Nineteen and Septimus
September 15th 2008 07:43
Septimus (starting at 1/3) provided Aidan O’Brien with Group One win number nineteen this season with an emphatic 13 length victory in the Group One Irish St Leger at the Curragh. In the process he also provided Aidan O’Brien with a clean sweep of all five Irish classic races in the one season - equalling the record of Jack Rogers who in 1935 also saddled up the winners of the Irish 1,000 Guineas; Irish 2,000 Guineas; Irish Derby; Irish Oaks and Irish St Leger.
Strangely enough - this being the first Group One win for Septimus - the actual class of the field was far inferior to many of the lesser Group Races he has already won. His stablemate New Zealand at 40/1 finished closest after he and the third Ballydoyle entry Mikhail Fokine set the pace. In fact they settled one, two, and (Septimus) three before jockey Heffernan could hold Septimus no more and he cleared out for a ridiculously easy win. Unfortunately Jane Chapple-Hyam’s Yellowstone pulled up sore and will not contest this year’s Melbourne Cup.
As impressive as Septimus was on this occasion must be tempered by the fact that New Zealand only won his maiden at his last start before the St Leger.
Septimus was already weighted for the Melbourne Cup as if he were a Group One winner (weighted as the best stayer in the UK at this time) and he will not be re-handicapped for the Melbourne Cup.
"While Septimus was visually very impressive on Saturday in winning by 13 lengths, given the level of opposition the performance does not warrant a penalty for the Emirates Melbourne Cup."
“The runner up, New Zealand, had won a maiden at Killarney at his previous run after being soundly beaten in maiden company at his two previous starts this season. The third placegetter Red Moloney was beaten 13 lengths in a Listed Race at his previous outing and is yet to win a race at Group level,” - Greg Carpenter chief handicapper Racing Victoria.
There is still a possibility that Septimus will run in France in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in preference to Melbourne. The decision on quarantine requirements will help decide.
"It's great for Ballydoyle and the whole team,"
"Melbourne is a definite possibility but he is in the Arc as well. We will just see what happens over the next few days." - Aidan O’Brien.
Septimus is now heading all Melbourne Cup markets.
Perhaps Septimus should head to Melbourne - if for no other reason than to avoid Zarkava in the Arc. She returned to racing in the Prix Vermeille at Longchamp on the weekend and in her usual manner settled at the rear of the field before going through her gears and charging home down the centre of the track for an easy win.
Melbourne Cup (Sportingbet):
Septimus $6.00
Efficient $7.00
Tuesday Joy $13.00
Littorio $14.00
Weekend Hussler $16.00
Guillotine $17.00
Septimus
Strangely enough - this being the first Group One win for Septimus - the actual class of the field was far inferior to many of the lesser Group Races he has already won. His stablemate New Zealand at 40/1 finished closest after he and the third Ballydoyle entry Mikhail Fokine set the pace. In fact they settled one, two, and (Septimus) three before jockey Heffernan could hold Septimus no more and he cleared out for a ridiculously easy win. Unfortunately Jane Chapple-Hyam’s Yellowstone pulled up sore and will not contest this year’s Melbourne Cup.
As impressive as Septimus was on this occasion must be tempered by the fact that New Zealand only won his maiden at his last start before the St Leger.
Septimus was already weighted for the Melbourne Cup as if he were a Group One winner (weighted as the best stayer in the UK at this time) and he will not be re-handicapped for the Melbourne Cup.
"While Septimus was visually very impressive on Saturday in winning by 13 lengths, given the level of opposition the performance does not warrant a penalty for the Emirates Melbourne Cup."
“The runner up, New Zealand, had won a maiden at Killarney at his previous run after being soundly beaten in maiden company at his two previous starts this season. The third placegetter Red Moloney was beaten 13 lengths in a Listed Race at his previous outing and is yet to win a race at Group level,” - Greg Carpenter chief handicapper Racing Victoria.
There is still a possibility that Septimus will run in France in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in preference to Melbourne. The decision on quarantine requirements will help decide.
"It's great for Ballydoyle and the whole team,"
"Melbourne is a definite possibility but he is in the Arc as well. We will just see what happens over the next few days." - Aidan O’Brien.
Septimus is now heading all Melbourne Cup markets.
Perhaps Septimus should head to Melbourne - if for no other reason than to avoid Zarkava in the Arc. She returned to racing in the Prix Vermeille at Longchamp on the weekend and in her usual manner settled at the rear of the field before going through her gears and charging home down the centre of the track for an easy win.
Melbourne Cup (Sportingbet):
Septimus $6.00
Efficient $7.00
Tuesday Joy $13.00
Littorio $14.00
Weekend Hussler $16.00
Guillotine $17.00
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