trackside528
At the Start
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- Apr 30, 2006
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Having been encouraged by a friend who works for the Irish Field to write a racing article after constantly badgering him about the ever-declining standards of that paper, I decided to do a few racing pieces. My first effort was an attempt at reviewing the St. James's Palace Stakes.
All comments and criticisms are appreciated.
St. James’s Palace Stakes (17/06/2008)
(1) Henrythenavigator (AP O’Brien)
(2) Raven’s Pass (John Gosden)
(3) Twice Over (HR Cecil)
For all of the tradition that invariably accompanies Royal Ascot, the posh frocks and the royal procession, at its essence the meeting is defined by great horses competing in great races. Few examples this week could illustrate that point more clearly or emphatically than Henrythenavigator’s victory in Tuesday's St. James’s Palace Stakes (though his Ballydoyle stablemate Yeats may have something to say about that come Thursday). In winning the race, the Aidan O’Brien trained Kingmambo colt was becoming the first colt since former Ballydoyle inmate Rock Of Gibraltar to follow up the Newmarket-Curragh Guineas double with victory at Ascot, himself the first since To-Agouri-Mou in 1981.
However, the comparison between Rock of Gibraltar and Henrythenavigator does not end with their similar race records up until this point of their 3yo career. Like “the Rock” Henrythenavigator is a strongly-built, not overly-big colt who seems to thrive on his racing. Perhaps most significantly, Henrythenavigator possesses a similar high cruising speed as well as the withering turn of foot that Rock of Gibraltar used to win 7 Group 1 races over a mile. Both assets were again on display on Tuesday, as Henrythenavigator was anchored at the rear of the field by Johnny Murtagh alongside eventual runner-up Raven’s Pass as Minneapolis dictated a genuine, though by no means breakneck, gallop. Always travelling smoothly, Henrythenavigator began to creep closer swinging into the straight and, though he momentarily looked like he might not get the clearest of passages approaching the 2 furlong pole, he was switched outside Twice Over to deliver an explosive turn of foot that ensured he ran out a convincing winner, despite appearing to idle when in front, with Raven’s Pass ¾ of a length back in second.
Henrythenavigator’s performance cemented his position as the top 3yo miler in Europe and, in truth, it is very difficult to see any of the older milers causing him a great deal of trouble later on in the year on the evidence of the Queen Anne. It is all the more unfortunate that perhaps his main older rival for top miling honours, Godolphin’s Creachadoir, has already been ruled out for the season. As such, it would appear that all of the summer mile contests are his for the taking, though connections believe 10 furlongs will hold no fears (a belief borne out by his pedigree as well). Indeed, a clash with dual Guineas runner-up and subsequent Epsom Derby victor New Approach over 10 furlongs (perhaps at York for the Juddmonte International or at Leopardstown for the Irish Champion) really would be something to savour. As a son of Kingmambo, whose progeny have become more valuable over the past few years with the decline of Storm Cat, out of a Group 1-winning mare, herself a daughter of Irish River, one of the most established broodmare sires in Europe, Henrythenavigator is clearly a prized asset as a stallion (even moreso as Coolmore do not currently stand a son of Kingmambo) and it is difficult to see him remaining in training as a 4yo.
Raven’s Pass improved on his 2,000 Guineas form to finish 3 3/4 lengths closer than he had at Newmarket. Though he never looked like getting to Henrythenavigator, and may have been slightly flattered as a result of the winner appearing to idle in front, this was undoubtedly a better performance from the John Gosden colt, who comprehensively reversed Craven Stakes form with Twice Over. That is hardly surprising, though, considering he had the fast ground he relishes (as his acton suggests) and settled well today, something he had failed to in either the Craven Stakes or the 2,000 Guineas, where he had to be switched wide by Jimmy Fortune to make his challenge. Today he was the last horse off the bridle, having been held up at the rear by Jimmy Fortune, and ran on well to the line to finish a never-nearer second. Though he proved today he stays a mile given his favoured conditions and a genuine gallop, it would nevertheless by very interesting to see him tried in a race such as the July Cup. Indeed, that race, over a still 6 furlongs, would suit him to a tee, as the strong gallop would allow him to settle through the race and possibly make best use of his turn of foot.
The front two finished 2 1/2 lengths ahead of Henry Cecil’s Twice Over, dropped back to a mile after a disappointing effort in the Dante Stakes at York. Having been held up in through the early stages by Ted Durcan, Twice Over travelled as well as anything until approaching the 2 furlong marker, when he was shaken up to draw alongside Falco. However, the son of Observatory simply does not possess anything like the turn of foot of either of the front two, and was made to look a relatively one-paced third at the line. On this evidence, Twice Over will appreaciate a step back up to 10 furlongs and is probably ideally suited by ground with a bit of give in it. Even over 10 furlongs, it would be a surprise if Twice Over could win a Group 1 in England or Ireland. His run, however, gives the form a solid look.
Falco and Stubbs Art were both disappointing. The former, a French 2,000 Guineas winner, was always prominent and took up the running entering the straight. However, he found disappointingly little when challenged and eventually finished fifth. Though he was impressive at Longchamp, he got the run of the race that day, and it is difficult to gauge the exact merit of the form at any rate. Stubbs Art was never travelling as fluently as when placed at Newmarket or the Curragh, and was one of the first beaten turning in. He is obviously capable of better. While the proximity of fourth-placed Cat Junior could be used to crab the form, he was only having his third run (following a disappointing seasonal debut) and he looks to be a progressive sort held in quite high regard by Brian Meehan. It will be interesting to see how he progresses.
All comments and criticisms are appreciated.
St. James’s Palace Stakes (17/06/2008)
(1) Henrythenavigator (AP O’Brien)
(2) Raven’s Pass (John Gosden)
(3) Twice Over (HR Cecil)
For all of the tradition that invariably accompanies Royal Ascot, the posh frocks and the royal procession, at its essence the meeting is defined by great horses competing in great races. Few examples this week could illustrate that point more clearly or emphatically than Henrythenavigator’s victory in Tuesday's St. James’s Palace Stakes (though his Ballydoyle stablemate Yeats may have something to say about that come Thursday). In winning the race, the Aidan O’Brien trained Kingmambo colt was becoming the first colt since former Ballydoyle inmate Rock Of Gibraltar to follow up the Newmarket-Curragh Guineas double with victory at Ascot, himself the first since To-Agouri-Mou in 1981.
However, the comparison between Rock of Gibraltar and Henrythenavigator does not end with their similar race records up until this point of their 3yo career. Like “the Rock” Henrythenavigator is a strongly-built, not overly-big colt who seems to thrive on his racing. Perhaps most significantly, Henrythenavigator possesses a similar high cruising speed as well as the withering turn of foot that Rock of Gibraltar used to win 7 Group 1 races over a mile. Both assets were again on display on Tuesday, as Henrythenavigator was anchored at the rear of the field by Johnny Murtagh alongside eventual runner-up Raven’s Pass as Minneapolis dictated a genuine, though by no means breakneck, gallop. Always travelling smoothly, Henrythenavigator began to creep closer swinging into the straight and, though he momentarily looked like he might not get the clearest of passages approaching the 2 furlong pole, he was switched outside Twice Over to deliver an explosive turn of foot that ensured he ran out a convincing winner, despite appearing to idle when in front, with Raven’s Pass ¾ of a length back in second.
Henrythenavigator’s performance cemented his position as the top 3yo miler in Europe and, in truth, it is very difficult to see any of the older milers causing him a great deal of trouble later on in the year on the evidence of the Queen Anne. It is all the more unfortunate that perhaps his main older rival for top miling honours, Godolphin’s Creachadoir, has already been ruled out for the season. As such, it would appear that all of the summer mile contests are his for the taking, though connections believe 10 furlongs will hold no fears (a belief borne out by his pedigree as well). Indeed, a clash with dual Guineas runner-up and subsequent Epsom Derby victor New Approach over 10 furlongs (perhaps at York for the Juddmonte International or at Leopardstown for the Irish Champion) really would be something to savour. As a son of Kingmambo, whose progeny have become more valuable over the past few years with the decline of Storm Cat, out of a Group 1-winning mare, herself a daughter of Irish River, one of the most established broodmare sires in Europe, Henrythenavigator is clearly a prized asset as a stallion (even moreso as Coolmore do not currently stand a son of Kingmambo) and it is difficult to see him remaining in training as a 4yo.
Raven’s Pass improved on his 2,000 Guineas form to finish 3 3/4 lengths closer than he had at Newmarket. Though he never looked like getting to Henrythenavigator, and may have been slightly flattered as a result of the winner appearing to idle in front, this was undoubtedly a better performance from the John Gosden colt, who comprehensively reversed Craven Stakes form with Twice Over. That is hardly surprising, though, considering he had the fast ground he relishes (as his acton suggests) and settled well today, something he had failed to in either the Craven Stakes or the 2,000 Guineas, where he had to be switched wide by Jimmy Fortune to make his challenge. Today he was the last horse off the bridle, having been held up at the rear by Jimmy Fortune, and ran on well to the line to finish a never-nearer second. Though he proved today he stays a mile given his favoured conditions and a genuine gallop, it would nevertheless by very interesting to see him tried in a race such as the July Cup. Indeed, that race, over a still 6 furlongs, would suit him to a tee, as the strong gallop would allow him to settle through the race and possibly make best use of his turn of foot.
The front two finished 2 1/2 lengths ahead of Henry Cecil’s Twice Over, dropped back to a mile after a disappointing effort in the Dante Stakes at York. Having been held up in through the early stages by Ted Durcan, Twice Over travelled as well as anything until approaching the 2 furlong marker, when he was shaken up to draw alongside Falco. However, the son of Observatory simply does not possess anything like the turn of foot of either of the front two, and was made to look a relatively one-paced third at the line. On this evidence, Twice Over will appreaciate a step back up to 10 furlongs and is probably ideally suited by ground with a bit of give in it. Even over 10 furlongs, it would be a surprise if Twice Over could win a Group 1 in England or Ireland. His run, however, gives the form a solid look.
Falco and Stubbs Art were both disappointing. The former, a French 2,000 Guineas winner, was always prominent and took up the running entering the straight. However, he found disappointingly little when challenged and eventually finished fifth. Though he was impressive at Longchamp, he got the run of the race that day, and it is difficult to gauge the exact merit of the form at any rate. Stubbs Art was never travelling as fluently as when placed at Newmarket or the Curragh, and was one of the first beaten turning in. He is obviously capable of better. While the proximity of fourth-placed Cat Junior could be used to crab the form, he was only having his third run (following a disappointing seasonal debut) and he looks to be a progressive sort held in quite high regard by Brian Meehan. It will be interesting to see how he progresses.
