A Stoute Workforce
July 23rd 2010 05:15
Brilliant Epsom Derby winner Workforce makes his much anticipated return to the racetrack this coming Saturday in the Group One King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (1 1/2 miles) at Ascot.
(photo: sportinglife.com)
The Sir Michael Stoute trained King’s Best colt has been installed as a short-priced favourite on the merit of his record-smashing victory in the Epsom Derby - an emphatic victory not only in the 7 length margin to the second placegetter At First Sight, but also when measured in the absolute fact of time. Seeing may not always be believing, and we can be deceived by factors of quality (depth), tempo, or even hyperbole pre or post race from a stable. But time measures. It is a constant value - and in shaving nearly one second off the previous record for the mile and a half record at Epsom Downs we are presented with a fact to sit alongside our opinion.
And yet - for having said all of this - Workforce will be confronted with a major task as he races to beat perhaps the best assembled field in recent history to contest the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
The assembled field includes Dar Re Mi (G1 Dubai Sheema Classic); Cape Blanco (G1 Irish Derby); Youmzain (the bridesmaid of Group One racing: twice placed in The King George & Queen Elizabeth, in addition to his three placings in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe); and Daryakana (G1 Hong Kong Vase).
But perhaps the greatest danger to Workforce may come from his own yard. Stablemate Harbinger is unbeaten in three starts this season and comes into the race off a 3 1/2 length win in the Group Two Hardwicke Stakes at his last start. Ryan Moore was aboard for the Hardwicke, but has opted to ride Workforce in the King George. The Stoute yard also have engaged Group Three winner Confront who is the likely pacemaker. With a slashing track record to his credit it would seem that the quicker the tempo the better for Workforce.
In 2009 Sir Michael Stoute won the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes with his (then) 4 year old Conduit.
A few things to consider:
Cape Blanco is the only horse to defeat Workforce - defeating him by 3 1/4 lengths in the Group Two Dante Stakes.
In the past decade only two 3 year olds have been able to win the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes: Alamshar in 2003; and Galileo in 2001.
The next 3 year old to win was Lammtarra in 1995 coming off a record-breaking win in the Epsom Derby. The record that Workforce has just broken.
Expected odds:
Evens Workforce
5/2 Harbinger
6/1 Cape Blanco
12/1 Youmzain
14/1 Dar Re Mi, Daryakana
200/1 Confront
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes recent winners:
2009 Conduit
2008 Duke Of Marmalade
2007 Dylan Thomas
2006 Hurricane Run
2005 Azamour
2004 Doyen
2003 Alamshar
2002 Golan
2001 Galileo
2000 Montjeu
Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore
(photo: sportinglife.com)
The Sir Michael Stoute trained King’s Best colt has been installed as a short-priced favourite on the merit of his record-smashing victory in the Epsom Derby - an emphatic victory not only in the 7 length margin to the second placegetter At First Sight, but also when measured in the absolute fact of time. Seeing may not always be believing, and we can be deceived by factors of quality (depth), tempo, or even hyperbole pre or post race from a stable. But time measures. It is a constant value - and in shaving nearly one second off the previous record for the mile and a half record at Epsom Downs we are presented with a fact to sit alongside our opinion.
And yet - for having said all of this - Workforce will be confronted with a major task as he races to beat perhaps the best assembled field in recent history to contest the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
The assembled field includes Dar Re Mi (G1 Dubai Sheema Classic); Cape Blanco (G1 Irish Derby); Youmzain (the bridesmaid of Group One racing: twice placed in The King George & Queen Elizabeth, in addition to his three placings in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe); and Daryakana (G1 Hong Kong Vase).
But perhaps the greatest danger to Workforce may come from his own yard. Stablemate Harbinger is unbeaten in three starts this season and comes into the race off a 3 1/2 length win in the Group Two Hardwicke Stakes at his last start. Ryan Moore was aboard for the Hardwicke, but has opted to ride Workforce in the King George. The Stoute yard also have engaged Group Three winner Confront who is the likely pacemaker. With a slashing track record to his credit it would seem that the quicker the tempo the better for Workforce.
In 2009 Sir Michael Stoute won the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes with his (then) 4 year old Conduit.
A few things to consider:
Cape Blanco is the only horse to defeat Workforce - defeating him by 3 1/4 lengths in the Group Two Dante Stakes.
In the past decade only two 3 year olds have been able to win the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes: Alamshar in 2003; and Galileo in 2001.
The next 3 year old to win was Lammtarra in 1995 coming off a record-breaking win in the Epsom Derby. The record that Workforce has just broken.
Expected odds:
Evens Workforce
5/2 Harbinger
6/1 Cape Blanco
12/1 Youmzain
14/1 Dar Re Mi, Daryakana
200/1 Confront
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes recent winners:
2009 Conduit
2008 Duke Of Marmalade
2007 Dylan Thomas
2006 Hurricane Run
2005 Azamour
2004 Doyen
2003 Alamshar
2002 Golan
2001 Galileo
2000 Montjeu
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