Royal Ascot Review 2011 Day 2

Day 2 was the most forgettable of the week for me, if nothing but for the fact that all of my horses got beaten, but don’t let it take away from several eye-catchers, a brave young 2yo, and one of the finest rides ever given to a horse at the meeting.

The Jersey Stakes this year was a particularly good renewal that brought together form-lines involving everything from Classics to handicaps & Strong Suit  bounced back to his best after surgery to correct a breathing problem, explaining some rather lacklustre efforts including a well beaten miles – last – of –five in the Greenham on his seasonal debut. Benefitting from another astute ride from Richard Hughes, who always had him set to pass Utley and once he did the result was not in doubt.

This was some performance to hold off a bunch of decent colts under a hefty penalty and given how highly his connections rated him he’s more than worth a crack in Group 1 company as his forms as a 2yo has more than worked itself out and the Prix Jean Prat has to be high on the agenda given that the home team’s crop for the race (more on that below) looks dire.

Codemaster was second but more than confirmed the impression he made at Newmarket when running onto be a brave, if not relatively green second trying to make ground up on the winner. He ran like this is if he’s as good as he is and hung just a little from at least a furlong out.  Western Aristocrat, who wasn’t able to go the gallop early, was the major eyecatchers of the race for many although he was slightly faltered by his proximity to the winner at the line although he’ll be picking up Group races. Oracle’s a consistent but exposed horse while Splash Point had a penalty to deal with so could never get into it.

A knowledgeable tweeter that I’ve had many discussions with was quick to tell me that this was the worst French 3yo colt crop he’d seen for sometimes and it seems that he’s been proven right by the awful performances of those to race since the French Guineas. Havane Smoker might be forgiven this performance but still he was a major disappointment.

The Windsor Forest had a strong look to it although there was every chance that the race would prove trappy and that’s how it worked out. That said, I wouldn’t be quick to dismiss the performance of Lolly For Dolly, who looked like she’d be taking a hand in Group 1 races just a couple of seasons ago.

A tough and admirable filly, three of her 5 wins have the word soft in the description and the rain that had arrived played it’s part. Her connections have lined up a crack at the Marton Stakes and she’ll give the 3yos something to think about although it remains to be seen how she does on a quick surface.  The second, Chachamaidee, is now putting in career best after career best and ran a game race in her hood (which has worked wonders for her of late) while First City ran through beaten horses under a jockey who suited her perfectly and appeals as one to back at similar prices in big races with vulnerable market leaders for a place.

Sajahaa was the only one of the big three market leaders to run any sort of race, having led the centre group before merging. She travelled well enough but was always vulnerable and passed rather easily, leaving her progression in a little doubt. I’m A Dreamer ran well below her Newmarket form, while Music Show isn’t the filly at 4 she was at three, and Seta, who I fancied to run so well, just actually isn’t good enough at this level.

The Prince Of Wales’s Stakes might as well have been a one horse race with So You Think, the antipoedan import and greatest middle distance Australian of the last 3 decades, according to the media.

An easy winner against overmatched rivals on his first two starts, he came here a 4-11 shot for his first proper test in Europe. To emphasise the quality of the race he was facing a Prix Ganay winner (Planteur), a Sheema Classic winner (Rewilding), a 3 – Time Group 1 winner in Twice Over and a multiple Group winner in Sri Putra. If that wasn’t enough, the O’Brien team ran a Group 1 winner (Jan Vermeer) as a pacemaker.

Many’s first impression when So You Think was nailed on the line by Rewilding was initial shock, before the excuses went flying around. Many Australians were furious at the Coolmore team for having him “undercooked”& “ruining him”, spurred on by O’Brien’s admittal that he hadn’t had the horse at peak fitness.

Even given his excuses, this was a masterful performance by not only Rewilding but his jockey Frankie Dettori, who gave one of the finest rides seen in the race for years. Always behind early, Rewilding settled far better than So You Think and was one of the first to come off the bridle round the turn, behind but never too far behind So You Think that he couldn’t catch him. He (the horse) required an exceptional amount of rousting in the stretch but responded in exceptionally game fashion all the way up the stretch and got there in such time that even if So You Think had more to give, he had no time to respond.  Where ever he goes he will take some catching and the King George + Arc are more than suitable targets, although Ballydoyle have more than enough to throw at him.

Whatever people say, while So You Think is clearly a champion but also a beatable one, which is nothing to be ashamed of. All trainers, jockeys and horses will have off days and today was probably one for all of team Coolmore, not to mention the horse himself if O’Brien (who for all his hype is one of the most knowledgeable trainers of the modern era) is to be believed.

He raced very keenly early and took quite a while to settle which was no surprise given that the pacemaker got away from them, making it two separate races.  Yet despite this, they posted a time 1.27 secs faster than standard on ground which had been rain softened the previous day + night.

Despite getting beaten on the day, So You Think showed what he’s all about with an impressive burst from the field that had all but Rewilding beaten and he was infront a fair distance (at least a length and a quarter upwards nearly all the way up the straight) until caught by not only a horse that stayed the distance but a horse that was well and truly capable of running to a high 120’s figure (122+ RPR for his Sheema Classic win underrates him) and it was not a result to be ashamed of, with an inspired Dettori.

The fact that Sri Putra was 6 lengths back in third and well held gives the form and more than solid look (backed up by a blistering pace and time) while Planteur, a class act and track record holder for the Ganay, was also safely held. The latter was disappointing and it’s to be hoped he shows his true form although there’s nothing for him at all this year after this (seeing as 10f on quick ground is what he needs to show his true worth).

Many afterwards also slammed the use of the pacemaker. However racing differs all around the world in many ways & just because that’s the case it doesn’t mean it’s wrong. In the US, you can watch a claimer at Hollywood Park where there could be 3 or more horses doing the same thing that Jan Vermeer did and it’s just accepted. The same is true of the Preakness and other Triple Crown/Grade 1 races in America but nobody raises and eyebrow, and where was this outrage when Flash Dance ran in the Queen Anne and then took on Cape Blanco?

The Hunt Cup was the betting race of the week for many and it wasn’t the worst renewal for punters with Julienas backed at each/way prices and going off as short as 12/1, and the well backed favourite Dance & Dance getting a place. From my point of view it was a poor race for me with Start Right disappointing, although he was trapped out rather wide (just like at Epsom) of a large group of horses  and his run just petered out when it looked like he was going to be placed. Mont Agel got shafted by the draw.

The Queen Mary was one of the races of the week from a battling perspective. Shumoos was agonisingly close to winning but couldn’t get to Best Terms, in a race where it paid to be midfield, which explains the drab shows of Dozy & Somasch who could never go the pace, and On The Dark Side, who battled with Gypsy Robin for the lead.

Richard Hughes & the Hannon team suggested that the Lowther (now called the Cheveley Park Stakes) would be a good target although it’s to be hoped that the runner up or third don’t reoppose over trips that would suit them far better. She’s small and probably unlikely to stay 7f but is the youngest from the field so can hold her own at the level.  Shumoos has run with credit, although probably got a little outpaced and had to concede the winner first run, although some will have been disappointed by the result given the regard in which she was held and while she should pick up a Group race on this evidence where is not easy to find out. The third Caledonia Lady is obviously going to make short work of a maiden and is a fascinating horse to watch for the rest of the season if not a limiter for the form in the eyes of some.  Fire Lily ran another creditable race when making plies of ground late on to be best at the finish and is another who should be picking up a Group race this year.

The Sandringham handicap will be remembered by many racing fans for the debut victory and near – defining moment for the Richard Kingscote / Tom Dascombe team after a very up – and – down last 12 months which tested their soon to be rewarded partnership with Michael Owen.

She never really got an easy trip, having been well behind early before being switched wide by a cool Richard Kingscote and eventually winning with quite a lot in hand. This meant a huge amount to one of racing’s fastest growing stable and the winner has options of stepping up into group class, having beaten a progressive sort with plenty in hand. The second Dubai Queen did well and has landed the black type that her pedigree demands – being a half sister to Dubawi – Although whether she’ll do any better than this is open to debate.

Winter’s Night (the only selection placed all day) ran another game race but the real eyecather was the returning to form Cape Dollar, who travelled much like her usual self and was making a move when blocked 2f out, and would have taken a big hand in the finish had she not been unfortunately blocked at that time. If her connections keep her in handicap company she’ll win a big race off what can only be a dropping mark.

HIGHLIGHT – On a day where there weren’t really too many for yours truly, it has to go to all involved in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes. Epic battles like that make a meeting. 

LOWLIGHT – Purely from a personal viewpoint despite the brave race that So You Think ran in the feature his Eclipse (yes I do know how ironic that sounds now) was a major disappointment not only for those who backed him but for all who were watching overseas and it’s to be hoped he bounces back (if he could do such a thing) from this defeat, which would surely see him pass the 130 RPR mark this year. That aside, the disappointment of Seta wasn’t easy to handle, while Shumoos, even in brave defeat, might not have lived up to the reputation she had gained from her easy win.