Yeah - did wonder about Seville and if he'd actually run or not! Midday was only ever Workforce's replacement if the rain didn't come so neither is too much of a shock. Still can't make my mind up after looking at it all again last night. At his best & with seemingly all coming right for him then I'd have to go for Workforce but with no confidence!
I have not been to Ascot in years so I got an early (i.e. cheap) train ticket and I thought there is bound to be a decent field this year as there is no outstanding middle distance colt. So what happens? Only five are showing up: Debussy, Rewilding, St Nicholas Abbey, Workforce and Nathaniel. It is a classy quintet so hopefully it is a classy race. Although Debussy has won at the highest level, there has to be more than a suspicion that he is in the line-up as a pacemaker for Rewilding (same connections) because his European form is not at this level. John Gosden will know where he stands with Debussy as he used to train him.
Rewilding, SNA and WF are are high class horses no question, whilst Nathaniel is unproven at G1 level, but his last run does suggest he is capable of winning a G1. So it is a race of high quality regardless of the fact there are only 4 contenders. Debussy is not a legitimate contender, he is a prime example of why I take turf G1 winners in America with a pinch of salt, the standard is dire over there
KS...what about Kalanisi,Fantastic Light,Conduit,High Chaparral,Shirocco,Daylami,Pilsudski?...all trans Atlantic turf winners..
And of the fairer sex can I throw Ouija Board, Midday and Goldikova into the mix? All multiple Grade One winners in GB/Ire as well as US. I take Shergys point though, GB/Ire turf racing is superior to the American stuff but there are good winners there too.
I was a big Pebbles fan as well Ron. I remember her winning the Guineas with Philip Robinsosn, who must have either been very young then or is positively ancient now (although not as old as me of course!) I was working in a bookies in West London that year and we had a big tip for Katies in the Irish 1000 Guineas, which the on-fire Robinson also rode to victory.
I remember that race as a lad Fulke..and also her crashing the Slip Anchor/Commanche Run Champions Stakes Party...what a filly.
I was in Toronto (with my wife) when Pebbles won the Breeders Cup at Woodbine. I was attending a conference but could have got to see her. Problem was we wouldn't have got back in time for our flight back. Having checked out of the hotel and not being able to find a bookmaker anywhere, I started to panic and we went back to the hotel and persuaded the maids to let us watch the race on TV in one of the bedrooms they were preparing. Just in time for the race. The speed indicator went off the bar and Pebbles scorched home smashing the course record. We were jumping around like lunatics and the maids thought we were mental. I remember it as though it were yesterday.
It is difficult to ascertain what O’Brien is doing with jockeys this season. The fact that he is putting his lad up on St Nicholas Abbey could be read as showing supreme confidence in his ability or just nepotism, but I guess we will have to see what happens in the race. I looked at the rest of the Ascot card and I think that I am going to be struggling to find a decent bet as I expect Lightning Cloud to be favourite in the opening Ladies’ race (would be funny if Tevez won) and I won’t touch the two-year-olds or the twenty-four runner cavalry charge.
Wow a real blast from the past there for me Ron. The second horse was one of my favourite horses at the time. Strawberry Road was a Queenslander. I don't know who rode him that day, but it wasn't the best ride I've seen. He was on the fence behind the leader. He was then taken wide to make his run, allowing Pebbles to get the run that should have been his. Thanks for the vid.
Nig favourite of mine too. It was my best mate's favourite horse becase his cat was called Pebbles. Funny the things that get you into racing eh?
First time I've seen this Pebbles mare, though I'd heard much about her. I'm much too young Great mare, great race!
