Brilliant Battaash the star on bumper betting day from Goodwood and Galway
THE DAY IN A NUTSHELL
Speed demon Battaash, one of the world’s top sprinters over the past 12 months, returns to the South Downs aiming to defend last year’s hugely impressive King George Stakes victory in the highlight of day four at Glorious Goodwood.
The sprint star was devastating on the Downs last summer, scorching to a two-and-a-quarter-length win that marked him out as the emerging force in British sprinting, but following defeat in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot connections are looking for him to stamp his authority on this Group 2.
Heading his rivals is the Karl Burke-trained Havana Grey, who turned over some smart older horses, including Capsian Prince and Mabs Cross, in the Sapphire Stakes last month. Kachy, who was beaten a neck by Battaash in the Temple Stakes in May, Ryan Moore’s mount Sioux Nation and the 2015 winner of this race, Muthmir, could also play leading roles.
A quality-looking Glorious Stakes, the first of three Group 3s on the card, opens affairs at Goodwood, while the £150,000 Golden Mile Handicap is the day’s big betting heat, with the Queen’s Seniority, ridden by Moore, among the favourites with the well backed Escobar.
Over on the west coast of Ireland Galway is into its fifth day and hangovers are transitioning from painful setbacks to the new normal, but the €100,000 Guinness Handicap should blow away any cobwebs.
The Willie Mullins-trained Cheltenham Festival winner Limini, who was second at Galway on Monday, bids to go one better in the 1m4f prize.
Course favourite Take Cover is back for more
If you’re seeking a horse with course experience, look no further than veteran sprinter Take Cover (3.30) in the King George Qatar Stakes.
The 11-year-old boasts a fine record at Glorious Goodwood, previously landing the feature sprint in 2014 and 2016, a contest in which he has also finished second and fourth. Friday has also attracted the other two winners in the past four years – Battaash and Muthmir.
Owned and bred by Norcroft Park Stud, Take Cover was runner-up in the Stewards’ Sprint Stakes in 2013 and ran well on his return when fading late on in the Temple.
Despite two lesser efforts in weaker company most recently, the return to this track is a big positive.
The booking of Andrea Atzeni is another major plus for the David Griffiths-trained veteran. Atzeni is two from two aboard the yard favourite, including when landing this race four years ago.
Griffiths, who also runs Duke Of Firenze, said of his Goodwood stalwart: “He’s a legend. He’s good on the ground but he can be a bit mad when he’s ridden at home. He goes two speeds – flat out or nowhere.
“We’ve got him spot on for this and he simply loves the place. His record speaks for itself and it would be amazing if he were to win.”
Shaw hoping to strike on first course ride
There will be a momentous occasion for apprentice Harrison Shaw on Friday, when the 5lb claimer has his first ride at the track aboard leading 6f nursery contender The Great Heir (4.10).
The Kevin Ryan-trained horse, owned by Dave Stone, has won his last two starts and is up 13lb for an authoritative success at York last month.
Shaw, based with Mick Easterby, has been taking advice on how to ride the course from Nathan Evans, successful aboard Hoof It in the Stewards’ Sprint two years ago.
Shaw said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity and it would be huge if he were to win – it’s a dream come true just to get a ride at the meeting so if we were to win it would be the cherry on the top.
“I worked for Kevin in my first job in racing before joining Mick and he was looking to claim off The Great Heir, so that, combined with the good work of my agent Richard Hale, has resulted in me getting the ride.
“He’s improving all the time and won eased down last time. He has a really nice, progressive profile and he’s got every chance.”
Could it be Moore, Moore, Moore in Golden Mile?
The services of Ryan Moore are highly sought after for every race, even more so in high-profile handicaps, and he bids for a hat-trick in the Unibet Golden Mile Handicap aboard the Queen’s Seniority (3.00).
Moore has been successful aboard Franklin D and the reopposing Master The World in the last two renewals and market leader Seniority, trained by William Haggas, appears to have strong claims.
Seniority won at Chelmsford under Moore the week before Royal Ascot, allowing him to contest the Royal Hunt Cup as the favourite carrying a penalty.
Far from disgraced when a staying-on eighth under James Doyle at the royal meeting, a bold bid can be expected from Seniority on his first visit to the Sussex Downs after a 44-day break.
Seniority is also well drawn in stall three, and history may well repeat itself as he has the same berth from which Master The World scored last year.
International angle
French trainer Francois Rohaut is an infrequent visitor to Britain but nonetheless achieved a remarkable hat-trick in the Oak Tree Stakes (4.40), winning the Group 3 in each of the last three years.
Rohaut is not represented on Friday but hands the baton on to his compatriot Andre Fabre, who saddles Sequilla and has secured the services of Frankie Dettori, who was on board 12 months ago for the last of Rohaut’s treble.
Sequilla is two from three in France, most recently scoring in a Listed race at Maisons-Laffitte, beating several smart fillies.
Pia Brandt also represents France in the race with Longchamp Listed winner Lida, while Germany’s Peter Schiergen saddles Binti Al Nar.
Benny back after catching stewards’ eye
Snugsborough Benny caught many an eye, including those of the stewards, when flying home under tender handling from Denis O’Regan in a Galway Plate trial at Limerick last month.
The eight-year-old went down by half a length to Supreme Vinnie and the stewards held an inquiry into his performance, with O’Regan stating his mount was further back than he would have liked and that he didn’t enjoy much luck in running. The stewards noted the explanations.
Snugsborough Benny has gone up 3lb for that eyecatching effort and O’Regan will be keen to make amends in one of the most prestigious prizes of the week at Galway, the Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Chase (7.55).
Trainer Liam Cusack said: “He’s in great form and I would say the ground was plenty quick enough for him at Limerick last time. It is a very competitive race but I hope he has got a decent chance. We’re hopeful.”
Running Wild! Oaks second Illusion goes one better to keep Appleby smiling
At Glorious Goodwood five years ago a little-known Charlie Appleby arrived having been handed responsibility for one of the world’s biggest racing stables, his licence just days old, with some uncertainty as to whether he would keep the job for the long term as replacement for Mahmood Al Zarooni.
He left his mark by winning the Gordon Stakes with Cap O’Rushes and built on that foundation to repay the faith shown in him by Sheikh Mohammed by delivering the ultimate prize this year – a first Derby win in Godolphin silks with Masar.
Back at Goodwood on Thursday he celebrated his anniversary with another Group 1 triumph, his first at the track, from a three-year-old filly when Wild Illusion, who narrowly failed to give the stable an Oaks and Derby double, made all to claim the Qatar Nassau Stakes.
Qatar Nassau Stakes, replay, result and analysis
“It’s been a stellar season,” said Appleby. “I’m very fortunate to be in this position. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and the royal family have supported me very well and have been very kind to me.
“It’s simply my job to try to put these winners on the board at this level. The only problem is we have put ourselves on a pedestal and now have to maintain it.”
Appleby is without Masar for the rest of the year but should not be short of other ammunition, with Wild Illusion showing she is a hard filly to peg back when allowed to dictate.
William Buick was never for catching once he began to drive on from a furlong out, holding Urban Fox and Veracious to win by two lengths and a short head on the filly’s return to ten furlongs.
“I felt dropping back in trip was going to help and William is great on the front end,” said Appleby. “He’s given her a lovely tactical ride from the front and used her stamina from half a mile out.
“She’s been rock-solid all season, fourth in a Guineas, second in the Oaks, second in the Ribblesdale. I felt this trip would be her forte. I wondered if Epsom and Ascot would tell a bit, but she had a small break and has come back better than I’ve had her all season.”
Wild Illusion has multiple Group 1 options, including the Darley Yorkshire Oaks and Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, but could stay at this trip.
“Over a mile and a half you could question whether she got outstayed in both the Oaks and Ribblesdale,” said Appleby. “She has a Group 1 tag as a three-year-old now.
“The job for the rest of the season is to pick the right races, and easier ground will help. She’s in the Yorkshire Oaks and Arc, but we could look at the Opera.”
Urban Fox beat the Oaks winner Forever Together last time but could not do the same to the Oaks runner-up conceding 8lb weight-for-age.
“Danny Tudhope said the winner just kept finding and he could never get to her,” said trainer William Haggas. “It was a strong field. There was a Classic winner from last year, a Classic winner from this year and an Oaks runner-up. That could prove to be her best run.”
Favourite Rhododendron, the Lockinge Stakes winner, was one of the first under pressure and finished last of six.
“She ran flat and that’s not like her,” said Ballydoyle representative Kevin Buckley. ”She was disappointing, but we’ll get her home and check her out. The pace was slow early, but I’m not using that as an excuse. Ryan [Moore] said she just didn’t sparkle.”
fonte : RacingPost
No Nay Never’s Land Force Toughs It Out In the Richmond
Thursday, August 2, 2018
| 3rd at GOO, Gr. Stk, £200,000 | G2 Qatar Richmond S. | (6f) | Winner: Land Force (Ire), c, 2 by No Nay Never |
Land Force | Racing Post
By Tom Frary
He may not be the flashiest individual to emerge from Ballydoyle, but Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith’s Land Force (Ire)(No Nay Never) is the epitome of what Aidan O’Brien has long referred to as a “hardy” type and his labours proved more than enough to garner Thursday’s G2 Qatar Richmond S. at Goodwood. Justifiably supported into 5-2 favouritism on the back of a third in Royal Ascot’s five-furlong G2 Norfolk S. June 21 and success in the Listed Tipperary S. also over that trip July 5, the Evie Stockwell-bred half-brother to the MGISW Photo Call (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) pressed the pace early with Ryan Moore intent on leaving no rival unruffled. Forging ahead from the quarter pole, the bay was there to be shot at but his determination was unmatched as he carved out a length success over the similarly tough G3 Anglesey S. winner Marie’s Diamond (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}), with a neck back to the G2 Coventry S. fifth Shine So Bright (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) in third. “He’s a very fast horse and I was left in front too soon, but he’s very game and keeps grinding,” Moore said. “He ran a good race in the Norfolk and doesn’t need to go any further than six. He has a marvellous action and saw it out well.”
Land Force, who was also third in The Curragh’s Listed Marble Hill S. over this trip May 26, was providing his stable with a welcome big-race juvenile winner in Britain and Coolmore’s UK representative Kevin Buckley was buoyed by the outcome. “We are very pleased with that, as he ran on very gamely at the end,” he said. “He fought for Ryan nicely, he was very pleased with his attitude and it was stepping back up to six again–we couldn’t be happier. If you look back at his run at Ascot, that was good form. He is out of a mare by Rock of Gibraltar and is by No Nay Never, so it is fantastic for him to have a group two winner in his first crop. We will probably step him up in class now and whether we look at the [Aug. 19 G1 Prix] Morny [at Deauville] or the [Aug. 12 G1] Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh, they could be on the agenda.” The Prix Morny could be on the cards for the resilient Marie’s Diamond according to trainer Mark Johnston. “He got squeezed out of the stalls and knocked a front fetlock, but it was probably a little bit sharp for him,” he commented. “We said seven next, but [jockey] Silvestre [de Sousa] said ‘no, a galloping track over six will be fine’, so he will probably go to the Morny. His last three runs have been very consistent, so we can’t complain about that.”
Land Force is yet another group winner from the outstanding line of Rahaam (Secreto), whose direct influence was felt via her two high-class individuals in this winner’s second dam Cassandra Go (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}) and Verglas (Ire) (Highest Honor {Fr}). The former was successful in the G2 King’s Stand S., G2 Temple S. and this meeting’s G3 King George S. before finishing second in the G1 July Cup, while the G3 Coventry S. winner Verglas was also runner-up in the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas and was making his name as a sire before his premature demise. Four of Rahaam’s other daughters proved stakes producers, but in Cassandra Go she had provided a rare jewel as the former Geoff Wragg-trained speed queen threw Halfway to Heaven (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}). She took the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas, G1 Sun Chariot S. and this meeting’s G1 Nassau S. for Ballydoyle before producing three group winners for the operation headed by the G1 Prix de l’Opera heroine Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and her full-sister Magical (Ire) who took last year’s G2 Debutante S. Along with the G3 Abernant S. and G3 Sandown Sprint S. winner Tickled Pink (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Cassandra Go was also responsible for the six-furlong G3 Summer S. winner Theann (GB) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}) who continued the excellent record of the family as broodmares by producing the GI First Lady S. and GI Rodeo Drive S. winner Photo Call. Theann has a yearling filly by Australia (GB) to follow.
Thursday, Goodwood, Britain
QATAR RICHMOND S.-G2, £200,000, Goodwood, 8-2, 2yo, c/g, 6fT, 1:11.50, gd.
1–LAND FORCE (IRE), 126, c, 2, by No Nay Never
1st Dam: Theann (GB) (GSW-Eng & MGSP-Ire, $143,999), by Rock of Gibraltar (Ire)
2nd Dam: Cassandra Go (Ire), by Indian Ridge (Ire)
3rd Dam: Rahaam, by Secreto
1ST GROUP WIN. (€350,000 Ylg ’17 GOFOR). O-Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Mrs Evie Stockwell (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £113,420. Lifetime Record: SW-Ire, 6-3-0-3, $216,854. *1/2 to Photo Call (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), MGISW-US, $827,102. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Marie’s Diamond (Ire), 126, c, 2, Footstepsinthesand (GB)–Sindiyma (Ire), by Kalanisi (Ire). (€35,000 Ylg ’17 TIRSEP). O-Middleham Park Racing LXXXVI; B-Tony Ashley (IRE); T-Mark Johnston. £43,000.
3–Shine So Bright (GB), 126, c, 2, Oasis Dream (GB)–Alla Speranza (GB), by Sir Percy (GB). (57,000gns Wlg ’16 TATFOA; €27,000 Ylg ’17 GOFOR). O-King Power Racing Company Ltd; B-Kirsten Rausing (GB); T-Andrew Balding. £21,520.
Margins: 1, NK, NK. Odds: 2.50, 4.50, 6.50.
Also Ran: Konchek (GB), Sabre (GB), Neverland Rock (GB), Sporting Chance (GB), Cool Reflection (Ire), Charming Kid (GB).
Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
Dubawi’s Wild Illusion Makes All In the Nassau
| 4th at GOO, Gr. Stk, £600,000 | G1 Qatar Nassau S. | (9f 197y) | Winner: Wild Illusion (GB), f, 3 by Dubawi (Ire) |
Wild Illusion | Racingfotos.com
By Tom Frary
It had felt a long time since Wild Illusion (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) showed the world what she was capable of, but Thursday’s G1 Qatar Nassau S. played to her strengths and with William Buick in the mood for a tactical masterclass it was plain sailing for Godolphin’s TDN Rising Star. As with the operation’s only prior winner of this, Zahrat Dubai (GB) (Unfuwain), who took it in its inaugural year as a group 1, the G1 Epsom Oaks and G2 Ribblesdale S. runner-up was coming back in trip after two apparent non-staying efforts over a mile and a half. Allowed to use her lengthy stride from the front on the rolling Sussex Downs, the 4-1 shot relished the experience to crack her rivals one by one. At the line, the bay had two lengths to spare over the July 1 G1 Pretty Polly S. winner Urban Fox (GB) (Foxwedge {Aus}), who edged outVeracious (GB) (Frankel {GB}) by a short head. Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) never looked likely to justify 15-8 favouritism and after sending out early distress signals trailed in last of the six runners to compound Ballydoyle’s current spell of ill fortune. “Perhaps she’s a bit quicker than we first thought,” Buick said. “In the Oaks, she got outstayed and it was the same at Royal Ascot. In both races, she travelled beautifully and she was very smooth again today. Charlie [Appleby] just said to get her into a rhythm and she pricked her ears in front and picked it up gradually. She’s a high-quality filly and it was lovely to confirm it again. She has just been running over the wrong trip and on pedigree she is only going to progress.”
One of several chief Classic protagonists entering the winter under the eye of Charlie Appleby, Wild Illusion had impressed on the clock when beating Polydream (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}) on a testing surface in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac on Chantilly’s Arc card in October. Possibly typecast as a slow-ground specialist as a result, she moved across Newmarket’s quick turf without compromise when fourth on her return in the May 6 G1 1000 Guineas and it was the sapping conditions prevalent for the Oaks that ultimately proved her undoing. Fading late when runner-up in Epsom’s June 1 Classic, she failed to get to grips with Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) on one of that talented Ballydoyle runner’s good days when racing on contrasting ground in the Ribblesdale sticking at 12 furlongs at Royal Ascot 20 days later.
For Appleby, this was the end of the learning curve and the beginning of the homebred’s true story. “Wild Illusion has been rock solid all season and was coming into the race as well as I have seen her all season,” he explained. “I felt that dropping back in trip was going to be her forte. Will [Buick] said although the ground has dried up here in the last 24 hours, there is a bit of moisture in there and he said it is not as quick as Ascot. He is great on the front end–we have seen that many times before–and he has given her a lovely tactical ride from the front. I told him to use her stamina from half a mile out to stretch her rivals, as we know she gets the mile and a half well and would have no problems at this trip. Full credit to all the team at home, and to Michel [Rakotoarisoa] who rides her every day at home and looks after her. We’ll let the dust settle before deciding where to go now and while she’s had a busy campaign she looks like she’s thriving–when fillies tell you that you map out a plan to suit.”
Charlie Appleby has come of age in 2018 and as a result the Godolphin operation have entered back into a groove not witnessed in Britain’s top races for some time. “This has been a stellar season, there is no doubt about it, and everybody is enjoying it,” he said. “This is where Godolphin should be and hopefully we can keep the momentum going. I am very fortunate to be in this position–His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and the royal family have supported me very well and have been very kind to me. It is only my job to try and put these winners on the board at this level. The two-year-olds have started coming to hand now and we need them to do well as we build for next year.”
William Haggas said of Urban Fox, “I am very pleased with her. Danny [Tudhope] said the winner has just kept on finding and he could never get to her. It was a strong field–there was a Classic winner from last year, a Classic winner from this year, an Oaks runner-up. I have put her in the [G1] Prix Jean Romanet [at Deauville Aug. 19]. It is a bit soon, but it is four-year-olds and up, which might be a bit more appealing than giving away weight.” Veracious’s connections were taking much from the experience, with the TDN Rising Star the biggest threat to the winner in the closing stages before paying for her early keenness. Chris Richardson, managing director of Cheveley Park Stud, said, “We’re very happy, it is the first time she’s had a proper race. Frankie [Dettori] said she was a bit immature, a bit green and got a little intimidated, but overall we’re very happy. We will review whether we’re going to stay at a mile and a quarter or drop back to the mile, so we’ve got those options to consider.” Kevin Buckley, representing Coolmore Stud in the UK, said of Rhododendron, “She ran flat and that’s not like her,” he said. “She was disappointing, but we’ll get her home and check her out. The pace was slow early, but I’m not using that as an excuse and Ryan [Moore] said she just didn’t sparkle.”
Like the aforementioned Zahrat Dubai, Wild Illusion did not see out 12 furlongs on her last two starts but the general impression from her pedigree is that the Oaks trip should not be beyond her. Her dam Rumh (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}) made virtually all over two miles in a handicap at this venue and was particularly potent from the front as she proved when capturing the 10-furlong Listed Ballymacoll Stud Lord Weinstock Memorial S. by six lengths in 2011. Her dam, the G3 Preis der Winterkonigin-winning highweight Royal Dubai (Ger) (Dashing Blade {GB}), is a half-sister to another who stayed a mile and a half well in Royal Highness (Ger) also by Monsun. She took the G2 Prix de Malleret over that distance and was second in the G1 Prix Vermeille and G1 Prix Ganay in France before joining Christophe Clement and adding the GI Beverly D S. to her tally. She later produced the G2 Prix Hocquart and G2 Prix Dollar-winning sire Free Port Lux (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and is connected to Godolphin’s ill-fated G1 Dubai World Cup hero Electrocutionist (Red Ransom). Rumh, whose first foal was the Listed Montrose S. winner and Listed Meydan Classic third Really Special (GB) (Shamardal), also boasts the 2-year-old filly Ceratonia (GB) by Free Port Lux’s sire Oasis Dream who scored on debut for this yard at Ascot last week and yearling and foal full-brothers to Wild Illusion.
Thursday, Goodwood, Britain
QATAR NASSAU S.-G1, £600,000, Goodwood, 8-2, 3yo/up, f, 9f 197yT, 2:06.22, gd.
1–WILD ILLUSION (GB), 125, f, 3, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Rumh (Ger) (SW-Eng), by Monsun (Ger)
2nd Dam: Royal Dubai (Ger), by Dashing Blade (GB)
3rd Dam: Reem Dubai (Ire), by Nashwan
O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. £340,260. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Fr, 7-3-2-1, $907,361. *1/2 to Really Special (GB) (Shamardal), SW-Eng & SP-UAE, $108,180. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Urban Fox (GB), 133, f, 4, Foxwedge (Aus)–Lomapamar (GB), by Nashwan. (10,000gns Ylg ’15 TAOCT; 425,000gns 3yo ’17 TATMA). O-Barnane Stud Ltd; B-Mascalls Stud (GB); T-William Haggas. £129,000.
3–Veracious (GB), 125, f, 3, Frankel (GB)–Infallible (GB), by Pivotal (GB). O/B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd (GB); T-Sir Michael Stoute. £64,560.
Margins: 2, NO, 1 1/4. Odds: 4.00, 3.00, 5.00.
Also Ran: Billesdon Brook (GB), Wilamina (Ire), Rhododendron (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
fonte : TDN
