The gates flew back sending the small but potent field of five, away on the mile and a half trip across the famous Ascot turf. As expected the much anticipated Godolphin plan sprang into life. Mahmood Al Zarooni, trainer of Rewilding needed a strong, constant pace to get the best from his charge, so to this end, fellow stablemate and all round bunny, Debussy, was unceremoniously thrown to the wolves. Ahmed Ajtebi clicked up Debussy from the outside slot, fanned him across those drawn below him, and set about dictating play. His sole objective, to provide the perfect tempo for the stable star Rewilding, last start winner of the Group One Prince Of Wales Stakes. From the three hole, Nathaniel pinged out with St Nicholas Abbey on his inside, both intent on being in the best positions when they finally dropped the hammer. Dropped late into the race for a hefty fee, Natheniel’s connections wanted a premium return for their investment. The ideal way to achieve that as far as John Gosden was concerned, was to have the three year old Galileo colt take first run and to hopefully make the rest toil under their weight while in pursuit. As Debussy quickly opened up a nice lead, Billy Buick eased his mount across the face of St Nicholas Abbey and settled on the paint behind the pace setter. Settling into the game as they thundered headlong down the hill toward Swinley Bottom, the pride of Sir Michael Stoute’s yard, Workforce, the Derby and Arc champion fell straight onto the bit for Ryan Moore. He smiled to himself. He knew that the pace would suit Rewilding who was on his back, but it also played to the strengths of Godolphin’s three main challengers. Moore was one happy little jockey person. So too was Frankie. Atjtebi was going his job well. Dettori was a man who liked a cold ride. He was more than content to let the others cut at each other’s throats, in a desperate attempt to grab the big bag of lollies. He also had reason to smile, for he knew that as they took turns applying the blade, they would also be carting him into the race. They had, in what to the riders must have seemed a blink of the eye, whizzed around Swinleys and begun the grind up the back straight. Debussy still led by a few lengths, but even his most ardent admirers would have conceded that he was pretty much a shot duck. By the time they reached the point of no return, Ajtebi’s mount was beginning to put in the short ones. Within a furlong, Buick veered off the heels of the now flagging Debussy and made his dash for glory. With nearly a stone up his sleeve, Billy set Nathaniel alight; he charged two clear of St Nicholas Abbey who for a second or two, couldn’t respond. Up the rise they swept, Nathaniel full of the fruits of life, a couple clear of St Nicholas Abbey, now being scrubbed along, his ears pinned to the back of his melon. He wasn’t making an inch, but neither was he ceding ground. Workforce blasted past Debussy as though he’d been nailed to the fence, and hot on the Derby winner’s clacker came the ever present Rewilding, looking for all the world a menace. Driven for dear life, Nathaniel scampered around the corner and went for home. Never had two and a half furlongs looked so daunting to Billy. He had some horse under him, but he also know that those behind, giving chase, were the cream of the crop. The first to mount a serious challenge was St Nicholas Abbey who had been ridden a treat by young Joseph O’Brien. Pulling the persuader at the two furlong pole he delivered a couple of cracks. The Montjeu colt dug deep and from that well of reserves, he pulled forth an effort that saw him range up alongside the brave Nathaniel, who by now was well and truly under the pump. With a little more than a furlong to travel, St Nicholas Abbey, now having dispatched Nathaniel to the beaten brigade, began to feel some pressure of his own. Joseph didn't have to look, he could hear them coming, and he knew that they meant business. O’Brien pulled the waddie again, but this time it wasn't just to keep the horse’s mind on the job at hand. St Nicholas lifted, but so too did the now hard charging Workforce. Down the centre of the course he thundered, Rewilding hot on his heels. They quickly dropped off Nathaniel. Below the distance St Nicholas Abbey was assailed by the brute that was Workforce. And what a force of work he was. Ryan Moore had to do no more than keep the monster honest. He tore past St Nicholas Abbey who had no answer to the power and majesty of the prince of the turf. It was left to Dettori to mount an effort to snatch second from the willing St Nicholas Abbey, but try as he might, the Joseph O’Brien mount prevailed in the drive to the line. But there was only one true star in the Group One King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Workforce. With giant strides, he not only humbled the best on offer, he smashed them into the Ascot turf.
Can't see it unfolding that way myself, but good write up anyways, il go 1st Nathaniel, 2nd Rewilding, 3rd SNA 4th WF 5th Debussy
Just ignore Stereo mate.... he just loves sticking his beak in even if he's clueless on the subject in question.
Nice commentary, Cyclonic! Not so sure about the result, though. There's not much between them on the book, but Rewilding may be the improver here.
There are actually some Scots on here that ya can have a decent debate/discussion with. Some of the others however.... words can't do it justice!
Nice piece Cyc. I think that's the way it will pan out. Can't help thinking that AoB almost knows St Nicholas won't win hence the jockey booking and the decision to only run one horse - been a while since he did that in a race of this magnitude.
Tam, I was a huge fan of Rewilding going into the Derby. I thought he ran well. Then when he ran down So You Think, I was amazed. I think he's a serious horse. But I think Workforce is something special. Chippy, I wasn't too impressed with St Nic's last run where he really had to work to bet the better of Midday. But his previous win was fantastic. He's the surprise horse for me.
"Well personally I'd rather be a race horse" Maltese Mick, 13th May 2011" ** Mr Maltese Mick: Please don't make strange remarks like this on my bluddy birthday! Cyclonic: Another extraordinary essay. Hope it pans out for you. Agree with you on the winner, as long as he has recovered from the grinding slog with SYT at Sandown? (**Not if you were a selling plater with, say, Mr.Grayson?).
Chippy....He only had one in the Eclipse. He knows Rewilding and Workforce need a strong pace, so he isn't worried about the pace being strong, afterall SNA is a G1 winner over a mile, so he may have an advantage if there's no pace
KS.I,m sure you think Sir Alex is knowledgeable.<wink> Done your 4 in a little petrol tankee today,so good luck.
