Royal Ascot Review
June 18th 2008 07:02
Haradasun produced the result that Coolmore had wished for with a Group One win in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot. His Australian Group performances were probably not enough to make him as popular in the northern hemisphere (as he shuttles to and fro) as he would be in Australia. But now - after a Group One victory in England - that all changes.
There had been some talk of him continuing a European campaign until July, then returning for his first season (at $55,000) in Australia. Immediately retired now - and no surprise. Why race again and possibly (possibly) tarnish a great performance with a poor follow-up effort? Nothing is certain, and to retire on such a high note is advisable (logical and good business-sense). But if he had finished second, then another try would have been most likely.
If only we could run pacemakers in Australia! My business is based on assessing and disclosing the best speed performance of horses; but tempo can interfere with any race and nullify the best in favour of the bestridden. Off a different tempo and the French mare Darjina probably wins. (Haradasun) Brilliantly ridden by Johnny Murtagh who used the pacemakers to perfection to make it a true test while placing Haradsun in a position of advantage. Murtagh was given a three-day ban for his use of the whip on Haradasun. But this was an important race for all concerned and I am sure his efforts to ensure this win will not go without reward.
A Spanish sprinter. Sounds like a small-engined imported car. But no, this was a horse who started life and racing in Spain and went on to win a feature sprinting event at Group One in England. Equiano gained a (surprising) soft lead over the 1000m, and although Takeover Target (as he always will) kept coming at him, the tempo and weight difference allowed Equiano (at $22.00) to hang on. Magnus disappointed at his final start, but that can be expected from stallions at any time. I still believe that he will make a good stallion prospect. The boom English filly Fleeting Spirit charged home for a close (and closing) third. Surprised she did not use the blistering pace she has shown previously.
(photo: Getty Images)
Henrythenavigator won the Group One St James's Palace Stakes for Aidan O'Brien and Johnny Murtagh, making it two Group One victories for the pair from the first three races on the program. Relishing the firm ground he broke the track record and confirmed his status as champion 3yo miler. Wonder if he could have won an Epsom Derby, given similar firm ground? We'll eventually get the chance to see him over a mile and a half (I suppose. But he is such an outstanding miler the temptation is to limit him to his greatest attribute - with maybe 2000m as the stretch. But I would like to see him try a staying trip at least once). This time Murtagh was in trouble with a rein fumble, but his horse so good that he compensated for pilot error. This time: Henry the navigator.
End of day one and we have three Australian representatives contributing to a Group One win; and a Group One second. By my estimation an excellent day's work and great advertisement for our horses. Wouldn't you love to see Apache Cat and Weekend Hussler there next year! Trouble is that our prizemoney is so lucrative that unless you have an entire with a stud career looming, travel to the other side of the world is not the great attraction it should be. But for us racing enthusiasts it is fantastic.
Today (tonight for us) Luca Cumani is running Bankable in the Royal Hunt Cup. Luca is considering bringing this lightly raced and rapidly improving 4 yo to Melbourne, with the Cox Plate being considered as a possible assignment. Dominates betting in this race. Well worth watching.
replay of The King's Stand Stakes 2008:
There had been some talk of him continuing a European campaign until July, then returning for his first season (at $55,000) in Australia. Immediately retired now - and no surprise. Why race again and possibly (possibly) tarnish a great performance with a poor follow-up effort? Nothing is certain, and to retire on such a high note is advisable (logical and good business-sense). But if he had finished second, then another try would have been most likely.
If only we could run pacemakers in Australia! My business is based on assessing and disclosing the best speed performance of horses; but tempo can interfere with any race and nullify the best in favour of the bestridden. Off a different tempo and the French mare Darjina probably wins. (Haradasun) Brilliantly ridden by Johnny Murtagh who used the pacemakers to perfection to make it a true test while placing Haradsun in a position of advantage. Murtagh was given a three-day ban for his use of the whip on Haradasun. But this was an important race for all concerned and I am sure his efforts to ensure this win will not go without reward.
A Spanish sprinter. Sounds like a small-engined imported car. But no, this was a horse who started life and racing in Spain and went on to win a feature sprinting event at Group One in England. Equiano gained a (surprising) soft lead over the 1000m, and although Takeover Target (as he always will) kept coming at him, the tempo and weight difference allowed Equiano (at $22.00) to hang on. Magnus disappointed at his final start, but that can be expected from stallions at any time. I still believe that he will make a good stallion prospect. The boom English filly Fleeting Spirit charged home for a close (and closing) third. Surprised she did not use the blistering pace she has shown previously.
Takeover Target just fails in King's Stand Stakes
(photo: Getty Images)
Henrythenavigator won the Group One St James's Palace Stakes for Aidan O'Brien and Johnny Murtagh, making it two Group One victories for the pair from the first three races on the program. Relishing the firm ground he broke the track record and confirmed his status as champion 3yo miler. Wonder if he could have won an Epsom Derby, given similar firm ground? We'll eventually get the chance to see him over a mile and a half (I suppose. But he is such an outstanding miler the temptation is to limit him to his greatest attribute - with maybe 2000m as the stretch. But I would like to see him try a staying trip at least once). This time Murtagh was in trouble with a rein fumble, but his horse so good that he compensated for pilot error. This time: Henry the navigator.
End of day one and we have three Australian representatives contributing to a Group One win; and a Group One second. By my estimation an excellent day's work and great advertisement for our horses. Wouldn't you love to see Apache Cat and Weekend Hussler there next year! Trouble is that our prizemoney is so lucrative that unless you have an entire with a stud career looming, travel to the other side of the world is not the great attraction it should be. But for us racing enthusiasts it is fantastic.
Today (tonight for us) Luca Cumani is running Bankable in the Royal Hunt Cup. Luca is considering bringing this lightly raced and rapidly improving 4 yo to Melbourne, with the Cox Plate being considered as a possible assignment. Dominates betting in this race. Well worth watching.
replay of The King's Stand Stakes 2008:
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