different this time. The once-raced AUNTY BRIDY is possible but this looks a modest renewal.

The colts go in the National and this looks a fascinating race with Phoenix winner LUCKY VEGA moving up 200m and taking on the likes of BATTLEGROUND and MASTER OF THE SEAS coming over to represent Godolphin from the Charlie Appleby stable. These three dominate the race and are possibly the three bet juvenile colts seen out so far.

LUCKY VEGA did it really well over 1200m last time and you wouldn’t have any doubt about the extra 200m. In time, I suspect, the other two may go over further but I was very taken with MASTER OF THE SEAS at Newmarket in the Superlative and he has an obvious chance. BATTLEGROUND won the Chesham at Ascot and followed up in the Vintage at Goodwood.

I come back to Group 1 form in a Group 1 race and for that reason I’ll go with LUCKY VEGA but it’s not an easy call.

Finally, the Irish St Leger over 2800m. TWILIGHT PAYMENT had former Irish Derby winner SOVEREIGN in third when winning the Vintage Crop (BARBADOS second) and then won the Group 2 Curragh Cup by eight lengths. He’s 40/1 for the Melbourne Cup and a win here will help get him a run at Flemington. FUJAIRA PRINCE won a big 2400m handicap at Royal Ascot and followed up in the ultra-competitive Ebor. This is a logical step and he makes plenty of appeal for all this is a better race in terms of quality. SEARCH FOR A SONG won this last year and showed signs of a return to form behind MAGICAL last time. She’s no back number and might be the each way bet of the race at 8/1.

Meanwhile, at Longchamp it’s Arc Trials day which this year has the added spice of the Grand Prix de Paris which is normally held in mid-July but has been rescheduled this year to be the 3-y-o trial instead of the Niel.

The Foy remains the 2400m trial for the older colts. Only six run, but it’s a class field. WAY TO PARIS beat NAGANO GOLD in the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud and there won’t be much between them but into the mix comes a former English Derby winner in ANTHONY VAN DYCK and the triple Ascot Gold Cup winner STRADIVARIUS. Both were behind GHAIYYATH in the Coronation Cup earlier in the season but that was no disgrace, and both come here with real claims against the locals. My only thought is whether the French racing style will suit either horse particularly STRADIVARIUS who would be more effective over 4000m than 2400m.

The two Group 1 races are also over 2400m and as said the Grand Prix de Paris is effectively the Arc trial for the 3-y-o colts and sees the long-awaited return of English Derby winner SERPENTINE. Debate has raged all summer as to whether his Epsom win was real or a fluke but there’s no doubt, he was given a superb ride, handled the undulations well and was clearly best on the day.

On Epsom form he has nothing to fear from HIGHLAND CHIEF, MOGUL and ENGLISH KING, all of whom were held in the Gordon at Goodwood. The main local challenge is PORT GUILLAUME, who I believe has been sold to Australian interests. The 2000m of the Jockey Club was too sharp and he looked much better in the Hocquart, which is decent form.

If SERPENTINE is the real deal, 7/4 is free money but I need to be convinced and would rather be on PORT GUILLAUME.

The Vermeille is the Group 1 Arc Trial for the fillies and given we have ENABLE and LOVE in the Arc line-up, it’ll take a good one to crash the party but there’s a view in France RAABIHAH is something special. Ten go to post with four older fillies taking on six from the classic generation. RAABIHAH was beaten half a length when fourth in a bunch finish for the Diane and followed up well at Deauville but EVEN SO did nothing wrong winning the Irish Oaks and on a line through CAYENNE PEPPER, there’s little between her and TARNAWA while English raider DAME MAILLOT was a close third in the Preis von Europa last time and that gives her an each way chance.

Speaking of the Preis von Europa, the winner, DONJAN, heads the market for the principal German trial for the Arc, the Grosser Preis von Baden. He didn’t have much to spare over KASPAR with BARNEY ROY fourth. The one that catches my eye is the German Derby runner up TORQUATOR TASSO who was a big price that day but ran a blinder on only his second outing and has huge scope for improvement.

[Ohokaman 5,844]

You were half right there Stodge....funny old race, hacking along and a sprint home. Will be interesting to see who comes out for the Cups.

https://www.racing.com/news/2020-09-14/news-stradivarius-toppled-by-cups-topweight-sb#/

[stodge 1,949]

Plenty of time to pick the bones out of the weekend just gone so a bit further back to start the review.

Day Two of the Leger meeting took place on ground that was basically perfect and under sunny skies - the problem was we were back behind closed doors and Doncaster's Owners were looking at a £250,000 loss.

After an ordinary opening day, Thursday saw two Group 2 races for the fillies. The May Hill for the juveniles over 1600m saw a taking performance from INDIGO GIRL who came away in the final 200m despite looking very green and wandering to the left. I imagine the plan will be the Fillies' Mile but while she was getting some quotes for the Guineas and Oaks, the former may be too sharp and I would need convincing she would deal with the unique contours of Epsom. That said, she's an exciting prospect.

The Park Hill over 2800m saw a successful smash-and-grab raid by the Irish as Joseph O'Brien's PISTA came with a late run to defy VIVIONN and favourite BELIEVE IN LOVE. PISTA is a daughter of American triple crown winner American Pharoah and this was the stallion's biggest win in the U.K to date. Physically, she looked a lovely stamp of a filly and while her future as a broodmare is assured, the plan is to go for the French equivalent race, the Royallieu, in three weeks.

I'm not sure this was the strongest Park Hill ever in all honesty but the winner looks decent.

I wouldn't normally mention a two-runner Class 2 Conditions race but it saw the return of last year's Leger winner, LOGICIAN. I must admit I thought he would be a big player in all the top 2400m races but unfortunately an attack of peritonitis left him close to death on two occasions so it's a triumph of veterinary and training that he is back on the course at all. He looked like a bull to be honest and there's plenty on which to be worked but he did it nicely having a decent gallop round and winning easily as you would expect.

Trainer John Gosden was understandably non-committal after the race and is just hoping the horse takes well to the race over the next 7-10 days. I suspect big targets like the Arc or the Breeders Cup Turf will be off the agenda this year but he could be a real force next year and will become Gosden's stand bearer as both ENABLE and STRADIVARIUS are retired. He looks a potential top notch 2400m horse.

[Red Rum 1,833]

4 minutes ago, stodge said:

Plenty of time to pick the bones out of the weekend just gone so a bit further back to start the review.

Day Two of the Leger meeting took place on ground that was basically perfect and under sunny skies - the problem was we were back behind closed doors and Doncaster's Owners were looking at a £250,000 loss.

After an ordinary opening day, Thursday saw two Group 2 races for the fillies. The May Hill for the juveniles over 1600m saw a taking performance from INDIGO GIRL who came away in the final 200m despite looking very green and wandering to the left. I imagine the plan will be the Fillies' Mile but while she was getting some quotes for the Guineas and Oaks, the former may be too sharp and I would need convincing she would deal with the unique contours of Epsom. That said, she's an exciting prospect.

The Park Hill over 2800m saw a successful smash-and-grab raid by the Irish as Joseph O'Brien's PISTA came with a late run to defy VIVIONN and favourite BELIEVE IN LOVE. PISTA is a daughter of American triple crown winner American Pharoah and this was the stallion's biggest win in the U.K to date. Physically, she looked a lovely stamp of a filly and while her future as a broodmare is assured, the plan is to go for the French equivalent race, the Royallieu, in three weeks.

I'm not sure this was the strongest Park Hill ever in all honesty but the winner looks decent.

I wouldn't normally mention a two-runner Class 2 Conditions race but it saw the return of last year's Leger winner, LOGICIAN. I must admit I thought he would be a big player in all the top 2400m races but unfortunately an attack of peritonitis left him close to death on two occasions so it's a triumph of veterinary and training that he is back on the course at all. He looked like a bull to be honest and there's plenty on which to be worked but he did it nicely having a decent gallop round and winning easily as you would expect.

Trainer John Gosden was understandably non-committal after the race and is just hoping the horse takes well to the race over the next 7-10 days. I suspect big targets like the Arc or the Breeders Cup Turf will be off the agenda this year but he could be a real force next year and will become Gosden's stand bearer as both ENABLE and STRADIVARIUS are retired. He looks a potential top notch 2400m horse.

Had look at pedigree of Baltic Gold today , nice lightly raced three year old out Fabre yard . Borgia appears on damline a couple back , looks a good solid horse for next year to fill some voids when a few go .

[Red Rum 1,833]

8 hours ago, Ohokaman said:

You were half right there Stodge....funny old race, hacking along and a sprint home. Will be interesting to see who comes out for the Cups.

https://www.racing.com/news/2020-09-14/news-stradivarius-toppled-by-cups-topweight-sb#/

Classic French walk then sprint . First race an Epsom Derby winner has won since Harzand won Irish Derby after Epsom in 2016 . So long ago Harzand's first crop are on the track.