Tag: Coltrane (Ire)

Doncaster: Can Coltrane Do It Again In The Doncaster Cup?

Causing an upset when edging out Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}) in a thriller for last year's G2 Doncaster Cup, one of the staying division's leaders Coltrane (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) returns to Town Moor for another encounter with his nemesis on Friday. Having won Ascot's G3 Sagaro S. and the G2 Lonsdale Cup at York and been runner-up in the G1 Gold Cup in the interim, Mick and Janice Mariscotti's stalwart is better than ever at the age of six and is the one with the target on his back this time.

Andrew Balding holds Coltrane close to his heart and is relishing another battle royal. “The great thing about him is he seems to be effective on any ground and in any sort of style of race, which is a big help for these stayers,” he said. “He obviously won the race last year, but he does carry a penalty this year which makes life a lot tougher. It is not a straightforward task, but the horse is really well and he seems to thrive on his racing.”

Trueshan has been absent since finishing fourth behind Coltrane in the Sagaro in May and has undergone a wind operation, so the star stayer of 2021 has questions to answer here. Normandie Stud's progressive Ebor H. runner-up Sweet William (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) represents the Gosdens, who have a line on these through their Gold Cup hero Courage Mon Ami (GB) (Frankel {GB}).

“We think there's more improvement to come and we think he might make up into an Ascot Gold Cup and Goodwood Cup type of horse next year,” jockey Robert Havlin said of the Normandie Stud homebred. “Since we put blinkers on he's been ultra consistent. He's won over two miles and the Ebor was obviously a drop back in trip. He gets the trip well so there are a lot of positives, especially after all the rain. He doesn't need soft ground, but he handles it very well.”

 

Inquisitively Takes On Big Evs In The Flying Childers

Also at Doncaster on Friday is the G2 Carlsberg Danish Pilsner Flying Childers S., where Wee Sean Gan's Listed Roses S. scorer Inquisitively (GB) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}) looks to turn the tables on Big Evs (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) after their prior meeting in Royal Ascot's Listed Windsor Castle S. Trainer Kevin Philippart De Foy is concerned about the slower ground for Inquisitively, however. “The ground would be a question mark, he won on fast ground at York and so there is a question mark over soft conditions,” he said.  “The horse won well at York and I think the course will suit him. It's a very flat, straight course and very straightforward. He has been in good form since his race at York, I think he took a step forward from that race. He's very straightforward and professional, I don't think anything will be an issue other than the question over the ground.”

 

All Nine Stand Their Ground For St Leger

There were no withdrawals from Saturday's G1 Betfred St Leger at Doncaster on Thursday, with the major news concerning the decision of Frankie Dettori to ride Juddmonte's Arrest (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) ahead of the fellow Gosden representative Gregory (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}). That leaves Kieran Shoemark with the task of steering the latter, who captured the G2 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot for Wathnan Racing.

“I'm very happy with my mount in the race and wouldn't swap him,” Shoemark said. “As soon as Frankie made up his mind I found out. He's a high-profile horse in a high-profile race. He's one of the market leaders and to be riding a favourite in a British Classic is hugely exciting. It's where I want to be, so it's a privilege not pressure and I look forward to it.”

Also representing the Gosdens is Qatar Racing's Melrose H. winner Middle Earth (GB) (Roaring Lion), while The King & The Queen's G3 Gordon S.-winning TDN Rising Star Desert Hero (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Ballydoyle number one Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), who catapulted himself into the picture with his impressive G2 Great Voltigeur S. success, are other notables.

 

The post Doncaster: Can Coltrane Do It Again In The Doncaster Cup? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Mastercraftsman’s Coltrane In Tune In The Lonsdale

Mick and Janice Mariscotti's ultra-consistent 6-year-old gelding Coltrane (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}–Promise Me {Ire}, by Montjeu {Ire}) settled for placings in this term's G1 Gold Cup and G1 Goodwood Cup and exacted revenge on Courage Mon Ami (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Quickthorn (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) with a determined effort in Friday's G2 Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup at York.

Coltrane, a 14-length runner-up in this marathon contest last year, had risen through the staying ranks to notch victories in last term's G2 Doncaster Cup and this term's G3 Sagaro S. and raced in fourth through the early stages. Inching into third at halfway, the 11-4 second favourite made continued headway to wrest control from habitual frontrunner Quickthorn approaching the two pole and was driven out in the latter stages to withstand the late threat of Courage Mon Ami by 1 1/2 lengths in game fashion. Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) fared best of the remainder and stayed on to finish a half-length adrift in third.

“That was fully deserved, he's been incredibly consistent and he is adored by everyone,” commented Anna Lisa Balding. “Tom [Marquand] gave Quickthorn such a great ride at Goodwood and he fully deserved that, but it was Coltrane's turn today and he's done it in brilliant style. I'm thrilled to win another Group 2 for Mick and Janice [Mariscotti] as they have been incredibly patient. He had surgery two years ago and he hasn't looked back since, but that is why he doesn't go to Australia. He's like a pet, he's adorable and I think it will be Ascot [Champions Day] next as he ran so well in the [G2 British Champions Long Distance Cup] race last year.”

Stable companion Nate The Great was pulled up in the home straight and vanned off the track for treatment. “Hopefully Nate The Great will be okay,” Balding added. “They have put a compression boot on him and taken him back to the stables. The vets are there and they are doing what they can.”

Reflecting on the performance of Gold Cup hero Courage Mon Ami, Franke Dettori said, “He wasn't keen, but it took him a while to warm up and then he came good. The [Group 1] penalty and shorter trip made Coltrane a better horse than me. We didn't let Quickthorn go today and that made a big difference. It was the right result today, Coltrane and my horse first and second in the Gold Cup and first and second today. The [G1] Prix du Cadran over two-and-a-half [miles] would be tailor-made for him and I guess he'll come back for the Gold Cup next year without me.”

 

Friday, York, Britain
WEATHERBYS HAMILTON LONSDALE CUP S.-G2, £250,000, York, 8-25, 3yo/up, 16f 56yT, 3:27.92, g/f.
1–COLTRANE (IRE), 131, g, 6, by Mastercraftsman (Ire)
1st Dam: Promise Me (Ire), by Montjeu (Ire)
2nd Dam: Hula Angel, by Woodman
3rd Dam: Jode, by Danzig
(50,000gns Ylg '18 TATOCT). O-Mick & Janice Mariscotti; B-Rockfield Farm (IRE); T-Andrew Balding; J-Oisin Murphy. £141,775. Lifetime Record: MG1SP-Eng, 21-8-7-1, $998,278. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Courage Mon Ami (GB), 134, g, 4, Frankel (GB)–Crimson Ribbon, by Lemon Drop Kid. O-Wathnan Racing; B-Hascombe & Valiant Stud Ltd (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden. £53,750.
3–Giavellotto (Ire), 131, c, 4, Mastercraftsman (Ire)–Gerika (Fr), by Galileo (Ire). O-Scuderia La Tesa Ltd; B-Societa Agricola La Tesa SRL (IRE); T-Marco Botti. £26,900.
Margins: 1HF, HF, 3HF. Odds: 2.75, 2.50, 5.00.
Also Ran: River of Stars (Ire), Broome (Ire), Quickthorn (GB). DNF: Nate The Great (GB).

The post Mastercraftsman’s Coltrane In Tune In The Lonsdale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Nathaniel’s Quickthorn In Brilliant Goodwood Cup Solo

Maybe the fact that it is so demanding means that it can only be a once-a-year thing, but Lady Blyth's Quickthorn (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}–Daffydowndilly {GB}, by Oasis Dream {GB}) is a joy to behold when he delivers his runaway train impression and Goodwood's gathering had a full two miles to appreciate it again on Tuesday as he turned the G1 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup into a one-horse show.

As he had last August when issuing a 14-length beating to Coltrane (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) in York's G2 Lonsdale Cup over this two-mile trip, the Hughie Morrison-trained Secretariat of the stayers was allowed to stride on at the pace he is comfortable at by Tom Marquand but which is simply too quick for the rest of this division's leading protagonists.

Turning for home, the yawning gap was still too sizeable for any to bridge and by the time the 16-1 shot hit the line there was still six lengths back to the nearest in the pursuing blanket. That turned out to be Emily Dickinson (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who denied Coltrane the silver medal by a short head, with the G1 Gold Cup-winning 2-1 favourite Courage Mon Ami (GB) (Frankel {GB}) only sixth in a race that will be cherished for many years for the sheer audacity of the winning performance.

“He's a fun horse to ride,” Marquand said. “There's no masterplan with him. Down at the gates Frankie looked across and laughed and said 'are you going to drop in?' He goes out wearing his heart on his sleeve and everybody knows what he's going to do and they still can't stop him. It is testament to how good he is. He's had some great days, but he deserved a Group 1 and it would have felt wrong if he had never got one.”

By the time Quickthorn had demolished the opposition in the Lonsdale Cup last August, he was on a three-timer having also garnered the G3 Henry II S. at Sandown and ParisLongchamp's G2 Prix Maurice de Nieuil. As if that effort took him past his limit, his following three outings which included a disappointing no-show in the G1 Prix du Cadran had seen his stock fall and that York tour de force seem an aberration. It all came back together again as he returned to the Knavesmire for the 14-furlong Listed Grand Cup last time, as he was able to turn back the subsequent G2 Princess of Wales's S. winner Israr (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) and while there was much upside to that form this was a deep Goodwood Cup and most were happy to overlook him.

What was remarkable about this performance was that Quickthorn actually ran at the right tempo throughout having shown alacrity on this tricky circuit to gain a huge four-second gap or just over 20 lengths on everything after the first mile. Given a breather out in isolation from seven to five out, he was asked to go again from there and instead of caving in continued to churn out sectionals strong enough to ensure the margin never approached being cut back. The gap to Coltrane et al was 15 lengths three furlongs from home and while he was almost 2 1/2 seconds slower than Emily Dickinson from there to the line, she was too far back to make a genuine difference.

Quickthorn's final three-furlong percentage was an almost bang-on 101.45%, while Emily Dickinson was at 108.63%, so that means that the leader was ridden ideally and the filly was given too much to do along with the next four home who finished in a tight bunch. Perhaps the main reason why such class horses got so far adrift was the relatively slow pace set by Oisin Murphy as he lead the peloton, determined not to provide Frankie with a target as he had at Royal Ascot. The others trusted Murphy's judgement and ultimately paid for it.

On the back of some remarkable staying performances in the last 12 months, from the Cadran win of Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) to the Northumberland Plate success of Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}) and all the parts played by the scene's other main actors Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Coltrane, this was something else. Marquand's ride will be recalled for some time to come and he was quick to pardon those in behind in the aftermath.

“It's easy to say in hindsight, but I wouldn't be putting down other riders in behind as you would be doing them a disservice–I would be giving this lad credit for going such a gallop,” he explained. “If I was in behind I would have done the same. He's a relentless galloper and you think 'no horse can keep that up' but it's a case of going and finding a rhythm and wherever that puts you, it puts you. Obviously we showed that in the Lonsdale Cup last year and it just feels like the right way to ride him.”

Hughie Morrison said, “I was amazed he was that price, but we don't mind. We were pretty bullish today and no one was prepared to be the chaser, but had they been they would have probably not got there and then finished out the back. He's got a huge stride and I'd love to do an analysis on that, as it would be something for posterity I think, and he's quite quick. When you cover that kind of ground, it's psychologically hard work for the others to get there.”

“It's great to see that York last year wasn't a fluke and the Lonsdale was like a Group 1, but the opposition didn't turn up,” his trainer added. “I'm sure we would have dealt with Stradivarius and Trueshan there as we dealt with the others today and he was as straight as a die at the end–you wondered if something had come to him he would have picked up again. He's quite hard on himself at home–every other horse has to do about three strides for his one–and so probably in the autumn, he seems to go over the top. That's fair enough after you see what he does on days like today, so we're probably quite nervous about going into the autumn with him again. He's in the Lonsdale again and he'll have a penalty this year, he's got an entry in Ireland [in the G1 Irish St Leger].”

Paying tribute to the owner-breeders, Morrison concluded, “It is fantastic for James and Pam [Blyth], who bred him and it's fantastic to see they kept him and owned him. They have been very patient with him and we've got our rewards. We don't have a huge amount of horses, 50 or 60, and it's fantastic to train these homebreds and to be able to bring them on so they reach their zenith at the right sort of age. Lady Blyth has bred a Grade 1 winner over jumps and a Group 1 winner now–not many people have done that.”

Oisin Murphy saw the damage was done early on as he pondered the ride on Coltrane, who had similarly never got anywhere near the winner at York last year. “It was obvious in the first furlong that Lone Eagle, Tashkhan and Broome–those horses you'd expect to go forward–weren't going forward, so I changed my plan and decided to let Coltrane roll down to the first turn,” he explained. “I thought Tom was very clever around those sharp bends, he allowed Quickthorn to really slip on. You can only go so fast around those turns, because they are quite sharp and by the time we turned to go back uphill, he had a sizeable advantage.”

“He had to use up a fair bit of energy, albeit basically going downhill, to get away from us but often you pay for that sort of ride and in the last furlong I wasn't sure if he would stop completely. I probably cost myself second position by trying to close the gap from three down. Quickthorn has a massive pair of lungs and covers so much ground, so he has enough pace to get away from a high-class field. I was aware of what could happen and he was still able to do it.”

Pedigree Notes

Lord and Lady Blyth's Daffydowndilly, who also has the improving 4-year-old gelding City Streak (GB) (Cityscape {GB}) with Andrew Balding who took a valuable 12-furlong handicap at Ascot on Friday, is a daughter of Art Eyes (Halling) who captured the Listed Noel Murless S. and was second in this meeting's Lillie Langtry S. when it was staged as a Group 3. From an old Aga Khan family, she has the yearling filly Tardaff (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) and a colt foal Scarlet Legend (GB) who is a full-brother to Quickthorn.

 

Tuesday, Goodwood, Britain
AL SHAQAB GOODWOOD CUP-G1, £500,000, Goodwood, 8-1, 3yo/up, 16fT, 3:33.65, g/s.
1–QUICKTHORN (GB), 137, g, 6, by Nathaniel (Ire)
                1st Dam: Daffydowndilly (GB), by Oasis Dream (GB)
                2nd Dam: Art Eyes, by Halling
                3rd Dam: Careyes (Ire), by Sadler's Wells
   1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Lady Blyth; B-Lemington Grange Stud
(GB); T-Hugh Morrison; J-Tom Marquand. £283,550. Lifetime
Record: GSW-Fr, 22-9-3-1, $1,005,333. Werk Nick Rating:
   A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the
   free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Emily Dickinson (Ire), 134, f, 4, Dubawi (Ire)–Chicquita (Ire),
by Montjeu (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O-Mrs J
Magnier/M Tabor/D Smith/Westerberg; B-Chicquita Syndicate
(IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £107,500.
3–Coltrane (Ire), 137, g, 6, Mastercraftsman (Ire)–Promise Me
(Ire), by Montjeu (Ire). (50,000gns Ylg '18 TATOCT). O-Mick
and Janice Mariscotti; B-Rockfield Farm (IRE); T-Andrew
Balding. £53,800.
Margins: 6, SHD, SHD. Odds: 16.00, 4.50, 3.00.
Also Ran: Eldar Eldarov (GB), Giavellotto (Ire), Courage Mon Ami (GB), Broome (Ire), Tashkhan (Ire), Lone Eagle (Ire), Ocean Wind (GB), Enemy (GB). VIDEO.

 

The post Nathaniel’s Quickthorn In Brilliant Goodwood Cup Solo appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Goodwood: English Rain? Courage Mon Ami

While the 2023 English summer staggers on in dour misery, Britain looks to the Qatar Goodwood Festival which in terms of the weather is a far cry from its prior “Glorious Goodwood” standing but in terms of thoroughbred quality is up there with any of its counterparts. This week, we get to see the Royal Ascot heroes Courage Mon Ami (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) and the likes of Blue Rose Cen (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) and Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}), to name a few. If the rain that presaged the action at Ascot last week continues, soft-ground specialists will be the order of each day with the opening fixture set to take place on good-to-soft, soft in places.

That makes the G1 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup even more of a stamina test than usual, which should be no hindrance to Wathnan Racing's Gold Cup hero Courage Mon Ami given how strongly he saw out that race over a further half a mile. Pointed here instead of the same connections' 3-year-old option Gregory (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}), the Gosdens' unbeaten representative has experience of this tricky circuit having won a handicap here in May.

“John [Gosden] was keen to train both him and Gregory for the race and soft ground or probable soft ground swayed the decision towards running Courage Mon Ami, while Gregory will now take a different route, with his main aim being the St Leger,” the owners' racing adviser Richard Brown said. “He's back in trip, but he won there impressively before the Gold Cup and we know he handles the track. I don't think it will be a problem coming back to two miles, it was always the question before Ascot if he would he stay two and a half.”

Fourth here last year, Mick and Janice Mariscotti's Coltrane (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) is back an improved horse and has just 3/4 of a length to turn around with Courage Mon Ami from the Gold Cup. Oisin Murphy believes the high-class veteran has conditions in his favour to do so. “All the signs at home are positive and I think this two miles will suit him better than the two and a half at Ascot,” he said. “I don't think the quick ground was a problem in the Gold Cup as he obviously let himself down on it, but we know from his past form that he enjoys some dig in the ground, so that's a plus for him.”

Also helped by the rain is Ballydoyle's Emily Dickinson (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who bounced out of the Gold Cup in which she was fourth to win last Sunday's G2 Curragh Cup. “She loved the ease in the ground at the Curragh,” Aidan O'Brien said. “She comes out of races on fast ground perfectly, which suggests it does not bother her, but she appears much better with an ease in the ground.” In a deep renewal, the first four home from the G2 Yorkshire Cup re-oppose with the winner Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) a fresh horse and the runner-up Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) back on a more suitable surface after flopping in the Gold Cup.

Marco Botti is hoping that Giavellotto can repay the resisted temptation to run at the Royal meeting. “He won well at York and it has always been the plan to skip the Gold Cup at Ascot and go to Goodwood,” he said. “He is well and his prep has gone to plan, we think he is fit and he looks in good order. We know he stays and we're looking forward to it. Two miles is not an issue, but we felt the Ascot Gold Cup may have stretched him a little bit. He settles well and he looks a stronger horse than last year. I just worry about the ground, I hope it will be nice ground for everyone and not extremes. Good-to-soft would be what he wants.”

All Boxes Ticked For Kinross…
Also on Tuesday is the G2 World Pool Lennox S., the next in the sequence of seven-furlong features which have been enhanced in recent years and which now provide a welcome narrative throughout the season. One of the finest in this category is Marc Chan's TDN Rising Star Kinross (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who has the rain and return to the trip over which he is most comfortable to suit. He also has Frankie Dettori back on board, with the partnership temporarily ruptured by a spurious riding ban in the G1 July Cup in which the high-class gelding again showed his versatility to be third. Having beaten Creative Force (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Space Blues (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in 2021, he was an unlucky second 12 months ago so this is clearly his bag. “There is no doubt this is his best distance,” Chan's racing manager Jamie McCalmont said of the Ralph Beckett yard's stalwart, who is set to be an integral part of Dettori's farewell tour. “He likes the course and he's justifiably the favourite, even though that doesn't mean he will win the race.”

Of this year's 3-year-olds, Wathnan Racing's G3 Greenham S. winner and G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains runner-up Isaac Shelby (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) looks tailor-made for this after finishing fourth on ground that was too fast in the G1 St James's Palace S. at Royal Ascot. “He's back to seven and hopefully that will see him in his best light,” Richard Brown said. “He got lit up and things didn't really go to plan at Ascot. I'm not trying to use an excuse and saying he would have won there, but back in trip and back in grade here, he should be thereabouts.”

Revived by a gelding operation last year, Cheveley Park Stud's TDN Rising Star Audience (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}) showed what he is capable of when making all in Newmarket's G3 Criterion S. and the stud's Chris Richardson is hoping he can back that up. “This race is the natural progression really and he came out of the Newmarket race well. He has not been straightforward, but gelding seems to have worked and we are now seeing what we were seeing on the gallops but not on the racecourse. It was just one of those rather frustrating things, but it was lovely to see him bounce back and follow up the previous win with such an emphatic success.”

Is Iberian Of The Right Vintage?
In the G2 Nicholson Gin Vintage S., Teme Valley and Ballylinch Stud's Newbury novice scorer Iberian (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) is one of the less-exposed types who was spared the beating by City Of Troy (Justify) that the Hannon stable's solid yardstick Haatem (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}) had to endure in the G2 Superlative S. Richard Ryan, racing manager for Teme Valley, said of the former, “We're hopeful we have a nice horse and this race will answer a lot of questions. He is an impressive horse at home and Charlie [Hills] is having a great season with his two-year-olds.”
“He looks to have a number of promising horses, so we are in the slightly excited camp until proven otherwise,” Ryan added. “Although it is probably going to be wet at Goodwood, it's unwatered and well maintained for this meeting and probably with it being the first day, it won't have the same issues the July Course had at the time with conditions in the pouring rain.”

One of the eyecatchers of the Royal Ascot 2-year-old events was Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum's Golden Mind (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}), a half-brother to the fellow Richard Fahey-trained star Perfect Power (Ire) (Ardad {Ire}) who was finishing to real effect when third in the Listed Chesham S. over this seven-furlong trip. He gets the Dettori treatment and Fahey has a special wish. “He's a horse that is improving the whole time, he's a bit of a laid-back character and with racing he's going to get better,” his trainer said. “He's in good order and I would love Frankie to ride me a winner before he retires, he's a legend.”

Paddington Set For Select Sussex…
Only five will take on this season's sensation Paddington in Wednesday's G1 Qatar Sussex S., the feature race of the meeting, with the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas, G1 St James's Palace S. and G1 Eclipse S. hero scaring off much opposition. One who hasn't been spared is Cheveley Park Stud's G1 Fillies' Mile, G1 Coronation S. and G1 Prix Jacques le Marois heroine Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}), while soft ground means that Shadwell at least have an outside chance of another surprise with the William Haggas-trained Aldaary (GB) (Territories {Ire}).

The post Goodwood: English Rain? Courage Mon Ami appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights