Radiator runs on Saturday and has 5 rivals – http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/.../racecard/626660/coral-distaff-fillies-listed I think however that I may have been a bit hasty in dismissing the rest of the field earlier in the week. On reflection Queen Catrine ran a very decent race, under a welter impost, at Royal Ascot, when probably given too much to do, and the filly of old boy Gosden’s is a half sister to 2,000 Guineas winner, Footstepsinthesand, she won her maiden by 4.5 lengths, last time, and is being talked about as the reincarnation of Pegasus in certain quarters. In saying that, though, I still expect Radiator to oblige especially as Sir Mick knows how to win the heat having won it twice in the past 5 years.
With just six facing the starter, it does not look like anybody will get rich betting on the Coral Distaff. I am expecting a change of tactics on Radiator with James Doyle reverting back to front-running on Sir Michael Stoute’s filly in a race lacking any other obvious pace. Doyle nearly managed to make all on Noble Mission last week so he can judge a race from the front. Could she be another late bloomer like last year’s winner? On the ratings, Queen Catrine is the one but whilst it should be harder to find trouble in running in a small field, last time was a handicap and she has been well beaten in the Nell Gwyn and the Pouliches. None of her races this term suggest she retains her juvenile form. The dark horse of the race is Salisbury maiden winner Belle D’or, from a yard that could probably win a race with the trainer’s hack right now. I think it is reasonable to assume that she is well regarded if she is stepping up to this company after just two races.
I think I am inclined to agree. There was no sign of Sir Michael playing the “greasy ground” card that John Gosden played for The Fugue later on, so I think it is probably time to accept that the wide margin win was a one off and she is actually an ordinary filly. If we are lucky she will produce something worthy of her pedigree when they pack her off to the paddocks. Funny how it was not too greasy for the winner, although she needed the extra fourteen yards over the mile to get there...
Yes, I feel you may be right. Radiator hasn’t fared too badly on the track (a winner and Listed placed) but surely it can’t be that long until the decision is taken to retire the old girl to the breeding shed. She may not have won a Group 1 herself but given her breeding it wouldn’t be the greatest surprise if in 4-5 years a mini Radiator was winning one.
Agree Sir Barney: beautifully bred and has a lifetime ahead of her being covered by Galileo line, Never Bend line and Monsun line sires (well one try with the latter sometime).
Quick update re this one who I went on at length about for a while! I was always very keen on Radiator and she fared quite well for Sir Michael winning her maiden and then going on to be Listed placed. I had thought this one had been packed off to the breeding sheds (Radiator that is not Sir Michael) but no she has now appeared across the water, in the old US of A, and is in training with old boy Bill Mott (she remains under the ownership of Juddmonte). Anyway, Radiator made her debut in America last week, on the turf at Keeneland, and duly won an 8.5 furlong Allowance race, worth $37,800 to the winner, at 5/1. I’d like to say I was on big time, but I wasn’t unfortunately as I never even knew she was bloomin’ running! Radiator remains on the radar then and appears to be very hot right now. Maybe a step into Graded company will be the next step.
