News from the North(ern) Hemisphere

[stodge]

On then to the second day of the Irish Champions Weekend and the meeting which in truth marks the climax of the Irish flat racing season - after this, apart from the odd Group 2, there's very little of note through the rest of the season.

Overnight and morning showers left the ground at The Curragh Good to Yielding and this prompted a couple of key late withdrawals which I'll mention as we reach each race. The top team of Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore had four winners at Leopardstown and once again had a stack of serious chances.

The first of the four Group 1 races was the Flying Five over 1000m and this featured a re-match between the second and third from the Nunthorpe at York - HIGHFIELD PRINCESS had won this last year and was Evens favourite to follow up but faced a serious rival in BRADSELL who had beaten her in the King's Stand at Ascot. ART POWER was third in the betting despite looking held on form as he had a decent record over the course and distance.

Flying Five: 

A real turn up as the favourites were comprehensively eclipsed in a race which, to be honest, few got involved and the stands side was not the place to be.

The first three home were prominent throughout - MOSS TUCKER is arguably better known as a 1200m horse and he got up right on the jamstick suggesting, to this observer, whatever the official going report, the ground was riding a bit slower. GET AHEAD ran well for Clive Fox but he had been three lengths behind HIGHFIELD PRINCESS and BRADSELL at York so there was no real reason to suspect the form would be turned round and to be fair you could say the same for EQUALITY who had finished sixth in the bunch finish at York (GET AHEAD almost alongside in eighth).

I never thought either HIGHFIELD PRINCESS or BRADSELL looked happy - not really sure why though we know BRADSELL does like quick ground. 

Presumable, for the first three, the Abbaye at Longchamp will be the next step but this was an odd result for this division.

On then to the two juvenile championship races - first, the Moyglare for the fillies over 1400m and Aidan O'Brien had a strong hand here with the unbeaten YLANG YLANG going off favourite.

Moyglare Stud Stakes: 

A rare setback for Ballydoyle as YLANG YLANG found nothing when ridden and probably hadn't ever got into a real race before.

The front two look above average and drew four and a half lengths clear of the others. FALLEN ANGEL was a rare British winner of this race and a nice bit of placing by Karl Burke who had won on the previous afternoon with FLIGHT PLAN so a decent weekend's raid. She'd looked very good in the Sweet Solera at Newmarket and I think she likes a little juice in the ground. The second lost nothing in defeat and on this evidence is clearly the best of the Irish fillies having won the Debutante over course and distance on her previous outing. VESPERTILIO deserves to be the top Irish filly but where she would suit against the English fillies is hard to be certain at this stage. It does seem however, for all he has a superb bunch of juvenile colts, we've yet to see a star among the Ballydoyle juvenile fillies.

The National over the same 1400m for the juvenile colts lost much of its interest with the defection of CITY OF TROY. O'Brien has made no bones he thinks the horse needs quick ground and the morning rain wouldn't have helped. Ballydoyle were thus relying on the promising HENRY LONGFELLOW but he faced a serious rival in the Phoenix winner BUCCANEURO FEURTE.

National Stakes: 

However you dress that up, that was an impressive performance by HENRY LONGFELLOW and the sky really is the limit for this son of Minding (her first foal) out of Dubawi. He's bred to be a champion and he's heading in the right direction.

I'm not quite sure what the AMO Racing tactics were here but BUCCANEURO FUERTE is a speed horse and his stable companion and pace maker ran the finish out of him - I wonder if it was this rather than Stott's ride on KING OF STEEL which led to his sacking on Monday afternoon.

It played right into HENRY LONGFELLOW's hands as he is a galloper and I see him already as a huge Derby prospect for 2024. He's in the Dewhurst and the Vertem Futurity but I think we'll see even better over 2400m next summer. ISLANDS IN THE STREAM wasn't disgraced in second but BUCCANEURO FUERTE is clearly a sprinter and I expect we'll see him back at 1200m next time.

Also worth noting this was Aidan O'Brien's 4000th winner as a trainer - remarkable achievement.

Finally, the Irish St Leger and the eagerly awaited return of last year's champion stayer KYPRIOS. With EMILY DICKENSON a late withdrawal, the 2022 English Leger winner ELDAR ELDAROV looked the main threat to another Ballydoyle Group 1 win.

Irish St Leger: 

ELDAR ELDAROV noew has a brace of St Legers and to be honest he always looked much happier here than he had at either Ascot or Goodwood and clearly the 2800m is his optimum trip. Whether they'll send him to France for the Royal Oak I don't know.

KYPRIOS never looked at ease and Ryan Moore was always pushing and shoving - he's a relentless galloper and has little real speed. Whether he just got tired on his first run back for nearly a year I don't know but you'd think Aidan would expect a lot of improvement and the obvious targets are the Cadran and the Stayers on Champions Day.

The Ribblesdale form from Ascot continues to look better with each run and with winner WARM HEART following up in the Vermeille an hour earlier, the runner up LUMIERE ROCK was a comfortable winner of the Group 2 Blandford. Thet put cheekpieces on her after a slightly below par effort in the Irish Oaks (though to be fair WARM HEART didn't run that well in that race either). I wonder if a race like the Opera might be on her agenda.

[stodge]

Moving on, the Doncaster Leger Festival kicks off tomorrow.

The ending of the heatwave last weekend and early this week has proved strange - in London and the South, the heat has eased away, we had a heavy shower in East London yesterday evening but that's all and the ground for tomorrow's Epsom card is Good to Firm.

In the north, the end of the weekend and Monday brought huge storms and biblical amounts of rain so at Doncaster, one of the best draining tracks in the country, the ground is Soft.

Two Group 2 races to kick off the card on what is known as Ladies' Day - the May Hill for the juvenile fillies over 1600m has nine runners. DARNATION impressed on soft ground at Goodwood last time in a Group 3 and with some improvement is understandably on top of most shortlists. ROMANOVA was beaten a long way on soft ground on debut but on her second run at Salisbury bolted up by seven and a half lengths. That was just a maiden and I think she has a lot to prove running for Ollie Sangster. The King's runner HARD TO RESIST was third when DARNATION won at Goodwood - can't obviously see why she should make up three and a half lengths on the same terms.

The one who interests me is Andrew Balding's SEE THE FIRE who won nicely on debut at Newmarket a month ago. She's by Dubawi out of Arabian Queen who won the Juddmonte at 50s beating GOLDEN HORN. She went on to finish sixth to TREVE in that year's Vermeille while GOLDEN HORN won that year's Arc in which TREVE finished fourth so that was really top form in 2015. It's a guess as to how good SEE THE FIRE will be but the 1600m will suit and longer term you'd see her as an Oaks prospect.

Ten go in the Park Hill over 2800m for the filliea and mares. Five 3-y-o take on five older fillies and mares and to be honest this is a trappy heat. Top rated is SUMO STAR who won the Lillie Langtry at Goodwood by eight and a half lengths but it was heavier than a July afternoon in NZ (it was the last race run on the round track before the meeting was abandoned so nearer H15 than H11 I think). This is soft but nowhere near as deep and I just wonder if that flattered the winner a lot. 

BOOGIE WOOGIE represents Aidan O'Brien fresh from another hugely successful Irish Champions Weekend. She's not really performed this season - she was sixth in the Saint Alary and didn't run that well at Cork last time after a break - I can oppose her. GOLDEN LYRA may just be the best of the older fillies and her fourth in the Pomone got a real boost when the winner, MELO MELO, ran a fine second in the Vermeille last Sunday. It's solid Group 2 form and may be good enough. 

My idea of the winner is ONE EVENING representing the Gosden team - she was second in the Galtres at York last time and while we know she handles quick form, the dam is a Pivotal mare so there's some hope juice in the ground won't be a disadvantage and may even bring some improvement. I've played at 8s as I think she could be the least exposed of what is perhaps a sub standard field for this race.

On Friday, twelve stand in the Group 2 Flying Childers for the juvenile speedballs over 1000m. BIG EVS fishes in calmer waters after trying to mix it with the very best in the Nunthorpe. He won the Molecomb at Goodwood on soft ground so if York hasn't left a mark he must have a big chance. INQUISITIVELY won a Listed at York and beat the same horse (PUROSANGUE) as BIG EVS had at Goodwood. I'm not sure the form line works - York and Goodwood are as similar as two dissimilar things in a pod. VALIANT FORCE won the Norfolk at Ascot but was well behind VANDEEK in the Morny and he'd be my idea of the winner if the ground quickened.

Just five stand in the Doncaster Cup over 3600m and it's a re-run of last year's edition with COLTRANE and TRUESHAN, the first two split by a neck, re-opposing. TRUESHAN reversed the places in the Stayers on Champions Day last year but has had a quiet campaign so far and was seven lengths behind COLTRANE in the Sagaro. The latter went on from the Sagaro to finish second in the Gold Cup, was third at Goodwood but won the Lonsdale reversing the Gold Cup form with COURAGE MON AMI.

Strictly on the figures, there's nothing between them and you could argue COLTRANE has had much the harder season but he is so consistent he's hard to oppose for all we know TRUESHAN on his best form on soft ground is very hard to beat.

 

[Tauhei Notts]

Stodge, if you are chatting with Chuck and Cam would you please wish them all the best for Desert Hero on Sunday.

[Ohokaman]

A couple of French fillies have late nominated for the Melbourne Cup Stodge.

Lastotchka  - who won the Prix Gladiateur Stakes over 3100m last start.

Rue Boissonade - who won a Group 2 race at Longchamp a couple of starts back.

Trained by Mikel Delzangles who won the 2011 Melbourne Cup and 2012 Caulfield Cup with Dunaden.

Will be very interesting to see if either actually turn up.

[stodge]

12 hours ago, Ohokaman said:

A couple of French fillies have late nominated for the Melbourne Cup Stodge.

Lastotchka  - who won the Prix Gladiateur Stakes over 3100m last start.

Rue Boissonade - who won a Group 2 race at Longchamp a couple of starts back.

Trained by Mikel Delzangles who won the 2011 Melbourne Cup and 2012 Caulfield Cup with Dunaden.

Will be very interesting to see if either actually turn up.

Virtually no interest in either the Caulfield Cup or the Cox Plate from up here. If GREENLAND got anywhere near either race the Aussies are in big trouble. WEST WIND BLOWS isn't bad - third in an Eclipse - but again shouldn't be anywhere near the best of the southern hemisphere.

LASTOTCHKA - proven Group 3 performer, third to SIMCA MILLE in the Group 2 Grand Prix de Chantilly on good ground probably her best effort.

RUE BOISSONADE - much more interesting, Won the Malleret and a close fourth in last Sunday's Vermeille. Out of a previously modest American dam by an almost equally unknown sire, she'll get all the allowances.

[stodge]

Saturday's declarations are in and nine have declared for the St Leger over 2800m. Aidan O'Brien saddles four, John and Thady Gosden have three runners leaving William Haggas and the Crisfords to make up the numbers.

Aidan relies on Voltigeur winner CONTINUOUS with TOWER OF LONDON his next best. The former has serious claims despite being no match for Derby runner up KING OF STEEL in the King Edward VII. He should get the trip though he's never gone beyond 2400m.

The Gosden's plans were slightly complicated when Frankie Dettor switched to ARREST and that caused the horse to shorten from 9/2 to 3s. ARREST won the Chester Vase before disappointing in the Derby and was nine lengths behind CONTINUOUS at Ascot. After a break, he returned to win a Group 3 at Newbury - the soft ground is a big help and any more rain would only improve his chances.

The Gosden second string is the previous favourite, GREGORY, who lost his unbeaten record in the Voltigeur finishing third to CONTINUOUS. The horse drifted from 11/4 to 4s with Dettori choosing ARREST but his Queen's Vase win shows the trip holds no fears.

Perhaps most interesting is the third Gosden runner, MIDDLE EARTH, who won the Melrose at York beating DENMARK but the latter was only third in a Haydock handicap last weekend and I'd be surprised if the form stacked up at Group 1 level.

There won't be a dry eye in the house if the Royal runner DESERT HERO wins. He won the Gordon at Goodwood on soft ground beating CHESSPIECE and running as though the 400m extra distance would be right up his street and I'd fancy him to confirm places with the runner up.

What we have is a shortage of solid Group 1 form and half the field barely proven at Group 3. The form horse is CONTINUOUS and his win last autumn in France on soft ground suggests the surface won't be an issue as long as he sees out the trip. No such worries either on that score from GREGORY and he might be the one to follow the O'Brien horse home.

Just five go in the Group 2 Champagne for the juvenile colts over 1400m, ROSALLION comes here having won both his races including a very impressive performance at Ascot last time. If the soft ground doesn't cause a problem, he should win this.

Just six go in the Park over 1400m - Maurice de Gheest runner up SPYCATCHER was a late scratching from last Saturday's Sprint Trophy and this much slower ground will be ideal for all he is unproven at the trip. The problem for supporters of SANDRINE and AUDIENCE is both seem to prefer quick ground.

[Tauhei Notts]

Stodge, it is disappointing that our TAB will not show the St Leger live.  Apparently, apart from the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe day, they do not do telecasts past midnight, our time, on a Sunday evening.  With the two majesties having a prominent runner, by no means a certainty, it might provide huge publicity for the racing game.

[Tauhei Notts]

Readers, please accept my apology for my silly error.  

Somehow I got it in my mind that this year's St Leger was to be run on a Sunday English time.  It was Saturday, you mug.

I don't think Continuous can back up in two weeks time for Longchamps.  I really was hoping for Desert Hero, but he wasn't good enough.

[stodge]

Before we get to the main course of Leger day, a quick review of the horses d'oeuvres which were the first two days on the Town Moor.

The deluge of rain (nearly 30mm) which had hit the course the previous weekend had left the ground Soft and while it dried a little into the second day it was quite tacky and holding and certainly not for those who liked quick ground.

The first day was Ladies' Day and the two features were for the fillies and mares. The May Hill for the juveniles over 1600m went to favourite DARNATION, another winnder for Karl Burke who is having his best ever season. DARNATION had looked effective when winning the Group 3 Prestige at Goodwood on slow ground and she galloped all the way to the line looking as though she'll go even further. The Marcel Boussac was mentioned in the post-race discussions.

SEE THE FIRE ran well in second - she lugged in behind the winner 300m down and was well held but for a second run it was decent and I think we'll see a lot more of her at middle distances next year. The rest were between seven lengths or more by the winner.

The Park Hill over 2800m was likely to be attiritional in the ground and so it proved. SUMO STAR had galloped through wetter conditions in the Lillie Langtry but answered every call from jockey Rossa Ryan and was pulling away at the line. I'd love to see her in the Royal Oak - the second, ONE EVENING, also ran very well for the Gosdens. She's lightly raced and hopefully they'll keep her going as a 5-y-o. Giving 7 lbs to the winner on this ground was always going to be a big ask. LMAY ran well beyond her odds in a close thirds while Geoffrey Freer runner up, CHING SHIH, travelled into the race well but for me didn't quite see out the 2800m - 2600m looks to be her trip.

Some of the fancied horses got completely bogged down - NIGHT SPARKLE went off 4/1 joint fav with SUMO SAM but was beaten the thick end of 25 lengths while GOLDEN LYRA only just beat the next winner home.

By Friday the ground had dried to Soft, Good to Soft in places but it remained quite tacky and slow. Four were taken out of the Flying Childers including VALIANT FORCE which left BIG EVS favourite to put the Nunthorpe flop behind him and he did so in spades making nearly all to win by nearly three lengths eased down. He flew the gates and seemed very happy on the slow ground - it's not often a juvenile wins the Windsor Castle, Molecomb and Flying Childers so BIG EVS is a very fast horse. Connections want to go for the Juvenile Turf Sprint at the Breeders Cup - I'm not convinced the quick turf will be to his advantage. FLORA OF BERMUDA chased home the winner - she's a 1000m filly at this stage having failed to see out the 1200m in the Lowther.

The Doncaster Cup over 3600m is a race even older than the Leger - first run in 1766, it predates the Leger by 10 years and Cook's first voyage to NZ by two years. Last year, TRUESHAN went off 2/9 favourite but was turned over in a thrilling duel by COLTRANE. The two were closely matched on Goodwood Cup and Champions Day Stayers form but this campaign, while COLTRANE had mixed it in all the big staying races, TRUESHAN had been moderate having been beaten first time up in the Further Flight at Nottingham before finishing seven lengths behind COLTRANE in the Sagaro in early May.

TRUESHAN sweated in the paddock but was given a brilliant ride by Hollie Doyle who, after enduring a modest first half of the race, brought TRUESHAN to the outside, took the lead, and as the saying goes "kept improving his position".  The favourite COLTRANE folded tamely 400m and it was the Ebor runner up SWEET WILLIAM who came with the last challenge under Robert Havlin but TRUESHAN, though perhaps momentarily headed, has stamina to spare and regained the initiative in the final 200m to win a shade cosily.

The choice will be the Cadran or the Champions Day Sprint at Ascot (actually may not be either/or given the three week gap this year) for the winner. SWEET WILLIAM ran a fine second - they won't be sending him to Melbourne this year but who knows in 2024? He looks a fine Cup horse for the big staying races next year. BROOME ran another decent race in third - he may not be the force he was but he can still mix it close to the top table. COLTRANE folded tamely on what was a disappointing day for the Balding yard (they had the short priced favourite in the big handicap which also finished last). Connections blamed the ground and perhaps the horse did done too much.

[stodge]

On then to Leger Day and a really special occasion with the King and Queen in attendance and the small matter of Frankie Dettori's final classic ride in Britain.

Dettori was on ARREST, the Cheshire Vase and Geoffrey Freer winner, who went off a narrow 11/4 favourite. Second in at 3s was the form horse, CONTINUOUS, representing Aidan O'Brien, who had been an impressive winner of the Voltigeur at York but for whom this was a first attempt at the 2800m trip. On 5s we had GREGORY, who a week ago had been Leger favourite but with Dettori choosing his stable mate ARREST, GREGORY, the Queen's Vase winner and third in the Voltigeur, had struggled to attract support. At 6s we had DESERT HERO, the Royal runner, bidding to become the first royal winner of this race since the great Dunfermline beat Alleged in 1977. He had won the Gordon at Goodwood but was unproven at this level.

MIDDLE EARTH was the third Gosden runner and an improving handicapper while Godolphin relied on CHESSPIECE who was closely matched with DESERT HERO on Goodwood form. Aidan O'Brien made up the rest of the field with TOWER OF LONDON still holding a Melbourne Cup entry and both DENMARK and ALEXANDROPULIS outsiders.

The large crowd and atmosphere seemed to get to both ARREST and DESERT HERO before the off with the former skittish behind the stalls and the latter sweating freely on what was admittedly quite a warm and humid afternoon.

St Leger: 

Sometimes it is that obvious - for all the emotion around ARREST and DESERT HERO, CONTINUOUS had the form in the book and, much as at York, just had too much tactical speed for this lot of gallopers. Despite taking a strong enough grip, CONTINUOUS was able to quicken smartly 500m down and from then the others were chasing in vain.

I'm not sure the winner had a lot left at the line and he wasn't pulling away from ARREST but still had nearly three lengths to spare. Aidan O'Brien's seventh English Leger but only Ryan Moore's third as this meeting usually clashes with Irish Champions Weekend. 

ARREST did little wrong in second - he also took a grip but foud when Frankie asked 450m down - the problem is, he's a galloper and you'd have to say yet another potential stayer for the Gosen yard for next year. DESERT HERO never really looked like landing the spoils for the King but he heads to Melbourne with a chance but I can't see him beating the likes of VAUBAN even with the weight concession.

TOWER OF LONDON also heads to Melbourne and you'd have to say on this evidence there's very little between them  - they were split by half a length. 

GREGORY set the pace again as he had at York but while he went too quick in the Voltigeur, he didn't go quick enough here to make it a real stamina test and he was outpaced from 600m down. I'm not convinced he'll be a top stayer as he looks vulnerable to anything with a quick.

There was a big gap back to CHESSPIECE, MIDDLE EARTH and the other two O'Brien horses, all of whom were well beaten.

Immediately after the race, Aidan O'Brien suggested CONTINUOUS could go for the Arc which would be a brave call - as of this evening, no decision has been made. You'd think 2400m on soft ground round Longchamp would be ideal but there's no doubt he had a race at Doncaster and even the great Nijinsky couldn't follow up at Longchamp in 1970. 

Dettori was sanguine in defeat and was given a Leger jockeys' cap with the colours of his Leger winners - he laughed and joked with Ryan Moore (the two seem on very good terms these days) in the paddock and even had a brief word with the King and Queen who seemed happy to be at the course even though it didn't quite work out as the patriotic well-wishers hoped.

That didn't make it a good result for the bookmakers as those of us who don't play on sentiment backed the winner.

To be fair, the supporting Group 2 races were excellent for the bookies - in the Champagne for the juveniles, the unbeaten ROSALLION didn't impress many in the paddock as he appeared to be already starting his winter coat. He drifted from 2/5 to 4/6 as money came for IBERIAN who looked magnificent. On paddock inspection, you could only back IBERIAN and in the race he was always travelling well behind pacesetter SUNWAY and these were the only two who ever really got involved.

IBERIAN eased past SUNWAY 300m down and went on to win by a couple of lengths. SUNWAY held on for second. ROSALLION travelled well enough into the race but found nothing for pressure and faded tamely to finish third to the sound of bubbles bursting. He may well be back next season and he's worth another chance. IBERIAN is 7s for the Dewhurst and goes there with claims - whether he can mix it with the top Ballydoyle colts remains to be seen but he may be one of the best of the home defence. I thought SUNRAY put up a decent effort and reversed the 15 length deficvit he had with ROSALLION from Ascot on this softer ground.

The Park Stakes over the straight 1400m looked an excellent opportunity for SPYCATCHER, who was taken out of the Sprint Trophy on account of the quick ground, to build on his second in the Maurice de Gheest. However, this was a rare time when the Karl Burke bandwagon was brought to a halt as SPYCATCHER was readily outpointed by the older types AUDIENCE and SANDRINE - the latter prevailed by three quarters of a length. It's often forgotten SANDRINE is only four and has danced ,many of the big dances - she was fifth in the 2022 1000 Guineas and third in the Falmouth but she even beat KINROSS in the Lennox that year.

This year, she's been less consistent but her third to the aforementioned KINROSS in the City of York last time (AUDIENCE second) hinted at a return to form and she revered the York places with AUDIENCE though in truth they remain closely matched. She flopped in the Foret last year and I think the Breeders Cup Mile would be right up her street. AUDIENCE ran better too and it won't have escaped York CEO William Darby, pushing to get the City of York raised to Group 1, that the second and third from York have filled the first two places in another 1400m Group 2.

That then was Doncaster for 2023 and one or two reputations taking a knock but a fine redemption for both BIG EVS and TRUESHAN while CONTINUOUS won the big one and may yet seek glory in Paris early next month. 

 

[stodge]

I'm taking a bit of a break from posting for a few days.

It's a quiet weekend up coming in Britain and Ireland with the feature the Group 2 Mill Reef at Newbury. 14 have been entered for the 1200m juvenile race and it's the usual mix of proven but beatable performers such as LAKE FOREST and ELITE STATUS mixing it with EBEN SHADDAD, a son of Calyx (first season sire) who won his Newmarket maiden on debut by four lengths and is filed very much under "could be anything".

Ayr stages its big race, the 1200 Gold Cup handicap and its supporting races, the Silver and Bronze Cups with all three races having attracted over 100 entries.

The end of the month sees the two day Cambridgeshire meeting at Newmarket featuring the Cheveley Park and Middle Park for the juveniles while the two day Arc meeting on the Saturday and Sunday has, as its second day, the strongest single day card of any European meeting featuring the Marcel Boussac, Jean Luc Lagardere, Abbaye, Cadran, Foret and of course the Arc itself.

What wins the big one? I'm against ACE IMPACT - if the ground comes up Soft, HUKUM looks the one. If it goes Good, I'd fancy WESTOVER or perhaps FEED THE FLAME.

[Tauhei Notts]

Small remote tote pools can turn up ridiculous odds.

Ace Impact paid $5.00 for a place in The arc.

[Ohokaman]

More Europeans arriving down under Stodge. Interested in your comments on them.

 

[stodge]

Back from 12 days break on a cruise to the Canaries and back with Mrs Stodge. A nice bit of late summer sunshine but the timing could have been better as I was away for the start of the Northern Hemisphere autumn racing including of course Arc weekend of which much more anon.

In England, the last day of September saw the final day of the Cambridgeshire meeting at Newmarket. The aforementioned is an 1800m handicap run on a straight track with 34 runners - a huge gamble on GREEK ORDER (backed in to 5/2) just went astray and saved the bookies a huge payout.

The card also featured two juvenile Group 1 races, both over 1200m. The fillies had their turn in the Cheveley Park - the home challenge looked pretty weak with SOPRANO arguably the best (RELIEF RALLY was a late scratching) and the favourite was the French challenger JASNA'S SECRET who had won twice at Deauville on soft ground.  She now faced quick ground (Good to Firm, Good in places). Aidan O'Brien sent over CHERRY BLOSSOM while son Donnacha saddled PORTA FORTUNA who had run second in the Phoenix and third in the Moyglare.

Cheveley Park Stakes: 

Having ridden a previous winner, Donnacha became the first individual to also train the winner of this race. I wasn't convinced she got home in the Moyglare but perhaps that was down to the slower ground at The Curragh. She relished the quicker ground and the shorter trip and while you'd give her a shout in the Guineas if the ground came up fast, I suspect she'll be sprinting next season.

PEARLS AND RUBIES had finished six lengths behind the winner in the Moyglare but this was a much improved effort but little surprise as she had loved the quick ground when finishing runner up in the Chesham at Ascot. I wonder if she'll go to America.

SACRED ANGEL was finishing best in third and is another sprinting bred filly who enjoyed the top of the ground which is more than JASNA'S SECRET did - she looked all at sea in the Dip and was well beaten. SOPRANO never had a prayer on the stands side and she's certainly worth another chance. The first five were split by less than three lengths so I suspect we've seen no world beaters here.

The Middle Park for the colts saw VANDEEK, the winner of the Richmond and the Morny, sent off a solid 5/4 favourite. The query about him was the ground - he had looked very effective on a softer surface at both Deauville and Goodwood but this was quick autumn ground. Coventry winner RIVER TIBER looked the best of the rest.

MIddle Park Stakes: 

Four wins on the bounce for VANDEEK but that's him done for the season and he won't be going to the Dewhurst. He's bred to run 1200m and he'd be my idea of the 2024 Commonwealth Cup winner at this stage. I'd always prefer him on decent or slow ground - he looked ill at ease coming down the hill but powered home strongly and established himself as arguably the top British juvenile colt. 

RIVER TIBER is no mug but he was well held as was TASK FORCE but the latter is bred to be a Guineas contender and I think 1400m early next season (Greenham?) might be a shrewd move. 

The Group 2 races at the meeting are worth a mention - CARLA'S WAY had finished six lengths behind PORTA FORTUNA in the Albany but there may be less between them based on the former's win in the Rockfel for the juvenile fillies but CARLA'S WAY is a Guineas prospect to my eye and she's in the Fillies Mile back at Newmarket in ten days. The Joel over the mile had only six runners but they were the usual suspects and MUTASAABEQ returned to form back in Group 2 company having found the Lockinge and the Queen Anne a bit much. He loves the track and the quick ground.

The Royal Lodge over a mile for the juveniles on the Saturday saw GHOSTWRITER maintain his unbeaten record, winning his third race and earning a 10/1 quote for the Vertem Futurity. 

[stodge]

On then to Arc weekend at Longchamp and after struggling to get the balance of races right,  France Galop have created a two-day Festival to rival if not surpass Irish Champions Weekend. It is justifiably the climax of the European season and the Arc remains the totemic European 2400m race. 

Saturday's card, which used to be all Group 2 races, has been enhanced by bringing the Cadran and the Royallieu over from the Sunday.

The drying ground at Longchamp meant it was officially Good to Soft, far removed from some of the very deep conditions we've seen in recent years in Paris.

The Cadran is known as France's Gold Cup and is run over the marathon 4000m trip.

TRUESHAN had returned in triumph at Doncaster from his spell in the wilderness but he faced a useful local challenger in SKAZINO and Aidan O'Brien's challenger EMILY DICKENSON, who had swerved the Irish Leger for this and also had the assistance of Frankie Dettori (spending two days in Paris as part of his global farewell tour).

Prix du Cadran: 

A summer wind operation has clearly worked wonders and this wonderful 7-y-o is rigth back to his best. The association with Hollie Doyle has done both of them a huge turn and on this evidence you'd look forward to the re-match with KYPRIOS at Ascot on Champions Day - TRUESHAN is 5/2 and KYPRIOS 6/4. Obviously, we'd need some rain but if it comes and they both turn up, I think we'll all be in for a treat.

RUN FOR OSCAR would win 5000m races if they had them but he's no match for the top stayers from 3200-4000m.

The Royallieu is for the 3-y-o fillies and mares over 2800m - it's not been a Group 1 for long but it holds its own despite the presence of the Vermeille and offers the staying fillies a chance to get some useful black type. 14 went to post and while the local MELO MELO headed the market (and rightly so having won the Pomone at Deauville and been a close second in the Vermeille), there was a strong challenge from both England and Ireland.

Prix de Royallieu: 

This was a real war - they ran 2 minutes 57.06 seconds and this was by far the beat time on the card - below standard by 1.04 seconds and the only race to be run below standard time.

I've been a bit rude on occasions about Aurelien Lemaitre - his ride on BLUE ROSE CEN in the Nassau at Goodwood probably the worst I've seen in a Group 1 this year - but he got this spot on here. He was the last off the bridle at the 400m and SEA SILK ROAD thoroughly relished the step up in trip as her runs behind WARM HEART (who comes out of this as arguably the best European middle distance 3-y-o filly) in the Yorkshire Oaks and Vermeille suggested. She's 10s for the Fillies & Mares on Champions Day but I think she could be vulnerable back at 2400m.

They got in each other's way quite a bit in what was a rough race and the main sufferer was RUE BOISSONADE who finished fourth and I think her performance can be marked up. MIMIKYU and SHAMIDA were other sufferers but neither would have lived with the winner even with a clear run. MELO MELO didn't see out the trip and finished eighth.

On the undercard,  POKER FACE beat ISAAC SHELBY in a British 1-2 in the Daniel Wildenstein. The winner is an improving 4-y-o and might be seen in the top mile races next year.

[stodge]

I'll cover Arc day in two chunks I think but a moment to look forward to the coming weekend.

To be honest, it's fairly quiet but we do have the Group 1 Sun Chariot for the fillies and mares at Newmarket.

INSPIRAL is Evens favourite - she was second in the Queen Anne and won the Jacques Le Marois though she was disappointing in the Sussex in between. Back against her own gender, she looks to have a significant advantage over the locals but she faces an interesting French rival in MQSE DE SEVIGNE who won both the Rothschild and the Romanet at Deauville in August. They were on slower ground and I reckon it'll still be on the fast side at Newmarket and while we know INSPIRAL is vulnerable on really firm ground it won't be summer quick ground.

Sunday is quiet but in the Czech Republic they have their most famous race - the Velka Pardubicka over 6850m. Think of the Grand National or the Great Northern run over a ploughed field and as a cross country steeple chase and you'll get the idea.

[stodge]

Arc Day in Paris - arguably the climax of the European season and certainly the one day where the French do racing well. There's a huge crowd with a significant contingent from the UK and Ireland travelling over via Eurostar and other means.

It's often wet and generally very soft ground but this year, thanks to the dry early autumn, the ground was officially Good to Soft but the times and penetrometer readings suggested it was near Good if not even slightly faster than Good ground.

Six Group 1 races dominate the card though most of the French tend to bet on the Tierce handicaps at the end of the card - two very valuable 20-runner races where, if you can get the first four, you can win a huge dividend.

That's not my concern and I'll focus on the quality end. 

The six championship races were the Marcel Boussac for the juvenile fillies over 1600m, the Jean Luc Lagardere for the juvenile colts over 1400m. The Opera is for the fillies and mares over 2000m and the Abbaye for the sprinters over 1000m. The Foret is the 1400m championship race and of course the Arc de Triomphe itself run over 2400m.

The card opened with the juvenile races - 10 went to post in the Jean Luc Lagardere. Favourite was the local BEAUVATIER who had won the Group 3 Rochette four weeks ago and looked to be on the upgrade but he faced a significant British and Irish challenge. Richard Hannon saddled ROSALLION who was aiming to bounce back from a disappointing effort in the Champagne at Doncaster while Aidan O'Brien had two - UNQUESTIONABLE, who had run twice behind BUCCANEURO FUERTE in the Railway and the Phoenix and HENRY ADAMS, the second string under Christophe Soumillon

Prix Jean Luc Lagardere: 

. An emphatic return to form for ROSALLION and after a few quiet years it's good to see Richard Hannon with a decent juvenile and clearly they'll be thinking about the 2000 Guineas for this one but he seems to need decent ground. The Ballydoyle race plan all went to plan and it would be fair to say UNQUESTIONABLE isn't at the very top of the juvenile pecking order so Aidan O'Brien will probably not be too concerned overall.

HENRY ADAMS set the pace and stuck on well enough in fourth with the favourite BEAUVATIER finishing off well for third and you'd think he would be a key contender for the Poulains next year on this evidence. 

10 also went to post in the Marcel Boussac for the fillies over the mile. Favourite was Aidan O'Brien's OPERA SINGER who had won a Group 3 by six and a half lengths last time and while all the attention has been on Aidan's colts, his fillies have been progressing much more slowly. DARNATION was the main British challenger but all her form was on much slower ground and the drying conditions saw her drift like the proverbial barge in the betting market.

Prix Marcel Boussac: 

A deeply impressive performance by OPERA SINGER who put these to the sword, coming home five lengths clear. You could perhaps argue it wasn't the strongest field for this race but Ryan Moore clearly knew what kind of engine she had and when he went for her 500m out the response was decisive and she powered through the line in the style of a very decent sort. She's by Justify out of a Sadler Wells mare so you'd think she'd get at least 2000m and I imagine Ballydoyle are already thinking about the Guineas and Oaks.

ROSE BLOOM was second for the locals while DARNATION pulled too hard and was well held in the final 300m but this was very much a one-horse race.

 

[stodge]

Part 2 of the Arc Day review and we kick off with the Opera for the fillies and mares over 2000m. BLUE ROSE CEN had been the dominant French 3-y-o filly winning the Pouliches and the Diane but she had a miserable run in the Nassau at Goodwood and was well held that day by AL HUSN (who re-opposed) and had found 2400m too far in the Vermeille.

She was local favourite but there was plenty of British support for AL HUSN while JANNAH ROSE had claims on her win in the Alec Head. Joseph O'Brien saddled LUMIERE ROCK who had run second to JANNAH ROSE that day before beating JACKIE OH convincingly in the Blandford over Irish Champions Weekend.

Prix de L'Opera: 

A race where it paid to sit handy - nothing came from off the pace as the leaders quickened off a steady early gallop. This seemed to suit JACKIE OH ideally and Ryan Moore must have thought he'd got the race won but Aurelien Lemaitre redeemed himself for his Goodwood disaster by producing BLUE ROSE CEN with a beautufully timed run to take the race in the final 100m. Whether this is as strong a piece of form as her Diane win I'm not certain but she is the top French 3-y-o filly this season.

The 3-y-o dominated taking the first three places - JACKIE OH ran a career best in defeat reversing Blandford form with LUMIERE ROCK who finished a close third in front of AL HUSN who just couldn't quicken off the slow early. The only one coming home from the rear was STATE OCCASION and in a bunch finish she was beaten two lengths in fifth. JANNAH ROSE didn't get the best of runs as the pace quickened.

The sprinters next in the Abbaye over 1000m - a full field of 18 and as usual a strong raiding party of British and Irish horses in a race which has often gone to a horse from the other side of the Manche (as the French call it). HIGHFIELD PRINCESS is arguably the most popular horse in training currently - it didn't go well for her in the Nunthorpe and she was disappointing in the Flying Five but her form looked the best on paper for all there was some promising 3-y-o in opposition though I'm not sure this was the strongest renewal of this race.

Prix de L'Abbaye de Longchamp: 

It's often a rough race with room at a premium - EQUILATERAL for example was always travelling but simply had nowhere to go - and while it's often said a low draw is a huge advantage, HIGHFIELD PRINCESS showed courage matters a whole lot more winning this from gate 14. She never looked comfortable but responded to every call from jockey Jason Hart and got up close home to keep out the 3-y-os PERDIKA and AESOP'S FABLES. 

To be fair, Mikael Barzalona did everything right on PERDIKA from the inside gate and she was certainly ahead 200m down but in the end she's a Listed/Group 3 type and HIGHFIELD PRINCESS is a Group 1 winner and they were meeting on levels. AESOP'S FABLES had run well as a juvenile but this was his best effort for some time - he came over from 15 with the winner so this was a highly creditable effort. GET AHEAD was the best of the older horses in fourth.

I'm not sure if the plan is to go back to America but HIGHFIELD PRINCESS was a highly creditable fourth in last year's Turf Sprint at Keeneland.

With no Group 1 at 1400m for older horses in the UK and Ireland, the Foret is a big race for these specialist types. KINROSS has dominated the division in Britain winning the Lennox and the City of York as well as a strong third in the July Cup. He held most of these on form and went off odds on to follow up his 2022 win.

Prix de la Foret: 

Arguably Frankie Dettori's best chance for a win on his final Arc day but in truth KINROSS probably didn't run up to his very best and he was outpointed by 28/1 outsider KELINA who was once fourth to BLUE ROSE CEN (see above) in the Pouliches but hadn't done much since. The drop of 200m in trip seemed to help or perhaps she's a spring/autumn filly. I assume KINROSS goes for the Breeders Cup Mile where he'll have every chance.

SHOULDHAVEBEENARING was second in the Sprint Trophy at Haydock and this was another strong Group 1 effort for a horse who has done a lot of racing this season.  POGO ran his beat for a while in fourth but SAUTERNE was disappointing and the returning 2022 Guineas winner CACHET failed to fire and beat only one home.

[stodge]

On then to the big one - Europe's Premier race - the Arc de Triomphe over 2400m and carrying a first prize of £2,528,000 so the richest race as well.

15 went to post and the favourite was the unbeaten French 3-y-o ACE IMPACT who had won the Jockey Club convincingly. Second in was King George winner HUKUM but the drying ground looked to have gone against him. Second at Ascot was WESTOVER who had previously won the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud. The German Derby winner FANTASTIC MOON and the English Leger winner CONTINUOUS were contenders along with Jockey Club runner up FEED THE FLAME and las tyear's Champion Stakes winner BAY BRIDGE.

THROUGH SEVEN SEAS was the Japanese challenger and he had chased home the mighty EQUINOX on his last start.

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe: 

A brilliant performance by ACE IMPACT - I didn't think he could cope with the top British older horses but I was completely wrong. Christian Demuro rode him as though he were a champion and on this evidence that's what he is - he did this incredibly well and if you want a champion 3-y-o you have one. 

WESTOVER loved the drying ground and did his level best of those who were up with the pace but this was, oddly enough, more like a typical French race with a steady early gallop allowing the closers to settle and then come from well back. Both ONESTO and THROUGH SEVEN SEAS  were out the back early (as was the winner) and the former ran on really well just failing to snatch second. 

You're just left thinking how EQUINOX would have got on against these - I suspect fairly well.

A great win for the relatively young sire Cracksman who stands at Dalham Hall Stud currently for 17,500 Euros (suspect this will increase).

Of the others, HUKUM was outpaced on the drying ground and BAY BRIDGE didn't quite get home. CONTINUOUS ran a solid race but that's as good as he is as this trip. FEED THE FLAME and FANTASTIC MOON never really got involved.

No news as yet on the winner's future - I suspect he'll go to the Haras du Rougemont for the 2024 breeding season much though I'd love him to stay in training next year. No news either on the second, WESTOVER, who has had an excellent campaign and could be even better as a 5-y-o. BAY BRIDGE will likely go for the Champion Stakes at Ascot.

 

[stodge]

The big news this week comes from the sales ring and the prestigous Book 1 of the Tattersalls Yearling Sales.

This is where the very best yearlings come for public viewing and for sale and the likes of Godolphin and Coolmore buy their future stars - these, remember, will be the 2-y-o in 2024.

The top lot so far is 266 - a colt by Frankel out of Bizarria who has gone for 2 million guineas to MV Magnier and White Birch Farm (basically Coolmore).

Godolphin went to 1.5 million guineas for a Blue Point colt and a Wootton Bassett colt went to MV Magnier for 1,250,000 guineas.

However, the froth of last year hasn't been repeated on Day 2 - 134 out of 160 sold for a total value of 35,599,000 guineas which is DOWN 28% on the 2022 equivalent.

The median is down only 3% but the average is down by 23%. 

The day one numbers were healthier with the median and average up. 

The final day session is tomorrow and I'll report on that.

 

 

[Ohokaman]

On 10/3/2023 at 10:47 AM, Ohokaman said:

More Europeans arriving down under Stodge. Interested in your comments on them.

 

Any comment ?
 

[stodge]

19 hours ago, Ohokaman said:

Any comment ?
 

They are an interesting bunch of mainly 3-y-o just below the very top.

LAND LEGEND - rated 100. Staying handicapper but lightly raced.

CANBERRA LEGEND - rated 104. Group 3 and Listed winner but limitations exposed in Group 2 company. Last in the Voltigeur on his latest effort.

GALERON - rated 108 - ran in both the English 2000 Guineas (fourth) and Irish 2000 Guineas (fifth). Hasn't really gone on from that but not exposed on quick ground.

BUCKAROO - 4-y-o rated 112 - ran in the Irish 2000 Guineas last year. Fourth in the Ispahan this season and a decent second in a Group 2 last time. Never run on ground quicker than Good.

JIMI HENDRIX - 4-y-o rated 111 - won the Hunt Cup at Ascot and third in the Group 2 Summer Mile. Disappointing at York last time.

ZOOLOGY - rated 110 - second in the Jersey to AGE OF KINGS but didn't do much in a Group 3 at Haydock last time.

NAILS MURPHY - rated 85 - only run four times and improving having won a fair handicap last time.

LIGHT INFANTRY - 4-y-o rated 116 - probably the best of these. Runner up in the Ispahan, third in both the Queen Anne and the Marois.

AGE OF KINGS - rated 109. Not seen since winning the Jersey at Ascot in June. Previously was well held in the Irish 2000 Guineas.

NEW ENDEAVOUR - rated 112 - runner up in the Hungerford over 1400m and on the upgrade.

COIN TOSS - ???? Can't find a horse by that name up here.

 

[stodge]

Two bits of news this evening - first, WESTOVER has been retired following his gallant second in the Arc last Sunday. An injury came to light on Tuesday morning. 

He raced 13 times for 4 wins and 6 seconds. He won over £3.3 million in win and place prize money. His two Group 1 wins were the 2022 Irish Derby and the 2023 Grand Prix de Saint Cloud.

Among his placed efforts were a third in the 2022 English Derby, second in the 2023 Sheema Classic as well as the runner up spot in the Coronation Cup, King George and Arc where he improved on his 2022 sixth placing.

In terms of prize money, he's Frankel's most successful son currently. In terms of ratings, he sits equal third with Derby winner Adayar behind MOSTAHDAF (heading for the Champion at Ascot) and Cracksman.

I imagine he'll join the stallion ranks at Banstead Manor Farm (Juddmonte's main stud farm in Britain).

Eight stand for Saturday's Group 1 Sun Chariot at Newmarket - the ground has eased slightly to Good, Good to Firm in places and it remains hard to look past INSPIRAL who was runner up in the Queen Anne and won the Jacques le Marois. Back among her own gender, she is preferred to MQSE DE SEVIGNE whose form is on slower ground.

[Ohokaman]

1 hour ago, stodge said:

They are an interesting bunch of mainly 3-y-o just below the very top.

LAND LEGEND - rated 100. Staying handicapper but lightly raced.

CANBERRA LEGEND - rated 104. Group 3 and Listed winner but limitations exposed in Group 2 company. Last in the Voltigeur on his latest effort.

GALERON - rated 108 - ran in both the English 2000 Guineas (fourth) and Irish 2000 Guineas (fifth). Hasn't really gone on from that but not exposed on quick ground.

BUCKAROO - 4-y-o rated 112 - ran in the Irish 2000 Guineas last year. Fourth in the Ispahan this season and a decent second in a Group 2 last time. Never run on ground quicker than Good.

JIMI HENDRIX - 4-y-o rated 111 - won the Hunt Cup at Ascot and third in the Group 2 Summer Mile. Disappointing at York last time.

ZOOLOGY - rated 110 - second in the Jersey to AGE OF KINGS but didn't do much in a Group 3 at Haydock last time.

NAILS MURPHY - rated 85 - only run four times and improving having won a fair handicap last time.

LIGHT INFANTRY - 4-y-o rated 116 - probably the best of these. Runner up in the Ispahan, third in both the Queen Anne and the Marois.

AGE OF KINGS - rated 109. Not seen since winning the Jersey at Ascot in June. Previously was well held in the Irish 2000 Guineas.

NEW ENDEAVOUR - rated 112 - runner up in the Hungerford over 1400m and on the upgrade.

COIN TOSS - ???? Can't find a horse by that name up here.

 

Coin Toss coming from Kranji. Singapore Guineas winner. 
Light Infantry one of the favourites for the King Charles behind Mr Brightside.

[stodge]

News from the third and final session of the Tattersalls October Book 1 Sale at Newmarket this evening.

Sheikha Hissa went to 1,600,000 guineas for the first foal of the Cheveley Park winner MIllisle - a daughter sired by Frankel.

A Frankel colt out of Materialistic consigned by Francesca Cumani's parents Fittocks Stud went to MV Magnier for 950,000 guineas.

Vendors spent a further 29.1 million guineas this evening meaning over 95 million has been paid out in the three days of the Book 1 sale but that's 25% down on the 126 million paid out in 2022.

For more information: Tattersalls Newmarket