Yesterday’s Review
1pt e/way One Evening (107) – A race where the more than usual unpredictability of the fairer sex shone through. Having tipped up Grateful (110) for her last two races I decided to pass on her for this race considering her lack of enthusiasm for a battle last time out. A decision which Ryan Moore replicated having chosen Port Fairy. The selection couldn’t find an extra gear in the home straight despite being on the end of some minimal interference. The poor form of the Gosden stable was on display again, unfortunately.
Today’s Advice
Shin Emperor (12f Gp1) – The (3.20) Longchamp is the race most of the purists will be looking forward to today, and it looks to be one of the most competitive on offer as well. It is interesting that the favourite Los Angeles has been well backed following an eye-catching run in the Group 1 Champion Stakes at Leopardstown last month. To my eyes, the third place finisher Shin Emperor was even more noteworthy havng had an interrupted run in the home straight. Japan has been a real thoroughbred superpower the past few years, but this race has been one that has always eluded them. The haunting 2012 replay of Orfevre has been doing the rounds as usual this week on social media, and all horseracing enthusiasts feel the pain of our Japanese colleagues when watching this one. However, with the selection today Japan has a real chance of going one better considering that piece of Group 1 form at Leopardstown behind Economics is one of the strongest on offer. Shin Emperor is certainly bred for the job being a full brother to 2020 Arc winner Sotsass. A third place finish from a wide draw in the Japanese Derby last year was another fine effort on the Yoshito Yahagi trained colt’s record. Still unexposed over today’s distance the best may still be yet to come. Japanese jockey Ryusei Sakai is well known on the International scene having won at Meydan and Riyadh under Bathrat Leon in 2022 and 2023. We will be hoping for a trouble-free passage from stall eleven today for the Japanese hold-up performer.
1pt e/way Shin Emperor (13/2 general 4 places) 3.20 Longchamp