Petingo wrote: ↑Fri Jun 12, 2020 12:56 pm
What do you make of Wichita’s chances of reversing the Guineas placincings if Kameko goes back to miling, Sam?
I think he has a chance as Frankie rode the race to beat Pinnitubo and Oisin was able to capitalise on it.
Hi Pet,
Wichita didn't get the most efficient ride in terms of energy distribution. He was front rank without any cover and sectionals confirm Dettori made his move in the fastest part of the race (around 3F mark) so with a more conservative ride he would have finished closer.
Oisin on Kameko judged things perfectly and was very brave to sit off Pinatubo & Wichita as they made there move, he did hit some traffic and went right on the run in so there's a case to be made that he could have won by a bigger margin had he kept a straight line.
Both nice animals and as usual it's the little details that decide the outcome when horses are closely matched. Wichita perfectly capable of reversing the placings given the right conditions.
We'll get a chance to see how the form holds up with Wichita & Pinatubo clashing in the St James’s Palace Stakes next week at RA.
I wonder will the lads be tempted to run Anthony Van Dyck.
I don’t know if a Derby winner has ever gone on to win the Gold Cup....but it is just the type of challenge Mr. Magnier and co. relish.
Was staying on nicely in last weeks Coronation but think they'll stick with 10F/12F. Unlikely to jeopardize stud career by upping him to extreme distances.
Siskin a very impressive winner of the Irish 2000 Guineas.
Everyone is praising Colm Keane for the ride but I thought he got very lucky a gap appeared when it did...even at that he had to barge his way out to get a tun,
Interesting the difference in opinion on Heffernan’s ride on Lope y Fernandez.
He kicked on and cut acriss, hoping to prevent Siskin getting a gap. Kevin Burke thought it was a bad ride......Ruby said it was a good move
Sam, I thought Vatican City stayed on well.
Could he be Ballydoyle’s main Derby hope?
Alex Young, Howard Kendall, Andy King, Timmy Cahill, Dixie Dean and Mike Parry.....we'll never see the likes of them again.
Petingo wrote: ↑Sat Jun 13, 2020 12:46 pm
Siskin a very impressive winner of the Irish 2000 Guineas.
Everyone is praising Colm Keane for the ride but I thought he got very lucky a gap appeared when it did...even at that he had to barge his way out to get a tun,
Interesting the difference in opinion on Heffernan’s ride on Lope y Fernandez.
He kicked on and cut acriss, hoping to prevent Siskin getting a gap. Kevin Burke thought it was a bad ride......Ruby said it was a good move
Sam, I thought Vatican City stayed on well.
Could he be Ballydoyle’s main Derby hope?
Fantastic race which got a bit rough at business end. No problem with the Ballydoyle runners tactically surrounding Siskin and making life as hard as possible, equally no problem with Keane responding by forcefully making racing room for his mount. You have to have the horse underneath you to pull off that kind of manoeuvre and Siskin was well up to the task when finding daylight recording a 11.86 final furlong sectional. Quite remarkable given the nature of the race didn't allow him to get to his top speed striding values, as you say, a very impressive performance. Heads for the Sussex next.
One take out of the race imo was Monarch Of Egypt, travelling as well as the winner before hitting a wall of horses and still finished off well.
Vatican City was one off the less exposed in the race and took the step up in class well, had the gaps came for him he would have finished closer to the winner. Could be wrong but don't think he figures high in Derby plans, 10F should be within his remit but 12F may be stretching it, will go on improving and certainly be of interest wherever he turns up next.
Always tricky fathoming Aiden's Derby pecking order, even more this year with the lack of racing. As things currently stand I'd suggest theses four.
Mogul
Progressed nicely last term, pick of his four runs the G2 Champions Juvenile Stakes win at Leopardstown. Not disgraced finishing 4th behind Kameko in the Futurity on final outing given he was stuck out on the wing and the 1M would have been sharp enough for him. Bred for middle distances and sure to improve in that sphere, goes in the King Edward VII Stakes on Tues at RA.
Innisfree
Took big step up in class after his maiden win when landing the G2 Beresford Stakes at the Curragh (a race Aiden regularly targets for classic hopefuls) displaying a good attitude in heavy conditions to edge ahead close home. Put in another pleasing display when 2nd behind Kameko in the Futurity on final outing, just lacking the gears to trouble the winner. With a middle distance pedigree he's another that will appreciate the step up, reportedly had minor set back which may mean he'll go straight to his next assignment without a prep.
Arthur's Kingdom
Took three attempts to his break his maiden last term (all over 1M) before showing plenty of improvement when stepped up in class & distance in G1 Criterium De St Cloud over 10F on final outing. Stayed on well to take 2nd in heavy conditions and giving the overall impression he was capable of better over further. Closely related to Joshua Tree and half brother to Stencive, 12F will be no problem, goes in the King Edward VII Stakes on Tues at RA.
Armory
Was busy last term with 7 outings, the pick being mid season back to back wins in G3 Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown & G2 Futurity Stakes at the Curragh, both over 7F. Bumped into Pinatubo next twice in G1 National Stakes & G1 Jean-Luc Lagardere, ran with credit giving the impression he'd be the type to do better as a 3yo. Shortest priced of the Ballydoyle runners in Irish 2k, ran up to pick of his juvenile form but lacked necessary gears to get himself out of trouble before finishing off well. Step up in trip sure suit and remains capable of better.
Ribblesdale Stakes G2 1M 3F 211yds Frankly Darling confirmed promise of her maiden win, stepped up in class & distance was value for several more lengths, raced freely off a steady early gallop and carried head to one side but still learning, more improvement to come. On track for Oaks. Miss Yoda didn't settle fully and failed to reproduce Oaks Trial form from 11 days earlier, possible that race took more out of her than appeared at the time.
Hampton Court Stakes G3 1M 1F 212yds First Receiver took another marked step forward up in grade, led briefly final 100 yds before keeping on despite edging right. Reportedly heading for Derby although dam side suggests far from certain to see out 12F. Berlin Tango went down by under 2L carrying a 4lb penalty following his win in Classic Trial at Kempton. Further improvement here and traveled fluenty before no extra in final 100 yds. Will stay at 10F and heads for Dante next.
Windsor Castle Stakes Listed 5F Mighty Gurkha dropped to 5F in Windsor Castle rather than staying at 6F for Coventry, came up a bit short here although coped with the drop in trip. Holds entry for Weatherby Super Sprint next month. Tactical confirmed promise of unlucky debut run behind Eye Of Heaven making the most of stand side draw to win with a bit in hand, should improve again. Get It put in a promising run given he was poorly drawn in stall 1, hung left inside final furlong before finishing 4th, also holds entry for Weatherby Super Sprint.
Chesham Stakes Listed 7F Modern News disappointed in what looked a decent Chesham, possibly quick turnaround and good to soft going playing a part.
Norfolk Stakes G2 5F The Lir Jet put in a smart performance to land what looked a solid Norfolk renewal. Stayed on well to land the spoils by a neck, 6F should suit on this evidence and open to further improvement. Eye Of Heaven proved disappointing on this softer going particularly as Tactical had stamped the maiden form with a win in the Windsor Castle earlier in the week. Has it all too prove now.
Coventry Stakes G2 6F
Trio of disappointments in sub standard Coventry. Creative Force failed to live up to promising debut, sitting up with early strong pace doing him no favours. Lauded also had too much use made of him although travelled well, he remains open to improvement. Admiral Nelson was sent off fav and slowly into stride, held up and no response when asked for effort 2F out. Maiden was only 8 days previous so maybe this came too soon, remains open to improvement.
St James's Palace Stakes G1 7F 213yds
Turned out to be a messy affair early on before the principles knuckled down to business in the straight. Palace Pier was forced wide entering the straight and when asked for effort 2F out quickened to lead inside final furlong to land this cosily in the end. High class colt in the making beating Guineas placed pair Wichita & Pinatubo fair & square. Looks to have plenty more to offer and obvious leading contender in all the top 1M races.
Military March ruled out of Investec Derby after injury setback
"Military March has had a setback but it's not a major problem. He'll miss the Derby and we'll give him a bit of a break now. He's going to come back at the end of September for an autumn campaign. It was something that happened a few days ago so we were monitoring that. There's no major damage which is the good thing, but unfortunately he'll miss Epsom next week."
Sub standard renewal with nearly half the field maidens and no overseas contingent. Royal Ascot Queens Vase winner Santiago didn't have to improve that much to land this, coped well with the drop back in trip to gamely land the spoils by a head. Obvious Leger candidate but interesting interview with Aiden on Racing TV earlier today regarding Epsom Derby and Santiago, “It’s very possible (those that ran in Irish Derby could run at Epsom). I spoke to John (Magnier), Michael (Tabor) and Derrick (Smith), the entries are made on Monday so we’ll see what everybody thinks today and tomorrow whether they decide to make an entry or not. If any of them come out of the race exceptionally well and they want to make an entry, that’s what will happen. They didn’t do much today, they’ll do a canter tomorrow and a decision will be made some time during the morning."
Been such an unorthodox season I suppose anythings possible.
On just his third visit to the racecourse runner up Tiger Moth stepped up in class & trip to run a cracker pushing the winner all way to the line. Open to further improvement, the Great Voltigeur could suit for next assignment.
Dawn Patrol had finished just behind Tiger Moth in 10F maiden at Leopardstown on reappearence and would have got closer to the leading pair if hadn't been denied clear run at a vital stage. Forced wide he made up a lot of ground to stay on strongly for third. Looks sure to progress from this.
Arthur's Kingdom disappointed finishing in ninth place. First time headgear applied, missed the break, off the bridle long way out and comfortably held when meeting interference 2F out, not given hard time thereafter. Maybe came to soon after fairly hard race in King Edward VII Stakes at RA.
