Elarqam A Guineas Attraction

[Wandering Eyes]

Trying to stop Ballydoyle in the G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas over the past 10 years has been tough. Ask Jim Bolger and Richard Hannon, who have both had favourites beaten in that period, as well as countless others with Aidan O’Brien registering seven of his 11 wins since Henrythenavigator (Kingmambo) denied New Approach (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in 2008. This year it is Mark Johnston who is charged with denying the Rosegreen operation with Elarqam (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who is as exciting as it gets and has a valid favourite’s opportunity after a perfect reintroduction in Newmarket’s G1 2000 Guineas. Although Shadwell’s son of Attraction (GB) (Efisio {GB}) lost his unbeaten record when only fourth three weeks ago, he would have hewn great improvement from that effort, which was characterised by freshness in the beginning and rustiness coming down into the “dip”, which may have cost him a better placing. The Curragh’s terrain is certain to suit more and it will be no surprise to see Jim Crowley go on at the head of affairs and make this a true test.

The one unknown with Elarqam is ground this quick, with his three outings coming on ground no faster than good, but his sire was rapid on it and his dam had identical conditions when beating Alexander Goldrun (Ire) (Gold Away {Ire}) in the 2004 G1 Irish 1000 Guineas. “We’ve got no ground preferences. He has only run the three times on varying ground and we will just take it as it comes,” his trainer said. “The field looks ideal and the horse is in great order. Everything is good.”

With regards to the Aidan O’Brien-trained quartet, Johnston is looking at last year’s champion juvenile US Navy Flag (War Front). “Obviously he [Aidan O’Brien] has got four in it which makes it a little bit more difficult,” he said. “I’ve got the greatest of respect for US Navy Flag. He was a great horse last year. He had enough defeats last year and bounced back from them at the highest level. You’ve got to respect him despite his last run, but basically we just care that our horse runs up to his best.”

Ryan Moore is on US Navy Flag, who took at least five starts to reach his peak in 2017 and thrives on a heavy workload. He is War Front’s best chance of a European Classic yet, being a full-brother to the similarly hard-grafting Roly Poly capable of moving up several rungs of the ladder each time he runs. Were he from any other stable, the idea that he could turn around a 15-length drubbing by Gustav Klimt (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) from their encounter in the Apr. 14 G3 Ballylinch Stud 2,000 Guineas Trial S. at Leopardstown would be ludicrous, but this is Ballydoyle and US Navy Flag has already found over two stone of progression to be fifth in the G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains at ParisLongchamp May 13. He was the chief victim of the much-criticised turf conditions there and was forced to be ridden aggressively from his wide draw, so Ryan Moore will be able to take his time here and ride more of a race.

Where Gustav Klimt is concerned, it is hard to know what to expect as in the last four weeks he has gone from hot ante-post favourite for the 2000 Guineas to stable second-string in this equivalent. Even before he ran flat when sixth at Newmarket, he had begun to lose momentum in the betting and on that showing he has very little prospects of reversing the 1 1/2-length deficit with Elarqam. Added to that are genuine stamina concerns and it is not difficult to see why Moore sided with US Navy Flag. “Gustav Klimt seems to be fine, obviously we were a little bit disappointed with him and we are hoping he’ll leave that run behind him,” O’Brien said. “He shows plenty of pace at home so we’ll find out a lot at The Curragh looking to Ascot, whether we go for the St James’s Palace or come back in trip with him. I think he’ll appreciate the fast ground, as he’s a good-moving horse. US Navy Flag is by War Front and out of a Galileo mare so the better ground would suit him.”

The unbeaten Zihba (Ire) (Choisir {Aus}) has been acquired by Al Shaqab Racing after beating the older horses in the G3 Amethyst S. over this trip at Leopardstown on May 13, and the last to do that was Mustajeeb (GB) (Nayef), who went on to be third behind Kingman (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) here four years ago. Trainer Fozzy Stack said, “He’s in good shape. We’re happy with him and hopefully he’ll run a big race. If he runs his race we can’t ask any more than that.”

Another live outsider is Godolphin’s Symbolization (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), whose winning time when giving away abundant weight in a Newmarket mile handicap on 2000 Guineas day compared favourably with the big race itself. That followed a second to the subsequent listed winner Purser (Mizzen Mast) in a seven-furlong conditions event there Apr. 17 and his trainer is keen to try him in better company. “Symbolization is a colt who has progressed through the season to date,” Charlie Appleby commented. “He got beaten on first start at Newmarket, but he has subsequently came on and won a nice handicap under top weight and the form of his first run at Newmarket got a boost at the weekend, too. He’s come out of his last run very well.”

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