Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes 2011

10.45 Keenland

Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes (Grade 1) (3yo+) (Turf) (3yo+) Winner £230,769

Advice: 1 pt win Zoffany (9/2 Hills)

Tajaaweed: Has improved in twelve months based on his Arlington handicap win (third in it last year behind Raystrada) but sixth in Arlington Million behind Cape Blanco and should find this too fast.

Sidney’s Candy: Disappointing when favourite for the Forego after wide margin win in Fourstardave Stakes, having been allowed to set an extremely slow pace before drawing away; Big threat as ever although question mark after run last time.

Dance And Dance: Seemingly only matter of time before he made transition to Group races after unlucky efforts in big handicaps but same story when stuck for an age on rail in Woodbine Mile latest; Real threat today if things go his way.

Zoffany: High class 2yo, fulfilling potential with hat trick of wins highlighted by his cosy Phoenix Stakes success, unsuited by heavy ground when third behind Pathfork in National Stakes; Creditable return (had fallen sick) behind Bewitched in Ballycorus Stakes and new career best when fast closing on Frankel (albeit very much flattered); Backed that up however when just losing out in three way go for French mile Group 1 and poor run in Maurice De Gheest should be forgiven as it came on soft ground and should do better here.

Gio Ponti: Absolutely top class, one of best turf horses in recent US Racing history; Possibly not as good as he was in 09’; Second to Goldikova in Breeders’ Cup Mile was cracking effort (best in field) & Dubai World Cup (behind Cape Blanco) was far too slowly run for him; Unable to give weight (7lbs) and big start over 10f to Mission Approved and then too back to catch Cape Blanco in Man O’War Stakes; Same story again in Arlington Million and while he should go well, one wonders if he’s got quite the toe for a mile these days.

Society’s Chairman: Rallied late for third in the King Edward Stakes having drawn the outside post, that after a solid effort behind Get Stormy (who had a fairly easy time of things upfront) in the Makers Mark Mile; Others preferred.

Wise Dan: Impressive when winning the Firetracker handicap on his first start on turf, having breezed on the surface little more than a month before; Another good win in Presque Isle Mile last time but this a step up from that.

Get Stormy: Winner of the Maker’s Mile and then the Woodford Reserve Turf Mile when  allowed to set a steady gallop, and nearly got away with it when trying to steal a march on Teaks North; Giving a lot of weight t subsequent Woodbine Mile winner Turallure; Interesting although he might not get the run in front he wants.

VERDICT: A fascinating renewal. Gio Ponti is still a force to be reckoned with but might want more than the mile if there’s not a fierce gallop on, a situation that would play greatly into the hands of Get Stormy, who has some very strong form from the front. Neither pace scenario of horses going too hard or too slow will bother ZOFFANY, who has a few temperamental issues but is a tempting price for a stable who are having a stronger season in the US than usual. The typically unlucky Dance And Dance should go close also.