The Horse Racing Thread - Part 2

[sammy]

Unexposed and the first to go from a maiden win to Derby victory since Shaamit in 1996, Serpentine produced a remarkable effort to win the Derby by 5½L. By Galileo out of Oaks second Remember When he was bred to appreciate this test and was given a confident ride, unlike many of his opponents. Led from almost the off, ran with real enthusiasm to go clear after 4F, negotiated Tattenham Corner on wrong lead but switched soon after to sweep down the hill in what was the defining moment of the race, ridden over 2F out and kept on. Open to further progress and not one to underestimate.

Khalifa Sat was well positioned, travelled well and stuck to task when ridden entering straight, no impression on winner. Progressed again here and looks to have further to offer maybe when stepped up in trip. Gordon Stakes or Great Voltigeur possible next assignments.

Amhran Na Bhfiann is another bred for this type of distance and took a big step forward on just his third outing. Settled in 3rd just after start, off the bridle from a long way out, driven 4F out and stuck on well to outrun his odds. Still learning and may do better still.

Kamenko went into this with clearly the best form in the race with the only question mark being his stamina or lack of it. Upped markedly in distance he took a keen hold as he chased the leaders early, settled in touch, effort entering the straight, not quicken and never on terms despite plugging on. The fact he couldn't pick up the placed pair would suggest the stamina test was just too much, I posted previously that in a normal year he would have likely headed to the Eclipse and reportedly be targeted at the International Stakes over 10F at York.

English King was drawn in stall 1 and not much went his way after diving left leaving the stalls. He was held up and found himself short of room on the home turn, put in some decent splits to keep on well in the final furlong and was nearest at the finish. Remains open to improvement with Grand Prix de Paris over 12F reportedly his next assignment. St Leger possible option as season progresses.

Jockey booking, odds and general vibes from Aiden pointed to Mogul as being stables leading candidate. Waited with from stall 2, didn't settle fully, ridden in straight and stayed on from 2F out. A step forward albeit unsuited by the way the race developed, capable of better, also note that he carried his head slightly awkwardly in home straight.

Russian Emperor was up in trip but failed to build on promising RA run. Held up, didn't settle fully before ridden on home turn, never on terms. Never really got involved here in a race not run to suit, remains capable of better.

Irish 2000 Gns runner up Vatican City had stamina doubts coming into this, upped markedly in trip he looked ill at ease on this course. Held up, didn't fully settle and hung left when ridden in straight and to his credit plugged on. Remains with potential when dropped back in trip.

[sammy]

Love was the clear form pick and duly landed her third G1 with a mightily impressive display. Settled off the pace, made good headway entering the straight, led 2F out, went clear and stayed on strongly. This battle hardened filly progressed again for a marked step up in trip to produce one of the best performances in this race since the turn of the century. Will go on improving, Irish Oaks/King George/ Leger for triple crown bid or Arc, a danger where ever she goes particularly when in receipt of mares allowance. Gutted I couldn't witness her in the flesh.

Ennistymon reversed Ribblesdale form with Frankly Darling and despite having no chance with the winner progressed again looking well suited to the 12F trip. Made her move early to lead briefly at the 2F marker, stayed on. Maybe capable off better still, leading candidate for Irish Oaks if Love goes elsewhere.

Frankly Darling looked ill at ease from an early stage, racing off the pace and despite being off the bridle before most of her rivals kept on well final 2F. Failed to improve here but chances are she'll likely be at home on a more conventional track so remains capable of better.

[sammy]

Ghaiyyath confirmed he's developed into a top class colt with a step forward following Coronation Cup victory last month. Soon led and travelling well before being shaken up at 2F mark, stayed on well to land his third G1. His ability to churn out fast fractions in a relentless gallop puts even the best to the test and was ridden here to play to his strengths making the most of his fitness & stamina. Be nice to see a rematch with Enable in the King George although he does have options including the International Stakes over 10F at York so may have to wait until the Arc.

Enable only 85% fit according to trainer but managed to run to a similar level when she won this last term. Waited with and shaken up over 3F out, kept on but no impression on winner. Entitled to come on for this run and it should put her in top shape for King George.

Japan ran as if he needed it when 4th in the Prince of Wales's Stakes and stepped up on that effort here staying on without quickening. High class performer, return to 12F will benefit him and King George next obvious target.

[sammy]

Ante post fav Franconia non runner in Musidora

Gosden said: "I scoped Franconia on Tuesday morning after she gave a cough at exercise and we got the results back this morning which showed she had a mucus issue so we had to take her out.

https://www.racingpost.com/news/latest/ ... ope/441297

[sammy]

Minor novice event won by Darian over 10F at Newbury yesterday evening. Only a steady gallop, travelled smoothly to lead over 2F out and kept on well under hands & heels, impressive. Nice pedigree, by Dubawi, brother to Too Darn Hot & Lah Ti Dar, open to significant improvement and an exciting prospect that looks ready for a step up to higher grade company.

[sammy]

Windsor Castle v Coventry form in up to spec renewal of G2 July Stakes over 6F at HQ yesterday. Windsor Castle coming out on top with the one two from there filling the same places. Tactical took the step up in class & distance in his stride, waited with, shaken up over 2F, quickened to lead final furlong. Gave the impression there's more to come here and G1 Prix Morny reportedly next assignment.

Runner up Yazaman had to play second fiddle to winner again but this was still a step up and looked suited by extra furlong. Shaken up over 2F, led over 1F out, kept on without quickening. Should have more to offer.

Escape Route with just the one run under his belt acquitted himself well despite his inexperience. Up markedly in grade and over 6F for first time he was handy from the start, travelled well but ran green when shaken up 2F out before staying on to take third near line. Will progress further.

Coventry winner Qaader disappointed here with a change of tactics that saw him attempt to make the running. He travelled well enough but found little when headed inside final furlong, the going may also have been a bit easier than he liked so willing to give him a pass here.

[sammy]

Regarding Windsor Castle form, the third that day Muker landed a good novice event over 5F at York yesterday under a penalty. Travelled strongly, went on over 1F, was being closed on final 100 yds but always getting there under hands & heels. Note that the time was quicker than in the earlier fillies Listed event despite Muker carry 11lb more. Remains open to improvement and something like the Molecomb should suit.

[sammy]

Possible Prix Jean Prat target for Pinatubo

https://www.irishracing.com/news?headli ... rid=209574

Drop back to 7F.

Pinatubo confirmed runner in Prix Jean Prat on Sunday

Runners & riders
Molatham Jim Crowley
Wooded Christophe Soumillon
Alson Pierre-Charles Boudot
Lope Y Fernandez Ioritz Mendizabal
Pinatubo William Buick
Well Of Wisdom James Doyle
Kenway Theo Bachelot
Arizona Ryan Moore
Kinross Harry Bentley
Malotru Andrea Atzeni
Tropbeau Mickael Barzalona

https://www.racingpost.com/news/latest ... lle/441624

[sammy]

Good weekends racing. Maiden & novice events of interest.

Decent novice event over 7F at Ascot
Jumby won in this in good style, travelled well and quickened to lead over 1F out to land this comfortably. Looks an above average type and sure to progress. Huddleton Mac was ridden over 2F out and ran on late, should improve on this and looks up to landing something similar. New Mandate has already been gelded but showed some level of ability here finishing clear of the remainder, pushed along over 2F out, no extra late on. Will improve for this and should be of interest going forward. Time Interval was slowly into stride and held up until pushed along over 2F out, kept on well under kind ride. Open to improvement.

[sammy]

This looked a nice novice event over 1M at HQ.
Godolphin had six runners in this with Stunning Beauty coming out top here with an easy victory. Knew her job on debut, travelled well, shaken up 2F out, led 1F out and quickened clear. Lovely pedigree and looked useful here although note she was reportedly a bit lively in the prelims & wore hood in paddock. Capable of better again. Watched Declaring Love last term in early season maiden when given gentle introduction over 6F. Confirmed promise here with the step up to 1M suiting although no match for the winner. Run of the mill maiden/novice should be attainable on this evidence, remains with potential. Piranesi was slowly into stride and held up, switched 2F out and kept on to be nearest at the finish. Ran green for a long way before getting hang of things, already gelded, looks sure to progress from this. Polar Appeal was reportedly green & coltish in prelims. Ridden to make the most of his draw in stall one he attempted to make all, headed 1F out and no extra. Scopey sort who should stay 10F, should improve on this.

[sammy]

Only an ordinary Novice event over 6F 213yds at Salisbury.
Francesco Guardi got up to land this after initially being held up and running green, switched 2F out, penny dropped and stayed on to lead final strides. Nice pedigree and sure to progress.

[sammy]

Some depth to this Novice event over 6F 213yds at Salisbury.
Well bred and well backed fav Tinker Toy made winning debut here. Travelled strongly, produced to lead over 1F out and quickened clear, impressive. Open to significant improvement on this evidence. Fresh Snow slowly into stride and held up, headway over 2F out and stayed on. Nice pedigree and promising debut, looks sure to progress from this. American Entente had a poor draw and was dropped out from the start, took keen hold before headway over 2F out and stayed on to take third. Tongue tied, better to come. Fair Praise not given a hard time when effort flattened out, capable of better.

[sammy]

Division II of Novice event over 6F 213yds at Salisbury was quicker overall than above Div I.
Baashir showed promise on Haydock debut last month and followed up here with a nice display. Made all and quickened clear 1F out for a comfortable win, bred to be smart, one to keep the right side of. Desert Destination shaped well on debut and will have learnt from this, poorly positioned and headway over 2F out, ran on. Well bred and should do better. Sycamore displayed some ability from a poor draw and likely to improve from this.

[sammy]

On to the Group races.
More or less up to standard renewal of G2 Superlative Stakes over 7F at HQ.

Master Of The Seas took a big step forward from comfortable debut win to land this G2 event. Held up and travelled well, headway over 2F out, led over 1F out and kept on well. Looks an exciting prospect and reportedly heading to National Stakes where stablemates Quorto and Pinatubo were both successful. Devious Company put on a decent display to follow two previous maiden/novice wins, up in grade travelled well, led under 3F out and kept on after headed 1F out, no chance with winner. Useful performance and could progress again over further. Seventh Kingdom ran green on debut win and once again showed signs of greeness here. Off the bridle for much of this and only picked up when switched to rail, kept on well inside final furlong, nearest finish. A step up on debut and this trip looks his minimum, should stay at least 1M.

[sammy]

Summer Mile Stakes G2 7F 213yds
Mohaather endured a luckless passage in G1 Queen Anne at Royal Ascot last time out. Class apart here down in grade, travelled well before quickening to lead 1F out, drew clear. Won easily here and capable of holding his own back in G1 company over 1M. Sussex Stakes next.