During this time of the year at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas, they run a carnival called The Festival of the South, where one of the feature races is the G1 Apple Blossom, a race restricted to Fillies and Mares 4 years and older. It's run over 8 1/2 F and is worth US$1,000,000. I'm sort of torn between posting the result and just letting the race unfold. I've opted for the latter. It turned out to be quite a finish.
The US$500,000 G3 Count Fleet Sprint. 6F. 4 Years and older. Whitmore was looking to be the first horse in the history of the race 3 times. No 9, Black and pink. I'm not saying he won, but he could have .... maybe .... but then again, maybe not.
Japanese 2000 Guineas run just over a week ago. No1, Contrail. Blue and Red, White cap. Inside stall. (A terrible call.)
The 2,000,000 pounds, G1 Champion's Mile run today in Hong Kong. A good old fashioned battle to the line.
The G1 Chairman's Sprint was expected to be a clash between the boom sprinter Aethero and the the 10 time winner Hot King Prawn, but it wasn't to be. The old boy Mr. Stunning lived up to his name. No3. Red and Whire.
Many moons ago we had an open class stayer in Sydney called Pirate Bird, they used these tactics on him all the time. It wasn't too long before he gained a huge following. Of course he'd get run down most of the time, but every now and then he'd pinch one. Race fans loved him. The mare in the race below gave the race fans something extra for their entry fee. A wonderful memory.
Can Eagle Way spot them a stone and beating in the G3 2400m Queen Mother Memorial Cup at Sha Tin? It's a big ask, but we'll know in a g\few minutes. He's about 7-2.
The 3200m G1 Tenno Sho (Emperor's Cup) held at Kyoto last weekend. Fierement, who went into the race as the even money favourite, was looking to become the fifth horse to win the Emperor's Cup two years running. He prevailed in the tightest of finishes. No14. Black, red crossed sashes, yellow striped sleeves and pink cap.
If you drive out of Melbourne in early May, and head off along the Great Ocean Road for a somewhere around 260ks, you'll come to a place called Warrnambool. At this time of the year, one of the iconic, Australian steeplechase races, the Grand Annual, can be found. It's contested over 5500m and is said to have more obstacles that any other steeple chase in the world, 33 on total. It's an odd race in that when entering the straight the first time, the horses turn left, but on the second lap, they turn right. The Warrnambool 2 day meeting is a highlight of country racing which normally draws large crowds. The virus has put a stop to that though. The race was run yesterday.
Phew, that was a real test of stamina. Good to see no falls, and every horse got home safely. Thought the ground looked pretty nigh perfect? A very unusual track conformation too. Many thanks for clip, Cyc.
Here's an interesting prospect, his name is Russian Camelot. He's an Irish son of Camelot from a Cape Cross mare who was bred to Northern Hemisphere time. He was the the youngest three year old in the South Australian Derby last weekend, where he spotted them nearly 5 months in age. Until the virus crisis, there was talk about returning the horse to the UK to take a crack at the classics. I don't think he's up to that class, but the win on Saturday has lifted him to the head of some betting charts for the Melbourne Cup. He sits 3 deep at the rear, and was pretty green in the straight. From a middle gate. No 4, blue, checked sleeves and cap.
Man, what a super cool ride by the jockey! A talented racehorse, but, as you inferred, maybe not quite up to the UK and/or other Northern Hemisphere classics? He will continue to do very well downunder, if kept in training there, IMHO.
Yesterday, Maxime Guyon gave a masterful display up front aboard Shaman, a son of Shamardal, in winning the G2 Prix D'Harcourt. Last year's Arc placed Sottsass started favourite and never look a chance.