Newmarket was the focus of attention on the week with the Rowley Course hosting nine Group races on Friday and Saturday. The Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes over 7 furlongs for two year olds on Saturday was the most anticipated, with the return of the highly regarded City Of Troy following a three month break. The exciting colt’s participation was in the balance with the advance going described as Soft. In the end connections felt he needed to take his chance despite ground conditions not being in his favour. Although 29mm of rain fell the previous day, the winning times stood up very well thanks to a fresh wind from behind the runners. The track looked to be riding 7.6 lengths per mile slower than standard on times, which was better than may have been anticipated. 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. City Of Troy (109) may not have recorded the best speed rating in the race when compared to previous winners, but the sectional times published by Coursetrack indicate a very smart performance. When assessing sectional times of race winning performances, we can get a better reflection of a horse’s ability when we compare like with like. In this case Native Trail’s (108) performance when winning the 2021 Dewhurst can be measured against the Aidan O’Brien trained two year old. The following table shows the merits of both performances taking into account my going allowance calculated on both days.
SF (Speed Figure); GA (Going Allowance in seconds per furlong); SECT TO 2F (Sectional Time to 2 Furlong Point); 2F TO FIN (Final 2 furlong Time); WGA (With Going Allowance)
| YEAR | HORSE | SF | GA | TIME | SECT TO 2F | 2F TO FIN | WGA | WGA |
| 2023 | City Of Troy | 109 | [+0.19] | 1.24.85 | [1.01.67] | [23.18] | [1.00.72] | [22.80] |
| 2021 | Native Trail | 108 | [+0.15] | 1.24.82 | [1.01.34] | [23.48] | [1.00.59] | [23.18] |
As we can see from the table above (using the final two columns when times have been adjusted), while reaching the 2 furlong pole (0.13) seconds later than Native Trail in 2021, City of Troy clocked a (0.38) seconds faster final 2 furlongs. It should be noted from the video that Native Trail was given a much harder race. Connections will have to be delighted with the performance considering better can be expected on a faster surface. Native Trail went into the winter as the 5/4 favourite for his 2000 Guineas, and only went down by 3/4 length to Coroebus. It all points to a very exciting winter ahead for Coolmore, and enthusiasts of the sport have a lot to look forward to next season. A sporting investment at double figure prices for the English 2000 Guineas, Epsom Derby and Doncaster St Leger Triple Crown may give followers of the colt (whose father completed the US equivalent) something to look forward to over the winter.
Highland Avenue (113) was the Staroftheclock on the day when taking the Earthlight Group 3 Darley Stakes over 9 furlongs by 4 lengths from Silver Sword. It has been a quiet time for the son of Dubawi since winning three races in succession in 2021, and finishing 1/2 length behind Mostahdaf at Sandown. The grey gelding was getting just rewards for providing the pace for more higher rated horses like Adayar this season.
Friday saw the track host five Group races, and Aidan O’Brien once again took the feature Group 1 Bet365 Fillies’ Mile for two year olds with Ylang Ylang (107) keeping on well to finish 1/2 length clear of Shuwari. The winner reversed form from the Rockfel, and looked to appreciate the softer conditions. Stamina would appear to be her forte, and next season’s Oaks should be well within her compass. Conditions worsened towards the end of the day which suited the Gary Moore trained filly Novus (110) who took the Group 3 Pride Stakes for older Fillies and Mares by 2 lengths from Veil Of Shadows. It was her first Group race win having started the season rated just (82), and connections will be looking out for more races when the mud is flying. Matilda Picotte (109) made all in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes over 7 furlongs backing up her all the way win in the Sceptre Stakes at Doncaster. Oisin Murphy has built up a nice rapport with her having been on board for both wins. The Breeders Cup remains a possibility, and there are also plenty of race that will suit in 2024.
Iresine (115) took the Group 2 Prix Du Conseil de Paris on Sunday at Longchamp by 1 length from the Andre Fabre trained Marquisat. It was a nice step forward for the 6 year old following his comeback run in the Prix Foy. The Japan Cup could be next on the agenda, although conditions may be a bit faster than ideal for connections.
Naas hosted two Listed races for Fillies and Mares on Sunday, and it was the Joseph O’Brien trained Dancing Tango (110) who was the Staroftheclock on the day in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Bluebell Stakes. With the ground advertised as Soft (Soft/Heavy in places) the daughter of Camelot came home 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Azazat, despite missing the break at the start. It was just reward following excellent placed efforts in similar grade at Saint Cloud and Clairefontaine. Connections have transformed the filly since acquiring her from Harry and Roger Charlton last season rated just (79). Curvature (106) made all for jockey Gary Carroll when taking the Garnet Listed Stakes by 1 3/4 lengths from Good Gracious, backing up her latest second place in similar grade at Listowel. It was a first Black Type win for the filly, and it will be interesting to see if she can take the step up to Group company.
My favourite winner of the week was the Noel Meade trained Luke Short (112) who came home 3 1/4 lengths clear of Kadeen in the final race at Dundalk on Friday, from the carpark draw in stall (17). It will be interesting to see what the handicapper makes of the (75) rated son of Sayif, who should still be comfortable with a new mark in the 80’s.
Till the next instalment,
Stay Lucky,
Graham