York (16th Aug 2005)
Course Description
A left handed, flat, galloping course, this track takes some getting. Its negotiation involves a fairly gruelling test of stamina, especially if there is some juice in the ground. It is for resolute, courageous types who relish a struggle so this course is Ideal for the big, powerful galloper. Especially one that likes to race prominently
Analysis
Normal service is resumed on the classier races at York.
2.30 Gr2 Daily Telegraph Great Voltigeur Stakes Colts & Geldings (1) 1m4f
On all from, The Geezer (1pt win) is the standout selection. With a credible 3rd in the York Gr2 King Edward Vii Stakes after his Derby exploits, he subsequently went on to land the spoils in The Gordon Stakes at Goodwood. All these races have one thing in common. They are key races for the St Ledger. The Voltigeur is another and if The Geezer wins then the 7/1 Ante-post I’ve secured will look pretty good Wednesday morning.
3.05 Gr1 Juddmonte International Stakes (1) 1m2f88y
Ace (1 pt win)! This is a race for 10f specialists and as noted by all Ace did not stay 1m4f Gr1 King George Vi And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Newbury so the drop in trip will suit. But distance is not the trait required to win this race. Pace is the key. I expect the front running New Morning will try and make all given her profile. However, the filly verses colts stats are not in her favour.
Given Ace’s pace profile and ridden by the king of pace judgement (Mr Fallon), the others will be given a torrid time as they try and make up ground on a course that suits front-runners.
posted by Slipperytoad @ 8/15/2005 10:02:00 pm
3 comments
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3 Comments:
You got a great blog going here, your course details are especially informative
2:30 The Geezer was 2nd @ 6/4
Racing Post Comments
Not an obviously vintage running of a race which has been contested by the last four St Leger winners, with none of the four more exposed contenders having looked worthy successors to the likes of Bandari or Rule Of Law, let alone real top-notchers such as Powerscourt and Fantastic Light who are also on the recent roll of honour. But it also featured two very lightly-raced colts who were open to considerable improvement, including HARD TOP who made a successful step up from Lingfield maiden victory to Pattern races with a last-gap success. He looked a three-year-old who will benefit from the extra 2 1/2f in the St Leger at Doncaster, where the long straight will also be in his favour, as he stayed on strongly under pressure to lead close home. There is also plenty more improvement to come from him after only three runs - but there will need to be if he is to frighten ante-post favourite Scorpion in the final Classic.
Gordon Stakes winner The Geezer ooked set for another victory when he went to the front 3f out and was ridden to go two or three lengths clear, only to tie up slightly inside the final 1f and get caught close home. He was in front plenty soon enough and this ground may well not have suited him as much as the soft surface at Goodwood - he flashed his tail and was less than entirely impressive in victory on top-of-the-ground at Haydock last month and is likely to need give underfoot to be seen to best advantage in the Leger.
Scorpion's trainer Aidan O'Brien has a fair understudyfor the race in Avalon, who shaped as though a longer trip would suit as he was niggled at at halfway and looked set to drop out as he was under pressure in rear off the home turn but stayed on well to take third place. He was understandably still green, having run only once in a Curragh maiden previously, and is another with considerable potential for improvement.
Kong had been given a decent break since his inexplicable flop in the Derby and threatened to get competitive when he moved into second place 2f out here but he could find only one pace thereafter - he has yet to confirm the promise of his Lingfield Derby Trial win.
Brahminy Kite led briefly over 3f out but was outpaced from there and disappointed, though he narrowly got the better of stable-companion and pace-setter Melrose Avenue, who veered right after 2 1/2f and also appeared to lose concentration down the back straight - he is one to be wary of on this evidence
3:05 Ace was 4th @ 9/4
Racing Post Comments
Not the strongest International field assembled by any means, with no established stars from England, Ireland and France and not a single three-year-old facing the starter. That said, the fascination of this event was the coming together of Japan's Horseof the Year in 2004, Zenno Rob Roy and ELECTROCUTIONIST, winner of five of his six races in Italy, who made it three-from-three for the year here with a thoroughly committed display of relentless galloping. A horse who had made the running in the past, he was dropped-in here and was still last turning for home. Gradually wound-up by Mick Kinane, after the field switched to race down the centre of the course in the straight, he did nothing quickly, but reached top gear entering the final furlong and staying on best of all, he got his head in front in the dying strides to win in a blanket finish. A return to 12 furlongs would, on this evidence, suit him even better, and the plan now is to go for the Arc. But he will find much tougher opposition there, plus underfoot conditions could well be against this top-of-the-ground performer.
Zenno Rob Roy, a quality-looking racehorse, who looked on excellent terms with himself beforehand, tracked the leaders. Niggled along turning for home, he took time to respond to harder driving in the straight. Switched to launch his final challenge entering the final furlong, he looked like winning for a stride or two, but the winner overhauled him late to pinch the prize near the line. He looks as though this trip is a minimum for him and this was a creditable effort, with only one preparatory race under his belt. Where he goes from here remains to be seen, but there will be no penalty-kicks awaiting this five-year-old entire at this level.
Maraahel, who had not won beyond Group 3 level, seemed to appreciate coming back in trip after seemingly being outstayed by Bandari in the Hardwicke on this course, travelled well and did nothing wrong in defeat, battling on well in the closing stages, only to lose out in a bobbing finish.
Ace, who appeared not to stay in the King George, was given an attacking ride over this shorter trip. Setting a decent gallop, he went for home as soon as he straightened-up and kept galloping all the way to the line. This was asolid performance, but, as it turned out, his bold tactics served it up to others, most notably the first two, who needed this to be a thorough test of stamina.
Norse Dancer, runner-up in this race last season, and also in the King George last time, and seeking his long-awaited first Group 1 win, threatened to make a real impression as he thew down his challenge approaching the final furlong, but he was unable to sustain his effort right to the line and faded towards the finish. Doyen, who looked warm and light behind the saddle beforehand, had every chance, but tended to hang under pressure as he faded tamely. New Morning had plenty on her plate and, unable to dominate, was in trouble a fair way from home.
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