A quiet week on the Group 1 programme with just the Sun Chariot Stakes over the mile at Newmarket taking centre stage. As always with the speed ratings (117) represents Group 1 Par, and each step down the Class ladder is a drop of 2 points (2 lengths per mile). I will insert the speed rating after the horse’s name. With the ground advertised as Good To Firm (Good)(Watered)(7.2) at Newmarket on Saturday, there looked to be no excuses when it came to conditions. A fresh wind (half behind) may have made the winning times a bit faster, and it appeared from the times that the track was riding about 3.5 lengths per mile faster than standard. The betting appeared to have the market correct for the big race with 10/11 favourite Inspiral finishing ahead of 100/30 second favourite Mqse De Sevigne. In the end Inspiral (111) had a relatively easy race with the French challenger 3 3/4 lengths behind, and not at her best, on the fastest going she had encountered yet. The winner may take in the QEII or The Breeders Cup, if her owner decides to let her take in her fifth run of the season. Interestingly, it was Frankie Dettori’s 500th win achieved at both Newmarket tracks, and the final season tour continues this week at headquarters in the Group 1 Bet365 Fillies Mile.
Ascot staged a two day meeting on Friday and Saturday with the latter providing two Group 3 events in the shape of the Cumberland Lodge Stakes over 11f 211y, and the Bengough Stakes over 6f. The going was described as Good (Round: 6.2)(Straight: 7.2) with a slight headwind. Conditions appeared to be slowing down the times by 11 lengths per mile on both tracks. The Karl Burke trained Al Qareem (113) ran to par in securing his second Group race in the Cumberland Lodge by 3/4 length from Israr, adding to his previous Group 2 win in the Qatar Prix Chaudenay over the extended 15f at Longchamp last October. The runner up looked a little unlucky not to hang on for the win after leading over a furlong out and hitting (1.02) in running, only to be worried out of it at the finish by the winner who relishes a battle.
The Mick Appleby trained Annaf (110) took the second Group 3 of the day over 6f by a short head from Commanche Falls. It was an excellent performance from both horse and jockey Rossa Ryan who had to switch from the stands rail to get a clear run. It was just rewards for the winner who was recording his first Group win following some consistent performances in many Group races this season.
Friday’s card was described as Good (Good To Soft places on the Round Course)(Round:6.2)(Straight:7.0) with a slight headwind. Winning times looked to be around 10 lengths per mile slow on the Round Course, and 13.3 lengths per mile slow on the Straight Course. The John & Thady Gosden trained Middle Earth (111) took the feature Noel Murless Listed Stakes race over the extended 14f, reversing form from the St Leger with Chesspiece. It was a career best performance on the clock, and the best could still to be seen next year from this lightly raced colt.
An eight race card was staged at The Curragh on Saturday with the Group 3 Staffordstown Stud Stakes for 2yo fillies over a mile the feature on the day. The ground was advertised as Soft, and times on the Round Course were 33 lengths per mile slower than standard, with the Straight Course slightly faster at 29.3 lengths per mile slow. The Aidan O’Brien trained Content (103) took the feature race managing to reverse form with 11/10 favourite Kitty Rose from the previous month at Leopardstown on Good ground over the extended seven furlongs.
The Fozzie Stack trained Aussie Girl (114) was the Staroftheclock on the day making all to take the 6f Listed event by 1 3/4 lengths from Pinafore. It was a well deserved first Black Type win for the filly, having not been out of the first four places in her last three attempts in similar grade. No fancy entries have been put in place yet, but she has shown herself to be ground versatile and effective from an extended five furlongs up to seven furlongs.
Redcar also staged an eight race card on Saturday with two Listed races on the bill. The ground was described as Good, and the times on the Straight Course were just 2.5 lengths per mile slower than standard. The Clive Cox trained Dragon Leader (116) took the William Hill Two Year Old Trophy Listed race over 5f 217y by 3 lengths from Works Of Art. It was a notable performance on the clock, and connections will have to be thinking about Group races eventually.
The Kevin Phillipart De Foy trained Vafortino (114) took the Guisborough Listed Stakes over 7f by a nose from Ramazan despite being denied a clear run repeatedly. It was a first run back in 70 days following a disappointing effort in the International Stakes at Ascot in July. It was just rewards for some excellent placed efforts in handicaps earlier in the season. Despite no fancy entries, a step up to Group Class should be considered going forward with an apparent preference for give in the ground.
Dundalk on Friday also staged two Listed races, both for two year olds, with the Ger Lyons trained Pipsy (112) taking the first of them over five furlongs. A drop back from 6f proved no problem, and the 2yo filly made most of the running from a wide draw to finish 1 1/2 lengths ahead of the Aidan O’Brien trained recent C&D winner Alabama. Aidan took the other Listed event over 7f with Mountain Bear (112) who recorded a career best on the clock on his sand debut. The colt holds an entry in the Dewhurst, and it will be interesting to see if this can be reproduced back on Turf.
The performance of the week on the clock came in the last race at Ascot on Saturday when the Julie Camacho trained Badri (121) took a 5f Class 2 Handicap by 3/4 length giving 20lbs to the Rod Millman trained Woolhampton. This was just his third start for his current trainer, and he has shown in the past that Listed and Group races are within his compass going forward having recorded a (118) speed rating at Epsom this summer.
Occasionally speed rating compilers can get labelled “time bores” by some, and while many of us may go overboard with our ratings, myself and my learned colleague Will Lattimore always say they are “just a guide” in the selection process. Occasionally though a little surprise may pop up, and I was tickled pink last week after the Michael Mulvany trained Fratas won at Navan. It reminded me of the following paragraph I wrote in my Galway Festival Review column at the end of July:
” The Jessie Harrington trained filly Youcrackmeup (112) recorded the biggest performance on the clock on Day 1 when taking the (60-90) Handicap for 3 year olds. The final time was 8 lengths faster than Par, and the first five home should be kept a close eye on. Indeed, the third placed finisher Fratas (106) has already come out and won the Arthur Guinness Handicap on Friday.”
I have inserted below the following screenshot from the excellent “SINCE” option in the Raceform Interactive Database showing the following efforts from the first five horses home that day at Galway. The speed ratings can be seen in the first light blue column in the second table.
As we all know this sport can be a grind at the best of times, and whatever your process for selecting winners, my advice would be to believe in yourself, and enjoy the little moments when you get it right.
Till the next instalment,
Stay Lucky,
Graham