Wandering Eyes

Stoute's third winner of the meeting had won only the first of his four career outings heading into the 3-year-old sprint championship. View the full article

Alpha Centauri was truly out of this world in thumping a high-class Coronation Stakes (G1) field by six lengths in a track record time of 1:35.89, more than a second faster than previous title-holder Barney Roy. View the full article

After she sprung a significant upset at odds of 14-1 in the May 26 Gamely Stakes (G1T), D P Racing's Sophie P (GB) could play the role of favorite June 24 in the $100,000 Wilshire Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park. View the full article

It has been fully 11 years since trainer John Moore has sent a horse from Hong Kong to Japan, and fate has played a role in the fact that one-time Horse of the Year Werther (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) has made the relatively short trip into Osaka for Sunday’s G1 Takarazuka Kinen, a ‘Win and You’re In’ qualifier for the 2018 GI Breeders’ Cup Turf at Churchill Downs in early December. Second in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup (2000m) as the 6-5 favourite in December, the 6-year-old was third in the G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) and runner-up in the G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m), but was found to have bled and was mandatorily banned for three months. He finished well once clear when last seen in the G3 Lion Rock Trophy H. (1600m) three weeks ago, but has arrived in Japan far leaner than he has ever weighed in at home. If Moore is concerned, he isn’t letting on. “He is light but I’m not worried at all, I expected him to lose some weight from that last run both because he was first-up in a while and because he’s travelling,” he told HKJC’s Andrew Hawkins. “Horses will always lose weight when they travel, unless we give them plenty of time to acquaint themselves with their destination. Instead of the figure on the scale, I’m using my eyes and his colour and his coat tell me that he’s very fit and healthy, he has a good sheen to his coat and he’s dappled which is a very good sign.” Werther, who would certainly appreciate the forecast for wet weather, is just the second foreigner to contest the Takarazuka Kinen, but will not be entirely out of place, as five of the remaining 15 Japanese-based rivals have traveled previously to Hong Kong. Satono Crown (Jpn) (Marju {Ire}) defeated Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the 2016 Longines Hong Kong Vase (2400m) and is the defending champ of this race, but needs to rediscover some of that old form to factor here. He was a latest seventh to Hawkbill (Kitten’s Joy) in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic in late March. Satono Diamond (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) carries the same colors and is a two-time group winner over the local course, but is winless since taking the G2 Hanshin Daishoten over a year ago. On bare form, Vivlos (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) merits serious consideration. The 2017 G1 Dubai Turf victress, Kaz Sasaki’s 5-year-old mare came from second-last in the field to finish runner-up to Benbatl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in defense of her title three months back, but is unraced since. She’s been this far just once in her lifetime, a fifth as the chalk in the 11-furlong G1 QE II Cup last November. “Last year in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup she didn’t quicken as much as I would have liked after the jockey gave her the go sign, but I think she can handle the distance,” trainer Yasuo Tomomichi commented. “She has matured a lot. Especially her legs and back have gotten longer. As for the surface, a bit of rain and a bit of spring to the track should be fine.” View the full article

So the final day of the Royal meeting is upon us and oh what a week it has been; International winners, fabulous Frankie, record-breaking training and jockey performances and course record smashed. Let’s look forward not back, the feature on the final day of racing is the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes, which is run over 6 furlongs and historically attracts the best sprinters in training. This year is no exception, with representatives from England, Ireland, America, France and Australia. The home brigade has the favourite Harry Angel, who is a multiple Group 1. However, it must be a worry for his supporters than on his four previous visits to Ascot he’s been beaten. Of the international contingent, Redkirk Warrior holds the greatest interest, the Australian sprinter has been a revelation since dropping down in trip and is now a multiple Group 1 winner. Funnily enough, he has course winning form over 1m 2f when trained by William Haggas. City Lights has been in good form this season but on the whole, I don’t believe he has enough quality to win a race of this nature. Merchant Navy is my idea of the winner, the son Fastnet Rock has some ground to make up on with Redkirk Warrior on their Australian form but after recently joining Aidan O’Brien that isn’t beyond the realms of possibility. RaceBets have a great offer for new customers, simply place a £/€20 bet on the Diamond Jubilee and get your stake back if your horse loses. T&C’s Apply Click here for full details. Looking at the Chesham, it’s hard to make a definitive selection as there are so many unknowns. I’ll throw my hat on the French raider On A Session, who is owned by Con Marnane, brother to Royal Hunt Cup-winning trainer David. He seems to have a live chance of having back to back Royal Ascot winners with his unbeaten daughter of Noble Mission. The red-hot pair of Ryan Moore and Sir Michael Stoute team up in the Hardwicke Stakes with favourite Crystal Ocean. There have been some burnt fingers with favourites such as Cracksman and Lady Aurelia getting turned over. I can’t see this happening with last season St Leger runner-up Crystal Ocean. The final two-year-old contest of the week is the Windsor Castle Stakes where once again Wesley Ward trains the favourite; Moonlight Romance. I’m going to throw a curve ball here by putting a maiden forward as my selection. The once-raced Kessar finished runner-up on debut at York having been badly hampered. John Gosden enlists the services of Frankie Dettori for this son of Kodiac and in an open-looking race, Kessar looks sure to run well. Every handicap that’s run at Royal Ascot looks competitive but the Wokingham has a very strange look to it, Dreamfield is currently priced up at about a 10/3 favourite and it’s 14/1 the field. Does this mean that Dreamfield is a certainty? No it doesn’t he looks on the paper the most likely winner but use an old adage there are no such things are certainties’ when it comes to racing. Dreamfield is unbeaten in three races and this regally bred son of Oasis Dream is justifiably at the top of the market but at some prohibitive odds against seasoned handicappers, I’m willing to take him on. For those of you who read my Handicap hopefuls article, which has already produced the 16/1 winner of the Royal Hunt Cup Settle For Bay, will know I like Danzeno in this race. Mick Appleby’s seven-year-old has saved some of his best form for Ascot including when fifth in the Wokingham last year off a two pound higher mark. Currently a 20/1 shot with RaceBets, Danzeno looks great value to at least make the frame at the very least. Royal Ascot is brought to a close with the Queen Alexandra Stakes, which is run over a marathon two mile five and a half furlongs, last season Ascot Stakes winner Thomas Hobson will be aiming to send favourite-backers home happy as Willie Mullins’s charge looks highly likely to start short favourite. Willie may have won the trainer championship but I think Gordon will get his revenge and will win the Queen Alexandra Stakes with the classy Pallasator, who was a Group 2 winner in his prime. He showed that he retained plenty ability over jumps last season by winning two races including a Grade 2 event at Fairyhouse. Gordon has freshened him up for this race and a big run looks on the cards. The post Royal Ascot Preview – Day 5 appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

TIGALALU (f, 3, Curlin–The Winged Venus, by Rock Hard Ten), a bit overlooked at 7-1 in this debut, seized the early advantage, ticking off early fractions of :23.21 and :46.63. Challenged by a pair of rivals entering the far turn, the chestnut found another gear in the stretch, easily cruising clear of her rivals under a motionless Jose Lezcano to win by seven lengths in 1:37.04. We Are Family (Into Mischief) completed the exacta. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O-John O’Connor; B-Anastasie Astrid Christiansen-Croy (KY); T-Mark Hennig. View the full article

After success in the King Edward VII Stakes (G2), Old Persian, who has been ridden at home this year by Oscar Urbina, now has to step up to group 1 company or carry a penalty in a group 2. View the full article

Werther, a former Hong Kong Horse of the Year, takes on a field including five Japanese grade 1 winners in the Takarazuka Kinen (G1) June 24 at Hanshin Racecourse. View the full article

Supporters of federal legislation that aims to improve horse racing's integrity and uniformity on medication rules reached a milestone June 22 when a Congressional subcommittee considered the legislation in Washington. View the full article

5th-CD, $51K, Msw, 2yo, post time: 2:45 p.m. ET BANO SOLO (Goldencents), a $400,000 OBS March graduate after zipping through a bullet quarter-mile in :20 1/5 at the breeze show, debuts for Winchell Thoroughbreds and Willis Horton and trainer Steve Asmussen. He is the 5-2 morning-line favorite. Market King (Into Mischief), a $550,000 KEESEP yearling, also begins his career here. The Robert C. Baker and William L. Mack colorbearer, trained by Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas, was produced by a daughter of champion Divine Proportions (Kingmambo). TJCIS PPs 7th-SA, $61K, OC 40k/N1X, 3yo/up, 1m, post time: 6:28 p.m. ET EXPLORER (Orb) takes on winners and two turns for the first time after earning his ‘TDN Rising Star’ badge with a flashy, four-length debut win at Santa Anita going six furlongs May 18. The second-highest priced juvenile at last year’s OBS March Sale at $1.25 million is campaigned by LNJ Foxwoods and NK Racing and trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert. The 9-5 morning-line favorite fired a six-furlong bullet workout in 1:12 2/5 (1/6) in Arcadia June 17. TJCIS PPs View the full article

LA FUERZA (c, 2, Flatter–Jonata, by Proud Citizen) was hammered down to 1-2 favoritism for his career bow against fellow New York-breds Friday at Belmont and repaid the bettors faith with an impressive victory. The homebred missed the break and was well back early, running in a wide fifth through an opening quarter in :22.31. Charging up three wide on the backstretch run, he inhaled the field in a matter of strides and charged clear to a six length victory. Longshot Hushion (The Lumber Guy) was best of the rest in second, finishing well clear of third-place finisher Bozzini (Desert Party). Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O-Barry Schwartz; B-Stonewall Farm (NY); T-Todd Pletcher. View the full article

A new chapter in the career of American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) will begin July 10 in Lexington, Kentucky when his first crop of yearlings sells at the Fasig-Tipton July Sale. This is not just another first-crop sire, but a sire who became the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years and took owner Ahmed Zayat and his family on the ride of their lives. Zayat was a recent guest on the TDN’s podcast, presented by Taylor Made. Excerpts from the podcast appear below. TDN: You are obviously not objective, but we have to ask you anyway, who’s the better horse, American Pharoah or Justify (Scat Daddy)? AZ: Everyone thinks their kids are the best. I think they are very different horses. American Pharoah, arguably, had the most incredible, super, dynamic mechanics. He had size, sheer power and an ability to move and float. Eighty or 90% of his race he actually spent in the air. He also had a demeanor that people will be talking about for years. He was so kind. He was pet-like. That distinguished him from a lot of regular horses, let alone Triple Crown horses. Add to that he was incredibly fast and he was dominant in his wins, winning by five, six lengths. He defined what a special, great horse is. Where does he fit among the 13 Triple Crown winners? Who cares? Is he better than Justify or is Justify better than him? I can’t answer that. They’re both special. I’m happy for Justify. I’m happy for any horse that wins the Triple Crown. TDN: Three years after Justify, we had another Triple Crown winner and both were trained by Bob Baffert. That can’t be a coincidence. How is Baffert able to get so much out of these horses and, frankly, accomplish things with them that even the greatest trainers in the sport can’t? AZ: Bob literally speaks to his horses. I watch Bob every morning at Del Mar when he works his horses and I see him calling audibles. He is so in tune with every little thing about the horse, their demeanor, their weight, how they are moving. He has such focus that he knows exactly what to do with the horse, exactly how they should be trained. What do I need to do today? What can I get out of them? He has it down to an art. I think Pharoah helped him with Justify as he had a dry run. He followed exactly exact the same script. When I went to visit him the day after Justify won the Triple Crown and I asked him, ‘Is it the horse or is it the trainer?’ He looked at me and just smiled and I said, ‘Bob, I think you just gave me your answer.’ He said, ‘No, no, no, it’s the horse.’ You really have to have the right trainer to get the most out of special, talented horses. TDN: As yearling sale season approaches, what are you hearing about American Pharoah’s babies? AZ: I believe that American Pharoah has all the qualities to make it as stallion. If he doesn’t, I don’t know who does. Intellectually, only 11% of all stallions become real successful stallions, meaning their progeny are runners and can produce a Grade I win. You look at the weanlings and the yearlings and you look at what American Pharoah has been throwing and they are all athletic, they have the same demeanor like the father, they are beautiful looking. The sign of a good stallion to me is his ability to move up their mares and that was the biggest thing I saw in Pioneerof the Nile. He wasn’t bred at first to the best broodmares and all the babies looked and acted the part and were fast. American Pharoah babies look unreal, they look athletic, they look correct. I myself have 12 of them and they all look the part. He was bred to as good a book of mares as you can imagine. Coolmore bred 40 mares of their own. All signs point to him being a very good stallion. TDN: So what can we expect at the yearling sales? The weanlings sold phenomenally well. Are we going to see plenty of American Pharoahs sell for seven figures? AZ: Oftentimes, price has nothing to do with getting a good or bad horse. Price is based on two bidders who both badly want a horse and bid against one another. I have bought horses for $80,000 who became Grade I winners and I have bought horses for $1 million who end up being $5,000 claimers. You hope you know what you are doing, you hope you are paying up for what everybody sees. But it is a guessing game when they are yearlings. You are looking at conformation, you are looking at pedigree, but it doesn’t mean that when you put the saddle on them and break them that they will be runners. But everybody tries to develop their own system to be able to maximize the probability of having a runner. When you look at the probabilities, and consider all the factors that made Pharoah so special, the chance that he throws runners is very high and we are certainly hoping that will be the case. View the full article

QUORTO (IRE) (c, 2, Dubawi {Ire}–Volume {GB} {SW & G1SP-Eng & G1SP-Ire, $210,078}, by Mount Nelson {GB}), the first and only foal so far out of the G1 English and Irish Oaks third Volume, was quickly away but held on to early tracking fellow Godolphin runner Handmaiden (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) behind the leading trio. Sent by that filly and into the lead approaching the furlong marker, the 9-4 second favourite drew away in impressive fashion to record an emphatic 2 3/4-length success from that rival, with the 11-8 favourite Alnasherat (GB) (Kingman {GB}) a neck behind in third having set a decent standard after his debut third at Leicester last month. Quorto is the first Dubawi juvenile to win in 2018. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, £5,175. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. O/B-Godolphin; T-Charlie Appleby. View the full article

1st-Churchill Downs, $50,735, Msw, 6-22, 2yo, f, 5 1/2f (off turf), 1:06.46, my. FIGHTRESS (f, 2, Tapizar–Wild Bout Tiffany {SW, $238,505}, by Wildcat Heir) was sent off at 9-2 in this off-the-turf unveiling for young trainer Norm Casse. Away slowly, she quickly got her hooves beneath her and moved up to challenge the leader through an opening quarter in :22.49. Shaking free of the pacesetter in early stretch, the dark bay rolled clear to a 4 3/4-length graduation. Super Simple (Super Saver) closed for second. The winner’s dam Wild Bout Tiffany produced a Midnight Lute colt in 2017 and an American Pharoah colt in 2018. Sales history: $75,000 Ylg ’17 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $30,600. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. O-Glencrest Farm & Robert Masterson; B-Clearsky Farms (KY); T-Norm W. Casse. View the full article

Werther (NZ), a former Hong Kong Horse of the Year, takes on a field including five Japanese grade 1 winners in the Takarazuka Kinen (G1) June 24 at Hanshin Racecourse. View the full article

Supporters of federal legislation that aims to improve horse racing's integrity and uniformity on medication rules reached a milestone June 22 when a Congressional subcommittee considered the legislation in Washington. View the full article

Manners maketh man, and all that, and there is nothing about conforming to the Royal Ascot dress code that automatically turns a man or woman into a lady or gentleman. If anything, in fact, its strictures tend to amplify the refinement, or otherwise, within. If you want to know about real class, then, just take a look at the people who yesterday produced the scintillating Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) to state what looks an unanswerable case as the outstanding 3-year-old filly in Europe. Jessica Harrington’s response to widowhood has been to vest all the joie de vivre of her late husband Johnny–one of Nature’s gentlemen, if ever there was one–in the horses she has prepared to win so many championship jump races since his loss in 2014. With the help of her family, she has become an ever more dynamic force on the Flat, too, and now at last she also has a first Royal Ascot winner. Torcedor (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) had run a mighty race when beaten only a length in the Gold Cup the previous day, while this filly had herself been beaten a neck on this card last year. But it turned out that Alpha Centauri was reserving her trainer’s breakthrough here for the very highest level, in the G1 Coronation S. In the event, a six-length rout hardly proved a demanding examination of Colm O’Donoghue’s eligibility–after two decades as best supporting actor at Ballydoyle–to be cast in a lead role as Harrington’s stable jockey. But this gentleman has always had what it takes: balance, awareness, strength. The only missing ingredient, potentially, was the self-belief he revealed barely a year ago in renouncing the security of the only working environment he had known since leaving school. O’Donoghue was not going to die wondering. As such, he can be absolutely indulged the uncharacteristic assertiveness of his celebration–first pointing an index finger to his lips, and then to his own chest. It was wonderful, in fact, to see him disclose the competitive edge that must somewhere drive even horsemen as innately humble as his longtime mentor at Ballydoyle, Aidan O’Brien. O’Donoghue will need all that self-belief if this filly retains form and fitness for what already, given the way she broke the track record over a turning mile on fast ground, seems to be written in the stars: a crack at the Breeders’ Cup Mile. That race often turns into a crapshoot but this filly is built to look after herself against the colts; and class told, of course, in the two runnings won by her fabled third dam, Miesque (Nureyev). If this was another breakout day for Mastercraftsman–Agrotera (Ire), under a classic Jamie Spencer ride, proved another sensational filly from the same crop when giving Ed Walker his own maiden Royal Ascot winner in the Sandringham H.–then proceedings had already added fresh lustre to Miesque’s family tree. For the fourth dam of Old Persian (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), winner of the G2 King Edward VII S. for Charlie Appleby, is a full sister to Miesque. Let’s make no bones about this. When Appleby, previously assistant to Mahmood Al Zarooni, was promoted to replace his disgraced boss five years ago, from the outside it looked a fairly cussed solution to the humiliation visited upon Godolphin by Mahmood Al Zarooni. When the stable’s traditional antagonists at Coolmore hired O’Brien, for instance, he had already made a record-breaking start to his career, albeit taking on the likes of Harrington with jumpers. Appleby, in contrast, had spent 15 years working his way through the ranks at Godolphin: groom, travelling head lad, assistant trainer. The only obvious virtue of his appointment was that it enabled Sheikh Mohammed to stress that the steroids scandal was down to Al Zarooni’s individual culpability, and that the stable’s founding ethics–adventure, sportsmanship and youth–remained undiminished. With hindsight, that was a big-hearted stand for “the Boss” to have made in such an excruciating moment of crisis. As such, then, you can only imagine how proud he must be of this transformative summer in Appleby’s career. Yes, the Sheikh has meanwhile also had the strategic sense to add a number of proven masters to Godolphin’s training roster. But Appleby himself has unmistakably come of age. To begin with, he appeared to depend for his confidence on the kind of strike-rate he could sustain by farming lesser races: maidens, handicaps, Meydan pots. Now, as a Derby-winning trainer, both Appleby and his horses seem entirely at home in advancing through the elite. Already this week he had taken the 4-year-old Blue Point (Ire) (Shamardal) to a new peak in the G1 King’s Stand S., and now he has added the “Ascot Derby” to the Epsom original won by Masar (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}). What’s more, the way Old Persian is going, you could not rule out the possibility that he might add a second Classic to Appleby’s 2018 laurels in the St Leger. True, the Miesque connection is all zip. But there is stamina loaded elsewhere in his pedigree: his dam, by Singspiel (Ire) (In The Wings {GB}), is a sister to a Group 2 winner at a mile and a half; and while we still wait for Dubawi to make a real impact in the Derby, the genes he offers include those of his dam’s grandsires, Dancing Brave and Shirley Heights (GB). If this didn’t prove too punishing a test at the trip, it was nonetheless Old Persian’s first attempt beyond 10 furlongs and he took due opportunity to show the length of his stride and the size of his heart. Appleby had been thwarted by just a neck with La Pelosa (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) in the opener, the G3 Albany S., but can take heart from the reflection that precisely the same was true 12 months ago of Alpha Centauri. The winner Main Edition (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) is a characteristic Mark Johnston find out of Tattersalls Book 1–where many lesser animals will assuredly have changed hands for a lot more than 62,000gns. Her jockey James Doyle confessed that he had followed the trail of the royal carriages in the procession half an hour previously, in which the Queen’s outfit had been identified by those who know these things as “summer grass green.” How apt, for such a stunning afternoon–too warm, if anything, for the gentlemen in toppers and waistcoats. We had lost the breeze of the previous day, which though deliciously cool had also dried out the going. Doyle described conditions as “fast but beautiful.” That, as it happens, was just the way the present monarch’s great-grandfather Edward VII liked some of the ladies he met here. His mother, Queen Victoria, felt there was no such thing as a “fast” lady; only fast women. But she might have made an exception for Alpha Centauri. View the full article

Alpha Centauri (IRE) turned the Coronation Stakes (G1) into a procession at Royal Ascot June 22, with a spectacular performance that left her 11 rivals toiling in her wake. View the full article

Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's Eqtidaar (IRE) held off the fast finishing Sands Of Mali (FR) to land the Commonwealth Cup (G1) at Ascot June 22, as the Royal meeting continued apace. View the full article

Coming of age when winning the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas at The Curragh May 27, TDN Rising Star Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) progressed again to provide trainer Jessie Harrington with a first Royal Ascot success in track-record time in the G1 Coronation S. Confidently-backed into 11-4 favouritism, the Niarchos homebred travelled with ease in behind the early leaders as the returning TDN Rising Star Veracious (GB) (Frankel {GB}) tanked along in front. Moving wide on the turn to travel up to that rival with two furlongs remaining, the grey was sent on by Colm O’Donoghue and pounded her opposition into the ground from there to beat the previous time by over a second in one of this race’s all-time great performances. At the line, there was a six-length margin back to Threading (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) in second, with Veracious putting up a bold show 1 3/4 lengths behind in third on her seasonal debut. “The further she went the further she was going away,” her trainer said. “She’s a very big filly and physically she can’t get her feet out of the ground when it’s soft, so she needs this ground.” ALPHA CENTAURI (IRE), 126, f, 3, by Mastercraftsman (Ire) 1st Dam: Alpha Lupi (Ire), by Rahy 2nd Dam: East of the Moon, by Private Account 3rd Dam: Miesque, by Nureyev O/B-Niarchos Family (IRE); T-Jessica Harrington; J-Colm O’Donoghue. £305,525. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Ire, 7-4-1-0, £576,894. *1/2 to Tenth Star (Ire) (Dansili {GB}), SW & GSP-Ire, GSP-Eng. View the full article

In this ongoing series, Alan Carasso takes a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Hakodate, Tokyo and Hanshin Racecourses, the latter of which plays host to Sunday’s G1 Takarazuka Kinen, a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” qualifier. Saturday, June 23, 2018 2nd-HSN, ¥9,550,000 ($87k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800m FINALIZAR (JPN) (f, 3, Congrats–Set Play, by Van Nistelrooy) is the first Japanese produce for her dam, the Peter Miller-trained winner of the 2007 GI Del Mar Debutante who was purchased privately by Northern Farm carrying this filly in utero in 2014. The bay, whose yearling half-sister by Heart’s Cry (Jpn) sells as lot 197 at the upcoming JRHA Select Sale, exits a strong runner-up effort over course and trip June 2. Three of this sire’s four Grade I winners hail from Storm Cat-line mares, including Wickedly Perfect, dam of Japanese Group 2 winner Hartley (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). B-Northern Farm Sunday, June 24, 2018 5th-HAK, ¥13,400,000 ($122k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1200mT ASTER PEGASUS (c, 2, Giant’s Causeway–R Heat Lightning, by Trippi) is the first of three foals of racing age to start for his dam, victorious in the 2010 GI Spinaway S. and runner-up to Awesome Feather (Awesome of Course) in that year’s GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and a $1.6-million acquisition by Stonestreet at KEENOV in 2013. A $150K KEESEP yearling, Aster Pegasus is out of a half to GSP Chocolate Coated (Candy Ride {Arg}) and SP Hot Trip (Trippi). B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings (KY) 10th-TOK, ¥28,600,000 ($260k), Allowance, 3yo/up, 1400m JASPER WIN (c, 3, Jimmy Creed–Chick Flick, by Tapit) is another of his sire’s early progeny to punch above its weight, as he carries a record of 6-2-0-2 record into this test. A half-brother to SP Flowmotion (Warrior’s Reward) from the extended female family of GISW Behaving Badly (Pioneering), the $70K KEESEP yearling exits a half-length victory in a track-and-distance allowance test May 26 (see below, gate 4). B-Spendthrift Farm LLC (KY) 10th-HSN, ¥34,620,000 ($312k), Allowance, 3yo/up, 1200m MATERA SKY (c, 4, Speightstown–Mostaqeleh, by Rahy) has won two of his four outings this term, including a Feb. 17 allowance victory over 1200m at Kyoto (see below, gate 8). That effort earned him a trip to Dubai for the G1 Golden Shaheen and he was hardly disgraced in finishing fifth, beaten five lengths by Shadai-bound Mind Your Biscuits (Posse). A $140K KEENOV weanling turned $350K KEESEP yearling, Matera Sky is kin to three black-type horses, including MSW Nawwaar (Distorted Humor). B-Lynch Bages Ltd (KY) View the full article

Sir Michael Stoute was uncharacteristically bullish about the prospects of the G1 Commonwealth Cup’s “dark horse” Eqtidaar (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) prior to his Royal Ascot baptism of fire and that proved well-founded as the Shadwell homebred leapt forward to prevail over some high-class peers. Handed an ideal lead from Emblazoned (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) in the centre group, the 12-1 shot who had been second in the course-and-distance G3 Pavilion S. on his penultimate start May 2 was sent up to tackle that rival with a furlong remaining by Jim Crowley and after gaining the edge began to veer left. Carrying the long-time leader with him, he was straightened in time to hold the stand’s-side group “winner” Sands of Mali (Fr) (Panis) by a half length, with Emblazoned clinging on to third, a length away. “He was one of my best rides of the week and he’s trained by a genius,” Crowley said. “It went like clockwork really and I knew he’d been working unbelievably well and you could make excuses for his last two starts. It’s a massive step up and massive perfoamnce.” Stoute is now on 78 Royal winners and added, “We’ve always liked this horse and we were hopeful, as he’s progressing nicely.” EQTIDAAR (IRE), c, 3, Invincible Spirit (Ire)–Madany (Ire), by Acclamation (GB). O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum; B-Shadwell Estate Company Ltd (IRE); T-Sir Michael Stoute; J-Jim Crowley. £283,550. Lifetime Record: 5-2-1-0, £310,149. *1/2 to Massaat (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), GSDW & MG1SP-Eng, G1SP-Fr, $539,369. View the full article

Granted a soft first black-type success when bettering two over-matched rivals in Newmarket’s Listed Fairway S. last time, Godolphin’s Old Persian (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) had anything but an easy time in the G2 King Edward VII S. but he was man enough to hold off some tough rivals and continue his upward trajectory. Ridden forward from his high draw by William Buick to race in a close-up second, the 9-2 shot earned the lead before the quarter pole and stayed on tenaciously to beat Rostropovich (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) by 1 3/4 lengths, with another Ballydoyle representative in Giuseppe Garibaldi (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) a neck back in third. “He’s done nothing but progress through the spring and I said to William to go forward,” Charlie Appleby commented. “Once he hit the front, I was confident he would see it out well.” OLD PERSIAN (GB), 126, c, 3, by Dubawi (Ire) 1st Dam: Indian Petal (GB), by Singspiel (Ire) 2nd Dam: Wood Vine, by Woodman 3rd Dam: Massaraat, by Nureyev 1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. £127,598. Lifetime Record: 8-5-1-1, £186,611. View the full article

Saif Ali’s unbeaten Main Edition (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) entered the G3 Albany S. in the shadow of two TDN Rising Stars from Ballydoyle, but ultimately she proved best in a quality renewal which is sure to have an impact on next year’s Classics. Off the mark at Windsor May 21 before deying a penalty in a Goodwood novice stakes June 1, the 7-1 shot was forced to race away from the early pace set by the Wesley Ward-trained Stillwater Cove (Quality Road) who blazed the trail far side. Pulling the centre-group along throughout under James Doyle, she stayed on gamely to hold Godolphin’s determined La Pelosa (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) by a neck at the line, with the far-side “winner” Fairyland (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) a half length away for Aidan O’Brien and her stablemate and 2-1 favourite Just Wonderful (Dansili {GB}) only 14th. “It wasn’t easy for her from our draw, but I went straight up where the [Royal] carriage went earlier,” Doyle explained. “That’s where I found myself and the pressure going onto the ground meant it must be slightly quicker, but that’s all I had as I was doing it all on my own. I had such a willing partner and she’s so brave.” Trainer Mark Johnston added, “I knew she was pretty useful and we think our 2-year-old fillies are very strong. She is one of the leading bunch, which says a lot for all the others.” MAIN EDITION (IRE), f, 2, Zoffany (Ire)–Maine Lobster, by Woodman. (62,000gns Ylg ’17 TATOCT). O-Saif Ali; B-Minch Bloodstock (IRE); T-Mark Johnston; J-James Doyle. £51,039. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, £62,295. View the full article

This year’s Royal Ascot meeting has been notable for its lack of Australian influence, but that could be put right on Saturday’s closing card with Redkirk Warrior (GB) (Notnowcato {GB}) entering the fray for the G1 Diamond Jubilee S. Amazingly, the chestnut started out over a mile and a quarter at Yarmouth in the summer of 2014 before beating the eventual G1 Irish St Leger runner-up Agent Murphy (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) at that trip at this venue. After a spell in Hong Kong, David and Ben Hayeses and Tom Dabernig’s conversion of him into leading sprint powerhouse in his new country of residence is nothing short of inspired. “He’s a lovely, relaxed horse and he’s very easy to deal with,” Ben Hayes said. “He comes here a lovely, fresh horse. When he’s had 100 days-plus off he’s got a great record, so we’re not bothered about him being fresh. It just depends how he handles the day, but he’s definitely got the ability to win.” When last seen, Redkirk Warrior was just able to give 12 pounds weight-for-age away to Merchant Navy (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) in Flemington’s G1 Newmarket H. on Mar. 10 and now he meets that former compatriot on level terms. A head separated them that day, but three months of development with some of that time under the El Dorado influence of Ballydoyle means that Merchant Navy could have closed the gap. His from-behind style, which was demonstrated again on his European debut when upstaging his new stablemate Spirit of Valor (War Front) and last year’s Diamond Jubilee runner-up Tasleet (GB) (Showcasing {Aus}) in The Curragh’s G2 Greenlands S. on May 26, is the right thing for this week with the straight track playing mainly to hold-up specialists. “We ran him at The Curragh hoping for a nice run. It was very good and we couldn’t have been happier with it, really,” Aidan O’Brien said. “It is a very competitive race. We are just delighted to have him here, really.” Both the Antipodean-European switchers have to do business with Harry Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), who is undoubtedly the leading sprinter in this hemisphere but who is worryingly 0-4 at this track. Despite having valid excuses for some of those defeats, the fact that he is unbeaten everywhere else has to cast a shadow over last year’s G1 July Cup and G1 Haydock Sprint Cup hero, who bids to complete a Group 1 sprint double this week for Godolphin. Trainer Clive Cox is unconcerned by that fact and said, “I don’t particularly lose any sleep that he has not got his head in front there. I think it’s more coincidence rather than a serious problem. Although there wasn’t a huge field, it was really pleasing [when he won the May 16 G2 Duke of York S.] at York and he came out of it well. I think, mentally, it’s always nice for most horses, especially sprinters, to get back in the groove. We were pleased he took that first test well and we’re very happy with him.” The supporting cast in a typically strong renewal includes one representing the week’s successful Wesley Ward-Joel Rosario combination in Bound For Nowhere (The Factor), who was fourth in the G1 Commonwealth Cup here last year and who comes into this off a four-length defeat of Bucchero (Kantharos) in Keeneland’s GII Shakertown S. over 5 1/2 furlongs on soft turf on Apr. 7. Bucchero was only beaten just over that margin when fifth in Tuesday’s G1 King’s Stand S., so the form has real substance. “He’s undefeated in the States so far and in his last race he bounded away from the best sprinters in the US,” Ward explained. “I think he’s going to be tough.” Last year’s winner The Tin Man (GB) (Equiano {Fr}), the G1 Qipco British Champions Sprint S. hero Librisa Breeze (GB) (Mount Nelson {GB}) and the G3 Prix de Saint-Georges scorer City Light (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) add significant depth and the former’s trainer James Fanshawe said, “He looks fantastic and seems in good form at home, so we cannot ask for much more. It is a hot race, but he loves Ascot and when he is well he always runs a good race.” Moore Success For Stoute? After one of the landmark weeks of his esteemed career, Sir Michael Stoute should be able to seal an 11th success in the G2 Hardwicke S. with Sir Evelyn De Rothschild’s ‘TDN Rising Star’ Crystal Ocean (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), who would be adding another string to his bow for the upcoming King George. Last year’s G1 St Leger runner-up handled fast ground without issue when winning a substandard renewal of the G3 Aston Park S. by six lengths at Newbury on May 19, and Ryan Moore has been let off duty by Coolmore to retain his partnership. They have done the same thing for the past two years, but 12 months ago it did not work out as his mount Dartmouth (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) was only fourth behind the re-opposing Idaho (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Barsanti (Ire) (Champs Elysees {GB}). Aidan O’Brien, who also saddles Wednesday’s G1 Prince of Wales’s S. fourth Cliffs of Moher (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), said of Idaho, who was last seen finishing a distant fourth in the June 1 G1 Coronation Cup, “He’s in good form and he won well [in the G3 Ormonde S.] at Chester. He was a little disappointing at Epsom. The ground was a little bit on the slow side and maybe that was the reason. Maybe it was the track, we are not sure. He seems to be in good form. I think he is a very straightforward horse. He very rarely runs a bad race. He doesn’t always win, but he is consistent enough.” Young Sires To Shine… The card also includes the meeting’s final juvenile contests, the Listed Chesham S. and Listed Windsor Castle S., with the market for the former dominated by the impressive May 26 Goodwood maiden winner Natalie’s Joy (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) from the Mark Johnston stable. They almost won this with the filly Nyaleti (Ire) (Arch) 12 months ago and there is no Churchill (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) or September (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) coming from Ballydoyle this time. Bought into by Merriebelle Stables, Natalie’s Joy’s part-owner Simon Chappell said, “Mark had said she’d been going very well at home before Goodwood. He’s got a good bunch of juveniles this year, but we didn’t expect her to win like that. It’s very exciting going to Royal Ascot with a favourite and she did look special at Goodwood, but the Derby winner [Masar] was beaten in this last year.” If Natalie’s Joy disappoints, it could still be a big-news day for Coolmore if Godolphin’s June 6 Kempton novice stakes scorer Beyond Reason (Ire) (Australia {GB}) benefits to provide their first-season sire with a first black-type win. “She got beat at Newmarket on her first start finishing second before winning impressively last time out at Kempton,” trainer Charlie Appleby said. “Stepping up to seven furlongs will really suit her.” In the Windsor Castle, Ward and Rosario pair up with the Ramseys’ impressive May 24 Belmont maiden special weight scorer Moonlight Romance (Liaison). The usual bunch of first-crop sires are represented in this, with Dom Carlos (Ire) (Gale Force Ten {GB}), James Watt (Ire) (Morpheus {GB}) and Jungle Inthebungle (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}) three with sound prospects on recent evidence. There is an unbeaten, unexposed hotpot in the Wokingham H. in Godolphin’s Dreamfield (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), a 1.1-million gns son of Izzi Top (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) that John Gosden has brought back from injury. “Everyone says that Dreamfield is the handicap certainty of the week, but I have never met one in my life, yet,” Gosden said. “He’s in good form and has worked fine at home. He obviously missed a year and a half and is not very experienced. I have been trying to box clever, probably too clever.” View the full article