Lusail (Ire) | Horse Racing Free Tips

Room For More?

This year's 2000 Guineas looks shaped already, with the Appleby and O'Brien guns loaded with two barrels each, but there is always an opening for the winner of Saturday's G3 Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham S. at Newbury.

Whatever its impact on the Newmarket Classic, the latest renewal of the seven-furlong trial is fascinating in its own right, with Marc Chan's G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and G1 Criterium International hero Angel Bleu (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}) taking on Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum's G1 Prix Morny and G1 Middle Park S. winner Perfect Power (Ire) (Ardad {Ire}). Throw in Al Shaqab Racing's G2 July S. and G2 Gimcrack S. winner Lusail (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) and this represents a proper test for the fast milers who barely get the eighth furlong. Perfect Power is interesting on running style and pedigree, as his strongest work always came at the end of the six last year and he hails from a family replete with stamina harking back to Sagamix (Fr).

“What we saw last year and the pedigree on the dam's side gives us hope that he'll get this seven furlongs,” trainer Richard Fahey said. “He's also a very laid-back character. He doesn't go around the yard like a typical sprinter and he's quite relaxed and a straightforward type to ride, so he'll give himself every chance to get seven furlongs. We haven't drawn a line through the Guineas yet and we're just going to see what happens on Saturday.”

Paris Calling?

The card's G3 Dubai Duty Free S., or Fred Darling as it is historically known, offers perhaps more intrigue in terms of its relevance to the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches than the 1000 Guineas, but it may be that it serves to enhance the claims of those at the forefront of the upcoming Newmarket Classic.

Godolphin's season could hardly have got off to a brighter start and the dominance could well continue with Wild Beauty (GB) (Frankel {GB}), whose defeat of Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) in Woodbine's GI Natalma S. continues to grow in gravitas. That she was only fifth behind Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the G1 Fillies' Mile means that whatever the outcome here, Charlie Appleby is looking more at ParisLongchamp.

“Wild Beauty's preparation has gone well and the track at Newbury will suit her better than the Rowley Mile,” he said. “We feel that she didn't particularly handle the course in the [G1] Fillies' Mile and are looking at using this as a springboard to the French 1000 Guineas.”

Harry and Roger Charlton's daughter of Thistle Bird (GB) (Selkirk) was deadly on soft in the course-and-distance Listed Radley S., while the Gosdens throw in Shadwell's Yarmouth mile novice scorer Shaara (GB) (Shamardal). Interestingly, the senior member of the partnership was happy to pitch the dam Yasmeen (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) into the 2015 G1 Coronation S. at an early stage of her career, so we watch with interest.

Click here for the group fields.

The post Room For More? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Middle Park Attracts Fourteen

Group winner Go Bears Go (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) is coming into the Sept. 25 G1 Middle Park S. in good form after a brief freshening. The G2 Railway S. winner and G1 Phoenix S. third is one of 14 juveniles to stand their ground at this entry stage. A debut winner at Newbury for trainer David Loughnane, the colt was also second in the June 17 G2 Norfolk S. behind subsequent Group 1 winner Perfect Power (Ire) (Ardad {Ire}).

“We are exactly where we want to be, the ground looks like it's going to be in great condition,” said Loughnane. “We freshened him up and I think it's done him the world of good, physically and mentally. He's strengthened up loads and I couldn't be happier.

“It's a crucial time for 2-year-olds. People might look and say 'he's only had four runs why does he need a break', but he's been on the go since last December for a breeze up.

“That's a long time for a growing 2-year-old to keep rocking and rolling and he's done a lot of travelling, he went to Ireland twice in a short space of time. It's all systems go.”

Two Group 1 winners are currently signed on for the six-furlong test-the aforementioned G1 Prix Morny hero Perfect Power and the G1 Phoenix S. hero Ebro River (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}). Richard Hannon trainees Armor (GB) (No Nay Never), who won the G3 Molecomb S. and G2 Gimcrack S. victor Lusail (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) are both entered. Prix Morny third and G2 Richmond S. winner Asymmetric (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) has stood his ground for Alan King, while Michael O'Callaghan has supplemented dual Group 2-placed Twilight Jet (Ire) (Twilight Son {GB}). The Clive Cox duo of G2 Mill Reef S. winner Wings of War (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and G2 Flying Childers S. victor Caturra (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) are also part of the field. A trio of Ballydoyle representatives are entered at this stage-Glounthaune (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), HMS Endeavour (War Front) and New York City (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). Completing the 14 are G3 Marble Hill S. winner Castle Star (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) and Ger Lyons trainee Dr Zempf (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}).

The post Middle Park Attracts Fourteen appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Mehmas’s Lusail Wins The Gimcrack

Defying a three-pound penalty for his success in the G2 July S., Lusail (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) continued Al Shaqab Racing's purple patch with the juveniles in Friday's G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack S. at York. Always perfectly placed behind the pace-setters by Pat Dobbs, the 7-2 second favourite stayed on past Gis a Sub (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) just inside the final furlong en route to a 1 1/4-length success from that long-time leader, with Twilight Jet (Ire) (Twilight Son {GB}) 3/4 of a length behind in third. “He's very babyish and we haven't got to the bottom of him yet,” the winning rider said. “I got to the front about half a furlong earlier than I wanted. He's quick enough for six, but seven is not a problem for him either and he's so laid-back. He's a nicer type of a horse than Mehmas with a lot more scope. This guy has everything you need.”

Trading at 28-1 when springing a surprise on his debut over this course and distance May 13, Lusail ran into two smart opponents in Angel Bleu (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and Khunan (GB) (Twilight Son {GB}) when third behind the subsequent G2 Vintage S. winner and G2 Richmond S. runner-up over this trip on soft ground at Pontefract 15 days later. Making all over seven furlongs at Newmarket June 19, the bay returned to the latter venue to upstage Asymmetric (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) in the G2 July S. and after that rival took the G2 Richmond S. and the fourth Ebro River (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}) the G1 Phoenix S. the form of that July 8 contest was looking rock-solid. With the operation already boasting this stable's G3 Molecomb S. winner Armor (GB) (No Nay Never) and Ebro River, the hardest task may be keeping the trio apart from here.

Richard Hannon said, “He's never done much at home, but often I find they are the best 2-year-olds. He wasn't there in his coat even in the July Stakes and didn't look great that day, but that's just him. Of all our 2-year-olds, he is the one with the most scope and he's going to be a big powerful horse next year. He's already got seven and I'd love to take him to the [G1] Dewhurst [at Newmarket Oct. 9], but he's in the [G1] Middle Park [at Newmarket Sept. 25] and the [G1 Prix] Jean-Luc Lagardere [at ParisLongchamp Oct. 3] so they are all possibilities. He's done it both ways, as in the July he was up with two others who dropped out and he was the only one who kept going and today he had a lead. That's hugely encouraging and he's an amenable horse and lovely to have anything to do with. Him getting beaten at Pontefract might have been the making of him, as we didn't go to Royal Ascot on the back of that defeat but he won't go on soft at all. He didn't go to Goodwood for that reason and that was the right decision. The Guineas is the long-term objective and he's big and strong enough, so that's the end-game. He's doing this in spite of his size, as he's a big physical.”

A useful type for Alan Jarvis, Lusail's dam Diaminda (Ire) (Diamond Green {Fr}) was tried in the 2013 G1 1000 Guineas won by this stable's Sky Lantern (Ire) (Red Clubs {Ire}) but trailed in last and was retired with her best effort being a fourth in the Listed Dick Poole Fillies' S. over this trip. She is a half to Fayr Jag (Ire) (Fayruz {GB}), one of man-of-the-moment Tim Easterby's best as the winner of the G1 Golden Jubilee S., G3 Ridgewood Pearl S., G3 Chipchase S. and G3 Hackwood S. Her daughter of Kodiac (GB) is due to sell at the upcoming Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1, while she also has a filly foal by Cotai Glory (GB).

Friday, York, Britain
AL BASTI EQUIWORLD DUBAI GIMCRACK S.-G2, £150,000, York, 8-20, 2yo, c/g, 6fT, 1:10.13, g/f.
1–LUSAIL (IRE), 129, c, 2, by Mehmas (Ire)
1st Dam: Diaminda (Ire), by Diamond Green (Fr)
2nd Dam: Lominda (Ire), by Lomond
3rd Dam: Olinda, by Sassafras (Fr)
(160,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Al Shaqab Racing; B-Tally-Ho Stud (IRE); T-Richard Hannon; J-Pat Dobbs. £85,065. Lifetime Record: 5-4-0-1, $206,996. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Gis A Sub (Ire), 126, c, 2, Acclamation (GB)–Monclaire (Ger), by Sholokhov (Ire). (£60,000 RNA Ylg '20 GOFOR; 140,000gns 2yo '21 TATBRE). O-Steve Ryan; B-Kildaragh Stud (IRE); T-Kevin Ryan. £32,250.
3–Twilight Jet (Ire), 126, c, 2, Twilight Son (GB)–My Lucky Liz (Ire), by Exceed And Excel (Aus). (€28,000 Ylg '20 GOFFEB; £210,000 2yo '21 GOFTY). O/T-Michael O'Callaghan; B-Tom Radley (IRE). £16,140.
Margins: 1 1/4, 3/4, HF. Odds: 3.50, 8.00, 18.00.
Also Ran: Fearby (Ire), Eldrickjones (Ire), Last Crusader (Ire), Berkshire Shadow (GB), Vintage Clarets (GB), American Star (Ire), Spitting Feathers (Ire), Orazio (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

The post Mehmas’s Lusail Wins The Gimcrack appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Lusail Emulates Sire Mehmas With July S. Win at Newmarket

Fresh off a one-length novice win tackling seven furlongs at Newmarket last month, Al Shaqab Racing's Lusail (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) emulated his prolific sire (by Acclamation {GB}) in winning Thursday's G2 Tattersalls July S. dropped down to six furlongs back at the town's Summer venue. He had previously annexed a May 13 York maiden and hit the board on soft ground in a May 28 Pontefract conditions heat. The 15-2 chance was sharply into stride and tracked the duelling speedsters Project Dante (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) and Dig Two (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) in third through the early fractions here. Looming large hard on the bridle as those two wilted passing the quarter-mile marker, he was shaken up to claim a decisive advantage approaching the eighth pole and kept on strongly, despite rolling around up the hill, to deny Asymmetric (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) and Sam Maximus (GB) (Showcasing {GB})–by a head and the same–in a thrilling three-way finish.

“He ran around a bit going to the line, but it was a big shout going back to six furlongs and he's done it very well,” said trainer Richard Hannon after securing a third victory in the contest. “I thought he deserved to win and, just like his sire Mehmas, he's extremely honest and very chilled out. He wasn't really high up in our pecking order at home and we took him to York and he went there and won. He will get further and I don't think he's just a 2-year-old. I think we'll take him to Goodwood, but whether we'll go over six or seven [furlongs] we'll see.”

Jockey Pat Dobbs added, “I travelled very well into the dip and I knew he'd find because he gets seven [furlongs], but he got a little bit lonely in front. It was a bit close for comfort, but he's very intelligent and laid back for a 2-year-old. Ground wouldn't matter for him, but he wouldn't want it too slow and definitely the faster the better. He has the attitude to step up in trip, he's relaxed and does everything right.”

Alan King was satisfied with the performance of Asymmetric and the trainer said, “He ran a huge race and it was a big step up. He was in front for a stride and has just got nailed on the line, but he has run very well. He is a lovely colt and [jockey] Martin [Harley] has always felt that he would be better on quicker ground. He would be the sharpest 2-year-old we have had.”

Lusail, half-brother to a yearling filly Kodiac (GB) and a 2021 Cotai Glory (GB) filly, is the second of four foals and lone scorer produced by a winning half-sister to G1 Golden Jubilee S. hero Fayr Jag (Ire) (Fayruz {GB}). His third dam Olinda (Ire) (Sassafras {Fr}) posted a runner-up finish in the G3 Athasi S. and is a half-sister to the dam of Listed Premio Torricola victrix and G3 Premio Sergio Cumani third Midefix (Ity) (Night Shift) and Listed Premio Lazio winner Me Ne Vado (Ity) (Brook {GB}). Olinda's descendants include G3 Winx Sunshine Coast Guineas winner Wapiti (Aus) (Love Conquers All {Aus}) and MGSP Listed Premio La Novella victrix Oreade (Ire) (Try My Best).

Thursday, Newmarket, Britain
TATTERSALLS JULY S.-G2, £90,000, Newmarket, 7-8, 2yo, c/g, 6fT, 1:10.57, g/f.
1–LUSAIL (IRE), 126, c, 2, by Mehmas (Ire)
1st Dam: Diaminda (Ire), by Diamond Green (Fr)
2nd Dam: Lominda (Ire), by Lomond
3rd Dam: Olinda, by Sassafras (Fr)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (160,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Al Shaqab Racing; B-Tally-Ho Stud (IRE); T-Richard Hannon; J-Pat Dobbs. £51,039. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-1, $91,011. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Asymmetric (Ire), 126, c, 2, Showcasing (GB)–Swirral Edge (GB), by Hellvelyn (GB). (65,000gns Ylg '20 TADEYG; 150,000gns 2yo '21 TATBRE). O-Ms Leora Judah; B-Redpender Stud Ltd (IRE); T-Alan King. £19,350.
3–Sam Maximus (GB), 126, c, 2, Showcasing (GB)–Daring Day (GB), by Acclamation (GB). (90,000gns Wlg '19 TATFOA; 85,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-John & Jess Dance; B-Whitsbury Manor Stud (GB); T-Tom Dascombe. £9,684.
Margins: HD, HD, 1. Odds: 7.50, 11.00, 40.00.
Also Ran: Ebro River (Ire), Eldrickjones (Ire), The Organiser (GB), Tolstoy (Ire), Jadhlaan (GB), Aleezdancer (Ire), Project Dante (GB), Dig Two (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

The post Lusail Emulates Sire Mehmas With July S. Win at Newmarket appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post