Doncaster - 3:20 (8th Sept 2005)
7f - GNER Park Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) 3yo+
Course Description
A galloping track, ideal for the big, long striding horse, and the powerful galloper. On the round course, the track turns to the left in a most accommodating, gently sweeping fashion. Since the draw on Doncaster’s straight course can prove crucial, it is imperative that a jockey is sufficiently experienced either to profit greatly from a favoured stalls position or to overcome a poor draw
Analysis
A competitive level weights group contest. On form lines though Majors Cast and Court Masterpiece the following have chances.
Sleeping Indian: recent Group 3 winner and 5th behind Proclamation in a group 1 event over 1 mile at Goodwood. Proven at this distance and no going concerns, holds Court Masterpiece on form when beating Majors Cast in the group 3 event.
Jack Sullivan: 2nd in Group 3 and Group 2 events but held by Court Masterpiece on form lines. Best results on all-weather tracks? Ridden by my least favourite jockey.
Court Masterpiece: Beat Majors Cast and Jack Sullivan for win in group 2 event at Goodwood. Beaten by Majors Cast over 8f in Group 2 event; drops back in trip. Carries a 4lb penalty for group 2 win.
With a 21% strike rate in the last 14 days, the Gosden trained Sleeping Indian gets the nod (1pt win). For added insurance and potential profit and I shall combine the horses named above in a £1 reverse forecast.
posted by Slipperytoad @ 9/08/2005 08:30:00 am
1 comments
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1 Comments:
Sleeping Indian was just beaten by a short head @ 7/4.
Racing Post Comments
A hard act to follow with this year's July Cup winner Pastoral Pursuits having landed this prize 12 months ago but there was plenty of strength in depth to this Group 2 contest, with most of the field having shown themselves capable of at least smart form at this trip, and the way the first two pulled clear in the latter stages - with the rest fairly well strung out behind - marks them out as high-class four-year-olds.
IFFRAAJ had promised to take high rank when beating subsequent Listed winner Beckermet to complete a hat-trick in the Wokingham Handicap in June and he may well have been suffering the effects of those exertions in the July Cup next time as he left that disappointing effort well behind here, travelling freely in a prominent position from the off, leading over a furlong out and rallying to regain the advantage in the last strides. This confirmed he is as effective at seven furlongs as he is at six furlongs and suggested he is well worth another crack at Group 1 company - provided he gets the top-of-the-ground conditions he needs.
Sleeping Indian confirmed his recent improvement with another fine effort, coming through to lead 1f out and going around a length up but just caught close home by the runner-up. There was no disgracein this defeat - only the second of his career - and he is certainly up to winning in this grade.
Court Masterpiece is a solid performer at this level and ran a good race under a 4lb penalty for his Lennox Stakes success, particularly as he stumbled slightly leaving the stalls, keeping on to take third close home.
Arakan faced stiffer opposition than when winning in Listed company at York and ran a good race in fourth, clear of Mac Love who raced keenly and travelled well for a long way on the stands' rail, shaping as though he should prove as effective at this trip as he is at a mile.
With Reason was quickly away and was soon switched to take the advantage of the stands' rail but could find no extra in the final furlong - this may have come too quick after his apparently promising comeback at Haydock five days earlier, though it is worth bearing in mind that he had the run of the race there. The unpenalised Quito had a decent chance at the weights on his best efforts but could manage only a respectable seventh, underlining the apparent strength of this form, as does the clear gap back to the hitherto in-form Jack Sullivan - albeit he was not helped by getting the worst of the draw.
Goldeva has yet to prove she stays this trip and also had something to find at the weights, as did Fox, and both were well held, as was Leitrim House who has yet to find his best form in 2005.
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