International Racing

Yeah that's him Kenny.

 

According to the 'International Racing' show on Sky Sports there are no plans for a show in any race at Royal Ascot. A great pity as it always interesting to see how the Australian (Choisir) and American horses match up with the best of the European nags.

 

We've tasted a bit of success over the years at Royal Ascot Kenny.

As you mentioned, Choisir won the King's Stand and the Golden Jubilee.

Then the old war horse Takeover Target won the 2006 King's Stand. He returned in 07 to run second in the Jubilee and in 08 finished second in the King's Stand.

Miss Andretti won the 07 King's Stand with Takeover Target finishing third, just in front of Magnus who finished fourth.

Scenic Blast won the 2009 King's Stand.

Starspangledbanner won the 2010 Golden Jubilee. He'd go on to win the July Cup a month later.

Then Black Caviar won the 2012 Diamond Jubilee.

I'm not too sure, but we may have a runner or two this year, but for the most part, owners have since decided to bypass Royal Ascot, which is a bit of pity. But it's nice to see the Americans stepping in to fill the void. Royal Ascot is a global must see for racing fans.

 

Hot on the sprinters in the 'land downunder'!

 

The G1 $1,000,000 Arkansas Derby. Magnum Moon. Sorry about the commentary, it's awful.

 

The G1 Prix de Atlantique was run yesterday with the champion Bold Eagle (6) starting a hot favourite. He stared wide from the mobile barrier and was rated to perfection by master horseman Franck Nivard. The wonderful Belina Josselyn (2) took it to the big horse in the straight, but his strength proved too much for the gallant mare. Bird Parker (5) ran on well at the end to take third.

 

Wow - that really was a whoosh!

 

Dunno if this will work but, hopefully here's clip of Cracksman winning the Prix Ganay today at Longchamp:

https://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/brilliant-cracksman-returns-in-style/147008

Nope, sorry, don't think it will from this URL, but if you go to sportinglife.com and click on news item of Cracksman winning the race, that should do it.

 

Full race here Swanny

 

When he gets it right, Pakistan Star is one hell of a horse.

 

The Kentucky Derby win by Justify. He became the first horse since 1882 to win the Derby without a 2yo run. Ballydoyle's much hyped Menddelssohn with Ryan Moore in the saddle put in a shocker and finished last. Scroll down and hit replay. The place was packed.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...018-race-highlights-video-replay-and-reaction

 

Yep, Cyc, the messy conditions and the rough old race proved his undoing. Justify avoided all the bumping and boring. Mendelssohn's a good racehorse but most certainly needs a fast track to show his best? Doubt if he was good enough for this anyway?

 

From AAP Racing Australia. (Great story of a man who, with a serious health issue, overcame adversity. Bravo to jockey Harry Coffey who has just won the Group 1 Australasian Oaks on Sopressa! ):

"Harry Coffey has claimed an emotional win in the Australasian Oaks at Morphettville, his first at Group One level, aboard Sopressa for long-time supporter and friend, trainer Darren Weir.
Coffey, 22, has overcome adversity to follow his dream to be a jockey, undergoing regular treatment throughout his life for cystic fibrosis."

http://www.aapmegaform.com.au/news/article.aspx?article-id=455684

 

The Kentucky Oaks was run last Friday. On paper the race looked a match between 14 Monomoy Girl (blue and white) and 10 Midnight Bisou in red. They finished first and third. I shouldn't really say this but what the hell, I tend to struggle a bit with US callers.

 

Dreadful conditions Oddy, thanks for the clip. The distance in the Belmont might test him though.

 

After the two races in atrocious conditions Justify has had in the Derby and Preakness i think even though he looks a beast stepping to 12f he may be worth taking on.

 

One of the premier races on the global trotting front takes place this weekend in Sweden. The G1 Invitational Elitloppet "The Elite Race", a heat and final series run over the mile at the Solvella track in Stockholm, has brought together 16 of the best horses in the world. The event sees two heats of eight with the first four in each race progressing to the final. All races will be mobile starts and take place on the same day.

HEAT ONE.

1. DREAMMOKO. Holland. First year in the seniors and did well in the Gran Premio della Lotteria in Naples on May 1st. Has good gate speed and has a chance to run into the first four from this alley. 5-1.

2. RAJESH FACE. Sweden. Another young horse with outstanding talent, but sadly, also has his share of bad manners. Can run brilliant time over the mile but has galloped in 9 of his 29 starts so has to be taken on trust. The good gate could see him into the final, but needs to be on his best behavior. 5-1.

3. LIONEL. Norway. A seasoned combatant of the highest order. Has won the Grand Prix d'Amerique, Grand Prix de Paris and the Prix de l'Atlantique. As he's more a stayer than a sprinterso the mile won't help him, but he is all heart and has to be some chance of a top 4 finish in the heat. 11-1.

4. VOLSTEAD. Sweden. Another strong horse, somewhat like Lionel. Can sustain a high pace. It's thought that others will have better gate speed so he'll need to be rated to perfection and find a covered up position in transit. 5-1.

5. BOLD EAGLE. France. Arguably the world's best trotter. Has won just about everything. Twice winner of the Grand Prix d'Amerique and the Grand Prix de Paris. The first horse in 41 years to win the French Triple Crown. Add in the 3 and 4 year old Championships and a host of other G1 wins and you end up with a legend. The Elitloppet is about the only important European race he's yet to win. Ran a track record here last year in his heat, but suffered for it in the final when he could only finish fourth. 7-10.

6. MAORI TIME. Australia. After this year running an Australian record and world leading mark for the mile, leading throughout, connections accepted the invite to the great race. The mare arrived in Amsterdam on May 9 and made the trip to Sweden by road. This is a huge jump in class and she should be found wanting, but it will be interesting to see her in action. 50-1.

7. TAKETHEM. Denmark. An older horse who's been unlucky with injuries during his career. Was a crack 3 year old. He came with a withering burst to run second in the Copenhagen Cup 2011m earlier this month. Would be an interest small place bet proposition at the odds. 33-1.

8. UP AND QUICK/ France. Very smart horse who's won both the Prix d'Amerique and Grand Prix de Paris. Both are gut busting, staying events with the latter being over 4150m. He's very versatile though as he's won the last two renewals of the G2 French sprint race Criterium de Vitesse de Basse Normandie over the flying mile. His 2017 time of 1:09:4 is a race record. 20-1.

HEAT TWO.

1. RINGOSTAR TREB. Italy. A war horse who's competed in Finland, France, Holland, Italy, Norway and Sweden. Last up made a one act affair of the G1 Olympiatravet 2140m when he flew the gates and led all the way. A most impressive win. Has the honour of being the second fast miler in Europe behind Propulsion. Should easily make the final. 4-5.

2, COKSTILE. Norway. Young horse who won the Norsk Travderby last year but came unstuck in the G1 European 4 year old Championships at Vincennes. One run in this time was in a restricted race at Bjerke, the home of trotting in Norway. Has his work cut out here. 33-1.

3. ORLANDO JET. Austria. Races in Germany and proving to be a bit of a story. Has won 11 of 14 including both the 3 and 4 Y.O. Breeders Crown. Only the one start this year, in early May. Bounced straight to the front and had an effortless win over the German star Cash Hanover. This is a big step up in class though, but looks as though he's in the running for a first four finish which will secure a Final berth. 33-1.

4. PROPULSION. Sweden. Not only Europe's fastest trotter, he's the second fastest in the world. Twice European Champion. Twice Norrbotten's Great Prize. A multiple G1 winner who's run twice run second in the Elitloppet Final. He's in this up to his arm pits. 1-1.

5. NADAL BROLINE. Finland. Won the Algot Scott's Memory which is one of the qualifying races for the Elitloppet. The old bloke is usually a little below the elite class but is honest enough to snag a top 4 placing in the heat. 25-1.

6. PASTORE BOB. Sweden. Another who qualified for the Elitloppet. He had an easy win in the Finnish Finlandia-Ajo where he led all the way. It was his biggest win to date. He has a massive task on his hands here. But does have gate speed. 50-1.

7. UZA JOSSLYN. Switzerland. Honest mare. Doesn't usually show much gate speed, but can get home with a rush. The distance might be a bit too short but might pick up enough of them in the run to the post to earn a top 4 slot. He biggest win came last November when she won the Gran Premio delle Nazioni at San Siro in Milan. 12-1.

8. AMIRAL SACHA. France. An honest type who won the Grand Prix de Wallonie at Mons in Belgium in 2016. Been on the podium in G1 races in France on a few occasions. He's won over a million euros in prize money, but might struggle a bit here. 33-1.