Hello & welcome along once more to my Goodwood blog, One of Glorious Goodwood's Group 1 features of the week takes centre stage on Wednesday The Sussex Stakes Group 1 over the mile this year billed as the 'Duel On The Downs' (hmm has it not been called this before) & much to the races detriment in my opinion....as we have just 5 runners to face the starter once more,
last year there were 7 although 2 were pacemakers so in truth there were just 5, 2012 & 2011 just 4 runners each year due to the presence of the Frankel The Wonderhorse, 2010 7 runners with a rank outsider pacemaker once more, 2009 was the last time you could have had an E/W bet on 3 places with the 8 runners although once more 1 of the 8 was a pacemaker who had little chance, 2008 back to 6 with an O'Brien pacemaker, 2007 8 with 1 pacemaker, 2006 7 runners while 2005 & 2004 are distant memories when there were 12 runners & 11 runners respectively.
Don't get me wrong I am all for good horses & PR that shows our sport in a better light but in all honesty its not really a spectacle billing a race as a duel especially as trainers respond in kind by not entering their horses, just Godolphin & Aidan O'Brien are bothering to take on the big 2. The gloss & prestige has been taken off this race in recent years with so few runners, when Frankel won back to back editions it was slightly different as he transcended the racing pages but honestly Kingman nor Toronado do not....whatever the racing press would have you believe.
last year there were 7 although 2 were pacemakers so in truth there were just 5, 2012 & 2011 just 4 runners each year due to the presence of the Frankel The Wonderhorse, 2010 7 runners with a rank outsider pacemaker once more, 2009 was the last time you could have had an E/W bet on 3 places with the 8 runners although once more 1 of the 8 was a pacemaker who had little chance, 2008 back to 6 with an O'Brien pacemaker, 2007 8 with 1 pacemaker, 2006 7 runners while 2005 & 2004 are distant memories when there were 12 runners & 11 runners respectively.
Don't get me wrong I am all for good horses & PR that shows our sport in a better light but in all honesty its not really a spectacle billing a race as a duel especially as trainers respond in kind by not entering their horses, just Godolphin & Aidan O'Brien are bothering to take on the big 2. The gloss & prestige has been taken off this race in recent years with so few runners, when Frankel won back to back editions it was slightly different as he transcended the racing pages but honestly Kingman nor Toronado do not....whatever the racing press would have you believe.
The race itself is Kingman's for the taking he has the better turn of foot & with what now looks like a the potential for a farcical race with stop start or no pace it will still suit him as he can sit off the tempo before James Doyle's asks him to win his race.
Kingman is all about instant impact from slow paces as the only time he has been found out was in the strongly run stiff mile of the 2000 Guineas, with now just 4 runners on Wednesday the tactics will be fascinating now as Darwin is a doubtful stayer at the mile for me so what do they do with him now go on from the front or play cat & mouse in behind.
One would imagine with just the 4 runners that Richard Hughes may be tempted to make the running?? if Darwin does not go on, if Darwin does then you would assume he will try to exact a similar ride to last year on Toronado, holding him back with Kingman or just in front of him before kicking for home early to try & expose any chinks in the youngsters armour.
Outstrip is a lovely little horse who would have been closer last time but for a slightly hampered passage through, it was a much better effort showing signs that he can win again, Godolphin deserve full credit for taking on Kingman again when so many have decided staying in there stables is more beneficial. He has an excellent turn of foot & if there is a decent pace I can see him sitting at the back of the field on Kingman's tail travelling well before trying to go when Kingman does to see if he can cut him down, like he showed with his rapier like finishing kick when winning at The Breeders Cup last year.
Kingman is all about instant impact from slow paces as the only time he has been found out was in the strongly run stiff mile of the 2000 Guineas, with now just 4 runners on Wednesday the tactics will be fascinating now as Darwin is a doubtful stayer at the mile for me so what do they do with him now go on from the front or play cat & mouse in behind.
Outstrip is a lovely little horse who would have been closer last time but for a slightly hampered passage through, it was a much better effort showing signs that he can win again, Godolphin deserve full credit for taking on Kingman again when so many have decided staying in there stables is more beneficial. He has an excellent turn of foot & if there is a decent pace I can see him sitting at the back of the field on Kingman's tail travelling well before trying to go when Kingman does to see if he can cut him down, like he showed with his rapier like finishing kick when winning at The Breeders Cup last year.
He is a huge price but with just the 4 runners the E/W is ruined once again on him.
Not a race i would get involved with.
Opening up Day 2's proceedings are the stayers over 2m5f in the Goodwood Stakes. Mark Johnston has won the last 2 renewals & looks to have a live chance once more with a horse who is following in last year's winners Broxbourne's hoofprints by winning last weeks Brown Jack at Ascot before coming to Goodwood, Maid In Rio won as she liked last week & remains firmly in front of the handicapper, on that run it is folly to think she can be beaten with the rise in the weights unlikely to trouble here or the step up by 5f looking any issue.
Lieutenant Miller heads the weights he was only beaten by half a length in this last year from a much lower mark & has work to do this time around.
Ballinderry Boy showed nothing at Ascot never travelling & dropping away tamely, ground looked an issue that day so I would be concerned again on Wednesday.
Sohar is a consistent stayer in these races showing up well without really threatening, work to do. Ray Ward got the worst of the trouble in a rough race at Royal Ascot last time doing all his best work at the finish, he looks set to win one of these races sooner or later, has to be involved for me. Lion Beacon made all to win nicely over 1m6f last time out at Goodwood, he steps into the unknown regards trip here & I feel there are stronger stayers than him in the field. Romeo Montague showed he is on his way back last time in a lesser grade, he slipped up in this race last year when fancied & could easily go well at a price on Wednesday. Presto Volante is miles better of the AW & will struggle in this. Waterclock has shown nothing for new connections & cannot be considered despite the application of blinkers for the first time. Brockwell is a hard horse to predict, he clearly has ability & should have won many more races by now but there is always something apparently hindering him whether its traffic problems, ground or that he just doesn't put it all in. He is extremely well handicapped but still couldn't win last time from this mark in a lesser race, not for me.
Stopped Out was given a well judged ride from the front last time at Beverley, his astute trainer would not be sending him down here for the sea air so despite his advancing years he could go well.
Solar View won after a long layoff on his return recently, he was then turned out quickly finishing 3rd appearing to bounce, this is the toughest test to date however & I would be looking elsewhere. Sunny Future has been running well at Salisbury in a lesser grade & has work to do here. Similar comments apply to Longshadow who despite winning a couple of days ago will need much more in this better quality of race.
Teak has been has been out of form on his last 2 starts including once behind Sunny Future so his task is there for all to see.
Lieutenant Miller heads the weights he was only beaten by half a length in this last year from a much lower mark & has work to do this time around.
Ballinderry Boy showed nothing at Ascot never travelling & dropping away tamely, ground looked an issue that day so I would be concerned again on Wednesday.
Stopped Out was given a well judged ride from the front last time at Beverley, his astute trainer would not be sending him down here for the sea air so despite his advancing years he could go well.
Solar View won after a long layoff on his return recently, he was then turned out quickly finishing 3rd appearing to bounce, this is the toughest test to date however & I would be looking elsewhere. Sunny Future has been running well at Salisbury in a lesser grade & has work to do here. Similar comments apply to Longshadow who despite winning a couple of days ago will need much more in this better quality of race.
Teak has been has been out of form on his last 2 starts including once behind Sunny Future so his task is there for all to see.
Ray Ward 9/1 Unibet / 888sport is in my tracker so I will be playing him but I fully respect the improving filly Maid In Rio.
Next up is a cracking renewal of The Gordon Stakes featuring 8 decent 3yo's, Sir Micheal Stoute has won this 3 times in the last 10 years & 7 times in total. He sends Lingfield Derby Trial winner Snow Sky back into action after a disappointing run at Royal Ascot, that was on the back of a slight setback which he clearly wasn't over so he can be given another chance. I see no reason why he won't stay & the ground should be ok for him.
Cloudscape has been generally disappointing since beating Windshear (when stable was on fire), he stayed on in decent fashion at the finish over 1m2f last time at Ascot but never really looked like getting involved, the step up in trip looks the way forward but it will need to help as he looks just a shade below pattern level at present.
Red Galileo excelled himself when 5th in The Derby, it would be wise not to take that form to literally though as he was ridden to achieve the best possible placing & was staying on past horses whose stamina was failing or who were just not good enough. He has long been held in high regard by connections but has overall been disappointing.
Observational is a lovely horse who will be even better next year, he has not been seen since winning the Cocked Hat Stakes here in late May missing both the Derby & Royal Ascot, big player.
Scotland finally showed some form last time staying on into 3rd in The King Edward behind Eagle Top & Adelaide. He looks all about stamina so for me he will once more struggle to win although I could see him getting placed so could be one to keep in mind for a Leger as 1m6f looks his bag before taking on the stayers next season.
Somewhat also ran much better last time when excelling himself under a good ride from Franny Norton with a 3rd in The Coral Eclipse, for me he has always wanted this step up to 12f on his race style & he should get involved.
Windshear has been a model of consistency this season finishing another creditable 2nd last time when upped to 1m5f in The Bahrain Trophy, he was outstayed in the ground that day & will appreciate the drop back here on better ground, will be hard to keep out of the frame but will once again find 1 too good.
Not a betting race for me but it should involve Observational, Snow Sky, Somewhat & Windshear.
There have been better Vintage Stakes over the years than the one that we are faced with on Wednesday but we could yet see a star emergence with that star potentially being Highland Reel who broke his maiden at the 2nd time of asking by no less than 12 lengths at Gowran Park, that race has so far produced 2 winners & the horse that beat him on debut was just beaten in a 3 runner Group 3 by his stable companion Gleneagles. His dam the Australian bred Hveger has produced a Group 1 placed animal in the shape of Valdemoro & she is a Full sister to the excellent Elvstroem who won 5 times at Group 1 level in Australia & Dubai.
Ahlan Emarati has run well the last twice in Group company at Ascot & The Curragh, not 100% sure 7f will suit at this stage of his career though.
Ahlan Emarati has run well the last twice in Group company at Ascot & The Curragh, not 100% sure 7f will suit at this stage of his career though.
Mark Johnston saddles 2 runners in the shape of Chadic & Pallister; Chadic has progressed in minor maidens to win in decent style but a poor time last time out, work to do. Pallister has been impressive beating the same horse Winstanley (runs Tuesday) the last twice, he is made for the step up in trip being by Punctilious so it is encouraging he has been able to win twice at 6f, nice horse who could be better again here.
Faithful Creek comes from a stable who unleashed to useful looking Growl at Ascot on Sunday, he won what looked an extremely weak maiden last time at Epsom & will need much more here.
Room Key is well thought of from the stable of Eve Johnson-Houghton, it was a useful race that he was 2nd in at Salisbury last time although the winner has let the form down a little with a down the field finish in Listed company last time. This step up in trip should suit this well put together son of Mount Nelson & he should not be underestimated.
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The Hannon stable have won the last 4 renewals of this race & this year Richard Hannon Jnr sends Dr No & Tupi into battle; Dr No should appreciate the step up in trip after finding the Coventry all happening to fast, he had previously beaten subsequent Group placed Aktabantay on his 2nd start, worthy of respect but may lack some class.
Tupi cost £100,000 & duly won a very ordinary Sandown maiden back in June which has not worked out at all well, it was a slow time. Despite winning well enough he has a lot to do in this on what he has shown so far.
Faithful Creek comes from a stable who unleashed to useful looking Growl at Ascot on Sunday, he won what looked an extremely weak maiden last time at Epsom & will need much more here.
Room Key is well thought of from the stable of Eve Johnson-Houghton, it was a useful race that he was 2nd in at Salisbury last time although the winner has let the form down a little with a down the field finish in Listed company last time. This step up in trip should suit this well put together son of Mount Nelson & he should not be underestimated.
The Hannon stable have won the last 4 renewals of this race & this year Richard Hannon Jnr sends Dr No & Tupi into battle; Dr No should appreciate the step up in trip after finding the Coventry all happening to fast, he had previously beaten subsequent Group placed Aktabantay on his 2nd start, worthy of respect but may lack some class.
Tupi cost £100,000 & duly won a very ordinary Sandown maiden back in June which has not worked out at all well, it was a slow time. Despite winning well enough he has a lot to do in this on what he has shown so far.
At the prices with the dead 8 runners I will back Room Key 33/1 Generally available at huge odds.
Mostly unraced 2yo fillies are up next over 6f;
Avenue Du Monde (Champs Elysees x Marla) made 90,000 Euros at Arqana Yearling sale 2013, some black type in the pedigree.
Bright Flash (Dutch Art x Quadri) £18,000 at DBS Yearling 2013, related to 3 winners.
Follow The Faith (Piccolo x Keeping The Faith) half sister to Group 2 winner Rileyskeepingfaith.
Hundi - never involved 8th on her debut at the end of June.
Inauguration (Acclamation x Carrigoona) £20,079 Foal, Goffs, November Foal (2012), £32,160 Yearling, Arqana, August Yearling (2013) & £41,150 Two-year old, Arqana, Breeze-Up (May 2014).
Mary Ann Bugg - has been outclassed on all her starts to date & the same outcome awaits here.
Moon River - Shown little promise in 2 maidens looks one for Nurseries.
Piccadillo - Similar comments apply.
Royal Razalma - improved markedly from debut run to finish a good 2nd last time out reproduction of that would see her involved.
Shahah - Excellent debut for a filly who should do better over further in time, if she can improve on that run she is the one to beat.
Touchline (Exceed And Excel x Trianon) Dam nothing to write home about but is a half sister to Phantom Gold Ribblesdale Group 2 / Fictitious Grade 3 & Listed / Tempting Prospect Listed placed. She has produced 4 foals so far, this is the first of her offspring to make the track.
@fttfracing
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