Page 32 - August/September 2007 The Game

32 The Game, August/September 2007 Canada’s Thoroughbred Racing Newspaper
Outside the Borders with Nigel Griffiths
Upwardly mobile he was, but even trainer Hughie Morrison was surprised that his young stable star, unbeaten this season, could pull off the jump from Listed Company to a take a prestigious Gr1 sprint like the 6f July Cup at Newmarket. Make it he did and with the performance of a very good horse. After being checked 2f out, the 3yo Sakhee’s Secret blitzed into the lead inside the final furlong holding the strong finish of Dutch Art by 1/2 length.
With Papal Bull, you dismiss faith and hope at your peril when handicapping his races. Enigmatic and a nightmare ride he may be, but the boys got talent by the bucketful. Ryan Moore was shoving him along at the back as they turned for home in the Gr2 Princess of Wales’s Stakes, but he came through horses to hit the front, where he saved for his encore the opportunity to throw the race by veering violently to the right. Young
Moore was having none of it.
Aidan O’Brien again he showed the depth of quality
he has at Ballydoyle when Soldier Of Fortune (Galileo) waltzed away with the Gr1 Irish Derby. He simply relished the 12f on soft ground to finish clear of stable- mates Alexander of Hales and 6/4 favourite Eagle Mountain.
All eyes were on Sandown for the Eclipse, where the assertive Derby winner Authorized was stepping up to take on the older horses in this 10f Gr1. Sent off a strong 4/7 favourite, the young Classic winner and the ever enigmatic George Washington thrilled the crowds as they battled head to head for the line against the far rail, but it was Ryan Moore’s brave decision to bring Notnowcato up the stands side where the ground was drying out that paid dividends, nailing them both for a 1 1/2 length victory.
Dropping back in distance from his French Derby win, Lawman showed his class by taking the Gr1 Prix Jean Prat over 1m at Chantilly. Leading much of the way, he picked up nicely under confident ride by Olivier Peslier.
The 2m6f Cleanevent Grand National Steeplechase at Sandown, Australia, went to the classy Clearview Bay who jumped well to win comfortably over Swift Rule. Win machine Some Are Bent will head to Moonee Valley for the A$200,000 Dominant Hiskens Chase and to equal the record of nine consecutive jumps race wins.
Leading Sydney trainer Gai Waterhouse, has been given the all clear to return to Australia after health concerns. In the UK supervising her runner Bentley Biscuit at Royal Ascot and Newmarket, she will now head back home to prepare her strong force for their Spring campaigns.
No Deep Impact present, but certainly an exceptionally classy field for the 1m3f Gr1 Takarazuka Kinen with its winning purse of C$1.2million. Yielding
two Derby winners, Gr1 performers, Classic winners and two champion fillies in the field, on paper it was a race to savor. This is an unusual race in that the field is elected by the racing public, something that only adds flavour to it being the first big race of the calendar, where the 3yos take on the older generation.
The excitement and anticipation from the vast crowd was settled as the 8yo Lohengrin led the field early on, but with half a mile to go it was the quality pair, Kawakami Princess and Meisho Samson who took over with the race favourite Vodka charging hard behind. At the 2 furlong marker the 2000 Guineas winner Meisho Samson started to dominate, while Vodka cried enough. The challenge came from Admire Moon with a strong run from the back of the field and as they both settled down to fight it out, it was Admire Moon who forged his head in front to take the crown by 1/2 length from Meisho Samson and the late running Pop Rocks. The Arc is the plan for both Vodka and Meisho Samson, while the Juddmonte International at York (England) is the target for Admire Moon.
Bourbon King put up a gutsy effort to win the Gr1 Bangalore Derby. He quickened like a good horse to take the lead turning for home and just
managed to hold off the blistering late run of Noble Prince. Alvarita, who came strongly to challenge, will appreciate a step back in trip from this 10f.
Cont. Pg. 35 - See Outside Borders
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