Goodwood - 3.25 (29 July 2005)
1m - totesport Mile (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) 3yo+
Course Description
A right-handed track with severe undulations. Unsuited to the big long striding animal. Small, handy types, who can keep good balance galloping downhill, have the advantage.
Effect of the Draw
A high draw is generally an advantage on fast ground. Middle to high on soft ground. The last eight winners of this race were all up with the pace. Hold up horses need not apply!
Analysis
Only 1 winning favourite in the 18 year history of this race, Cesare is a lay in my book.
With 5 entries want makes you think Mark Johnston wants to land the spoils. His record in handicaps at Goodwood is unsurpassed so the focus of my attention is with his charges.
Given the draw, the Johnston horses to consider (with the correct pace profile) are Elliott’s World and Nero’s Return (½ point win). Nero’s Return has already run once at Goodwood this week which is a concern. However, he has the historical age advantage (3yo’s have a poor record in this race) over Elliott’s World who is nailed on for a place position.
Unfortunately this is another split stakes race with the selection of Helm Bank (½ point win). 4th in a key race at Sandown last time out and on historical stats (age, weight) he forms part of my two against the field.
posted by Slipperytoad @ 7/29/2005 09:41:00 am
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The line-up was typical for this rich handicap, and while not breakneck, there was a strong enough pace to record a most respectable time with the frontrunning Love Palace and Vicious Knight dropping right away.
Although it resulted in a bunched finish with under two lengths covering the first six, there were surprisingly few hard-luck stories, although again racing wide midtrack did not look the place to be with the ground still fresher near the inside rail.
UNSHAKABLE had given notice of areturn to form last time at the Newmarket July meeting after two unusually tame efforts at the start of this season and with his rating easing back into the 80s - a pound below his last winning mark - he improved on his never-nearer tenth in the race last year on quicker ground off a 7lb higher mark. Cut in the ground looks to be important to him and while he has struggled with a rating in the 90s, he has acquitted himself well on easier ground including when winning his side's race in last year's Cambridgeshire and still only finishing fifth. He can hardly be hiked for this narrow win and if getting his preferred conditions has another big win in him and a Cambridgeshire would be poetic justice.
Crosspeace nearly became only the third three-year-old winner of this race in 15 runnings. He even took a keen hold early getting tightened up but vitally got a good pitch and momentarily looked like mowing down the winner. He had looked plenty high enough in the ratings and any rise for this will almosttip him towards Listed contests - he already has a host of Group 3 entries and his trainer has done well with similar sorts on the European pattern circuit.
Cesare may be a year older but he did not look as battle hardened. He was niggled along and outpaced on straightening up and was only hitting top stride inside the final furlong, suggesting he could do with another furlong or two now. He also looks just the sort for the Cambridgeshire.
Elliots World got a dream run through on the faster ground up the inside rail but could not take advantage. He momentarily took a clear lead over two furlongs out but was again reeled.
Former Lincoln winner Babodana, back in handicap company after making the frame in Group races, ran a belter under his huge weight. He was not helped by a single-figure draw but came to have every chance over a furlong out until the weight told but he was not beaten far.
Stablemate St Petersburg, under 24 hours after a fine win over 7f here, was a shadeunlucky. He travelled noticeably well tucked away on the inside rail but had to switch wide to get a run before staying on better than anything from the pack.
Helm Bank was unlucky in running but did benefit from having the faster ground as he hugged the inside rail. That tactic caused his downfall in that he had to sit and suffer with nowhere to go midway up the straight. He kept on well when in the clear again and remains in top form ready to win a good prize.
Impeller, runner-up in this last year, has arguably run just as well this time around. He was forced to attack wider out and kept inching closer without landing a telling blow.
Cape Fear and Kamanda Laugh were the other two lowest drawn, who were severly handicapped by that.
Nero's Return had a good draw but could not take advantage being left at the back and he too switched wide off the home turn and could not land a blow.
Kings Point ran better than his placing, considering the ground had gone against him over a trip that stretches him. This six- and seven-furlong winner was bang there into the final two furlongs before weakening quickly.
Go Padero was reported lame behind by the vet.BJ
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