Superfectablog v3.0 » Finsceal Beo

Royal Ascot: Day 1

admin — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:45:00 +0000

Royal Ascot opened today with a gritty win for Haradasun in the Queen Anne Stakes; although passed by two horses, he battled back at the end to claim victory. Darjina and Finsceal Beo were second and third (although both encountered traffic trouble) — and both Johnny Murtagh and Kevin Manning picked up bans for excessive whipping (aboard Haradasun) and careless riding (on Finsceal Beo), so the race was not entirely without controversy. While both fillies will likely point toward the Falmouth Stakes in July, it would seem that Coolmore has decided that Haradasun will begin his new career as soon as possible (one presumes the $40 million they paid for a 50% share, making him the most expensive racehorse in Australian history, may have a little something to do with that).

Henrythenavigator (pictured, with Johnny Murtagh) also performed as expected, even setting a new track record in the process, in the St James’s Palace Stakes — so it cannot be said that Aiden O’Brien is having a bad day, even if he only got to send Haradasun out twice before his retirement. Raven’s Pass (who is being campaigned toward the Breeders’ Cup Mile) finished second and Twice Over managed third. O’Brien further suggested that Henrythenavigator is the ‘best miler he’s ever had‘ — so much for George Washington!

Takeover Target ran a game race in the King’s Stand Stakes but could not catch the winner — Spanish entry Equiano, who was sent off as a 22-1 long shot (although I would hasten to point out that he was mentioned here yesterday). Filly Fleeting Spirit, the favorite, managed to get up for third. Takeover Target will get one more shot at Royal Ascot glory on Saturday — he’ll try to add the Golden Jubilee Stakes to his impressive resume. It will be no easy task, however — Kiwi mare Seachange, who will be the first New Zealand-bred and trained horse to run at Royal Ascot, may be a longshot, but she was tough in Dubai and could be a factor. Fleeting Spirit is entered as well, and Sakhee’s Secret looks tough. Former US sprinter Diabolical is also entered. Even if he opts to skip the Golden Jubilee, it seems that we may get to see more of Takeover Target later in the year back in Australia – and possibly next year at age 10.

Art Connoisseur remained unbeaten in the Coventry Stakes, and Missoula won the Ascot Cup.

Tomorrow’s highlights include the Prince of Wales’s Stakes; Duke of Marmalade, Literato, Sixties Icon and Ask seem like the ones to watch.

Yeats could make history on Thursday if he wins his third Ascot Gold Cup in a row…check back tomorrow for more on his effort and the rest of the day’s action from Royal Ascot.

A small postscript: if you’re looking to get Curlin at a price, you can 16-1 on him in the Arc — the LA Times writes that the Breeders’ Cup is not even on the table…

Royal Ascot Week

admin — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:55:00 +0000

Royal Ascot‘s opening day is Tuesday, starting things off with the Queen Anne Stakes — for those new to Royal Ascot, the race is for 4-year-olds and up over a mile. Haradasun (pictured), the Australian son of Fusaichi Pegasus (and half-brother to champion Elvstroem), will shortly be retiring to stud, so this race will be a last chance to see him. This is no walkover, however (even though he has a rabbit in Honoured Guest) – top fillies Darjina and Finsceal Beo will certainly make him work for any victory, as will hard-knocking 7-year-old Cesare who keeps just missing out on Group 1 victories.

The British leg of the Global Sprint Challenge is the King’s Stand Stakes (3 year-olds and up over 5 furlongs) which offers an opportunity for Takeover Target to cement his reputation; fellow Aussie Magnus is also in the mix — this will be his final race meet before heading off to stud. South Africa and Spain are also represented in the race by the mare National Colour and Equiano (a 3-year-old French-bred colt), respectively. Locally-trained entrants include Kingsgate Native (who won against older horses as a 2-year-old in the Nunthorpe) and Godolphin’s Abraham Lincoln, a 4-year old by Danehill. Fleeting Spirit, last year’s outstanding 2-year-old filly, will also be heavily favored.

Henrythenavigator (who skipped the Derby due to the soft ground) stars in the St James’s Palace Stakes (3-year-olds, 1 mile); his main competition should come from Rio de la Plata (if he is fit – he was reported to be a little sore after the French 2000 Guineas) and Falco (the French 2000 Guineas winner) — North American readers may be interested to know both colts are US-bred.

The Coventry Stakes (2-year-olds, 6 furlongs) is a bit more of a shot in the dark but Peter Tchaikovsky (by Dansili, so carrying that strong Hasili blood) has a win so far and Art Connoisseur is being touted as one to watch.

The Ascot Stakes itself is one of a sort we rarely see carded in the US; it’s a 2 mile and 4 furlong handicap race for 4-year-olds and up. I am leaning toward the German-bred mare Power of Future (largely because German-breds seem to want to run all day).

The Windsor Castle Stakes (2-year-olds, 5 furlongs) is another opportunity to see future stars in the making; Brae Hill and the filly Moss Likely seem like solid choices, although given the large field, anything can happen.

If, indeed, Curlin does head to the Arc, some of his toughest competition will be on show during the next week — so set your TiVos now.

Dubai World Cup Day Wrap-Up

admin — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:39:00 +0000

Curlin was hardly only horse running in Dubai (although it certainly seemed like it by the time he took to the track); now you, lucky reader, can play the exciting new game called ‘Did Superfecta Mention the Winner?’

Godolphin Mile
Rick Dutrow’s Very Good Day began early; Diamond Stripes was certainly a worthy victor, but Elusive Warning had a terrible trip. I don’t think he would have beaten Diamond Stripes, but it was likely not what his connections were hoping for. Still a nice paycheck, though.
Winner mentioned? Yes.

UAE Derby
I was right that Honour Devil and Royal Vintage would be sequential; what is perhaps most interesting is that while many of Mike de Kock’s horses are off to Hong Kong and then the UK, Honour Devil will be heading to the US and aimed at the Breeders’ Cup — some sources say for the Classic, others for the Dirt Mile. Royal Vintage is to come along as well so that they can continue their back-and-forth victories. Cocoa Beach proved capable against the boys as well, a very creditable third.
Winner mentioned? Yes, should have bet a tri box.

Dubai Golden Shaheen
Dutrow and Edgar Prado strike again; assistant trainer Michelle Nevin must have been thrilled to be in Dubai with Benny the Bull (even if it meant missing out on the big event back in Florida). Idiot Proof ran a good race as well, but it seemed that Diabolical just didn’t show up. Cobalt Blue might shine in G2 company in the states, but was apparently very much outclassed.
Winner mentioned? Yes, albeit along with no-threat Calrissian.

Dubai Duty Free
Poor Jay Peg is saddled with one of the worst names I’ve ever heard for a horse, but despite his jockey nearly losing his saddle and a tough challenge from Darjina (who was apparently ‘at 85%‘ for this race), he goes down in history as a winner on Dubai World Cup day. Archipenko seemed boxed in and was probably the best horse in the race, but couldn’t quite prove it; I’ll be looking out for his next start. Vodka and Finsceal Beo didn’t quite have it on the day, and the distance might have been a little much for Seachange. I was still very pleased to see all of them in one race. American challenger Notional had nothing.
Winner mentioned? Ha! No, just had Darjina.

Dubai Sheema Classic
This was my second-favorite race on the card, obviously finishing a bit behind the feature race. The Australian-bred, South African-based mare Sun Classique schooled a talented field. She has an interesting pedigree; Sunday Silence nearby on the top half and her only significant inbreeding (still a ways back) is to blue hen mare Milan Mill. She will also have a busy schedule ahead of her — off to Sha Tin for the Queen Eizabeth II Cup, then off to the UK for Royal Ascot or Goodwood if she has time. Highly-regarded Viva Pataca simply couldn’t catch her; ditto for Doctor Dino. As predicted, Better Talk Now didn’t have a great day, but I was hoping for more from Youmzain. I’m always in the market for a top turf mare to support; I think I’ve found one.
Winner mentioned? Not remotely, but hey, I got Better Talk Now having an off day.

Dubai World Cup
Finally, the big one. I’ve already commented on Curlin’s outstanding performance, but what about his rivals? It would seem that ‘inexperience’ was at the heart of Jalil’s uninspiring effort:

Frankie Dettori, who rode Jalil, remarked: “The horse is too young – this race has come a year too early for him. We will have to wait for next year.”

So, mark your calendars – Jalil (like Curlin, born in 2004), should be all ready next year – or maybe he’ll hold out to compete at Meydan in 2010. That said, he does seem to be improving, but this level of competition was clearly too much for him. Asiatic Boy was second as predicted, and I was pleased to see Well Armed in the mix, but it was clear they were running for (a distant) second. A.P. Arrow surprised me by staying in for fifth, as did Great Hunter just behind him – given his recent form, I would not have placed him ahead of horses like Premium Tap, Kocab or Vermilion — but none of them ran much of a race. The fact that Curlin hardly seemed to be working should be a worry to the rest of the racing world.
Winner mentioned? Um, yeah, got this one.

All told, it was a great day of racing — top-class horses from all around the world got to shine in a way that one wishes they did at the Breeders’ Cup, which seems every year to be further eclipsed by the event in Dubai. If anyone wanted to spring for airline tickets and a hotel, I’d be happy to confirm that suspicion next year!

More Filly Action

admin — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 13:10:00 +0000

Much of today’s focus at Royal Ascot is on Finsceal Beo in the Coronation Stakes. The Irish Independent points out that if she wins today, she will be only the third horse in the past 28 years to win the ‘mile crown’ (the English and Irish 1000 Guineas and the Coronation Stakes). It will be no easy task – she will be facing Darjina who just beat her in the French Guineas. But it’s hard not to like her:

Preparation for the first Classics invariably involves a rush to meet an early deadline, often when the seasons dictate that young horses should be kept in reserve for the warmer summer. It is a huge demand for fillies, and by the time Royal Ascot arrives, they often show it.

All this, of course, makes the performances of the Jim Bolger-trained Finsceal Beo border on incredible. She has run three times in 2007, with all of those outings at Group One level, every one a Classic. Her wins in the English and Irish 1,000 Guineas, and second in the French version, stamp her as not only a filly of the highest class, but one which is also durable.

And trainer Bolger has definite plans for Finsceal Beo:

“I would be hoping to make it to double digits with her in terms of Group One victories at some stage in the future.

“She has won three already so she is one third of the way there.”

Not a bad goal by any standard!

The sprinters will be back in action Saturday in the Golden Jubilee, once again led by Miss Andretti, although her fellow Aussies Takeover Target and Magnus are also back for another shot. Her 22-year-old jockey, Craig Newitt (who would presumably fit the ‘dreamy’ bill to the young teen girls out there) doesn’t see her suffering any fatigue after her monster win on Tuesday:

“At this stage, she looks well and I’m sure she’ll be at her top for Saturday (in the six furlongs, or 1200 metres, Golden Jubilee). She’s such a gutsy mare and she has this incredible toughness about her. The quick back-up shouldn’t be a problem, and I’m expecting another big performance,” Newitt said.

I continue to kick myself for never having gone to Royal Ascot when I lived in the UK. I am foolish.