I think poor Tom Queally, in some respects, is caught between a rock and a hard place. He all of a sudden finds himself aboard a one in a life time horse, an animal all riders dream about, and then had to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders. He not only has the eyes of the world watching his every move, he has every Tom, Dick and Harry looking to carve up his performances whenever he throws a leg over. There are some who to this day, claim Queally's ride on Frankel in the Guineas, was a pretty ordinary effort. As far as they are concerned, it was the sheer brilliance of the animal that saved his bacon. I couldn't disagree more. After traveling the first two furlongs in about twenty five seconds, he found himself absolutely cruising in front. With a lap full of horse under him Queally had two choices, hold up or let the big bloke stride. He did the sensible thing, he gave Frankel a fraction more rein. With the brake off, he reeled off a blistering twenty two seconds for the next quarter. Having reached the half way mark, he'd now spent some serious fuel. But so too had those who were giving chase. Through the third quarter he charged. He stopped the clock at the twenty four second mark., By now, all, including Frankel, were well and truly off the bit. Frankel was a very tired horse, but those in pursuit were just as knackered, if not more so. This was attested to by the fact that the horse could only stagger home the last two furlongs in just over twenty six seconds. Queally and Frankel had run them legless.
There is an old adage that says you can't burn a candle at both ends. Frankel spent his cash early on, in doing so, he also forced the hand of others. I firmly believe that if he'd been asked to easy his way through the first half of the race, the sectionals in the second half of the race, would have been reversed. The horse had an amazing turn of foot. They had their chance to run him down, but were not up to the job. They had the sit on him, and failed to reel him in. Which leads us to the St. James Stakes. here like others, I tend to agree with those who believe that Tom Queally wasn't seen at his best. He sat just behind the pace of the pack that chased the tearaway leader. I don't know why, but for some reason, he looked as though he had a rush of blood to the head. Panic maybe? I've no idea, but he set sail after the leader well before anyone expected. And for this, he's been given a bit of a schalacking in some quarters, for the effort. In believing he went too early, I'm assuming I know more about Frankel and his prospective abilities that Tom Queally. In believing that Queally went too early, I then have to believe that I know more about the opposition than he did on the day. I have that choice. I claim that right, to a degree. In doing so, I'm not for a second suggesting that the ride was a shocker. He knew much better that me that Frankel was a freak. He had the option of going to the well more often that any he raced against. That he chose to pull the pin is testimony to the faith and knowledge Queally had in Frankel. As with the Guineas, when he went, the rest had to respond. Some were able to make an earlier effort and others, like those placed behind the champion, made later moves. Excelebration, much admired by many an expert eye, strove with all his might to pick up the great horse, but all to no avail. I have to believe that Tom Queally was better placed to know Frankel than me. His ride in the St James Palace stakes, exuded a confidence that was all there for us to see. Maybe he went a shade to early for mine, but top flight riders can take a race by the scruff of the neck and shake the life out of it. Thomas Queally did that in both the Guineas and the St. James, and as such, must be accorded the respect he deserves for taking the bull by the horns.
