Baaeed Casts A Long Shadow In The Sussex

Twelve months on from the confirmation of his potency in the G3 Thoroughbred S. at the Qatar Goodwood Festival, Shadwell's Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) returns to the famous Downs as a relative giant as he pursues ever higher ground in Wednesday's G1 Qatar Sussex S. at Goodwood. While his tally of four straight Group 1 wins–in the Prix du Moulin, the QEII, the Lockinge and Queen Anne–is highly commendable, it is still shy of the five achieved by the likes of Dubai Millennium (GB), Enable (GB), Giant's Causeway and St Mark's Basilica (Fr). By the end of the year, it is not inconceivable that he could be matching the seven of this race's 2002 hero Rock of Gibraltar (Ire), even if the nine of Frankel (GB) looks out of reach.

Comparisons with Frankel were being bandied about prior to the June 14 Queen Anne, but his performance there failed to satisfy that on a visual basis. Time-wise, it was the meeting's key moment, however, with startling final sectionals placing him in a league of his own. Running the final two furlongs faster than the King's Stand winner Nature Strip (Aus) (Nicconi {Aus}), he was quicker even than Battaash (Ire) had been over the same last quarter mile in the King's Stand in 2020. This is a fast animal and William Haggas's quip that he could win a July Cup was actually close to the mark.

Angus Gold is not being complacent, however. “As far as I know everything is good, he worked very nicely last week and I think they've been happy since, so you can but hope. There's some very good horses in the race and as we saw in the King George on Saturday, you can never take anything for granted,” he said. “It's possibly not his ideal track, but you could say that about a lot of them so I don't see that as a reason for him not to win if he's in good form and gets a good run through the race.”

Connections already have their sights trained on the G1 Juddmonte International at York Aug. 17. “He's done all his winning at a mile and he's shown he's got the speed and the class to win Group 1s at a mile,” Gold added. “For me, it's going to be more interesting to see whether he can be versatile and carry that speed over a mile and a quarter. I know William felt it was too big a gap between Ascot and York and as he rightly said, they're here to race these horses so that's why he's going to Goodwood.”

 

A Free Hit

Tuesday's G2 Lennox S. win of Sandrine (GB) (Bobby's Kitten) proved that the Andrew Balding stable is in hot form and Baaeed's biggest concern could come from Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never), who has nothing to lose tackling the favourite bidding for back-to-back renewals at a track that plays to her strengths. Very few horses can win this and a July Cup, but that is what she did at Newmarket July 9 where she put upwards of 1 1/2 lengths between her and the Platinum Jubilee crew led by Naval Crown (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). “It took her a couple of runs to find her feet this year, but she's in great form and she looks very well,” Balding said. “She won the race last year and while this looks a very strong renewal, it wasn't a bad one when she beat Poetic Flare. At Goodwood it's not always enough to be the best horse, as you need luck too. We wouldn't want to win that way, but it's a horse race at the end of the day.”

 

Game Changer

While the loss of Coroebus (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) from this picture is a blow to Godolphin, it is worth remembering that Charlie Appleby houses the three winners of the English, Irish and French 2000 Guineas and he still has one of them engaged in Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). While the form of his success in the May 15 G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains at ParisLongchamp has yet to be seriously boosted, it is early days and this return to a mile on a fast course should see him in a positive light. “He can do it every which way and can adapt, plus the draw in one is a positive,” jockey William Buick said on Tuesday. “Everyone has to respect Baaeed and rightly so, as he's a fantastic horse and is obviously going to be very hard to beat.”

Appleby added, “The step back up in trip is going to suit him and the quick ground will also be in his favour. He loves it rattling fast. He's a very classy colt, he's a multiple Group 1 winner and a sharp track such as Goodwood will pose no problem when you recall how he handled Del Mar. He will give a good account of himself.”

 

Rocket Powered?

Goodwood's action on Wednesday also includes a pair of Group 3 contests, with the 2-year-olds lining up for the five-furlong Markel Molecomb S. and the fillies and mares set for the seven-furlong Whispering Angel Oak Tree S. Victorious Racing's June 15 Listed Windsor Castle S. runner-up and July 1 Listed Dragon S. winner Rocket Rodney (GB) (Dandy Man {Ire}) is back over the course and distance over which he opened his account in style Apr. 29 and ticks all the boxes, but the lurker could be Rockcliffe Stud's impressive July 15 Newbury maiden scorer Trillium (GB) (No Nay Never). “She's a very good filly who stepped up from her first run to her second when bolting up at Newbury in fine style,” Trillium's trainer Richard Hannon said on his Unibet blog. “That was over six furlongs, but she's got a fantastic turn of foot so I'm not worried about going down to five furlongs and she receives a bit of weight as well for being a filly.” Al Shaqab Racing have a habit of plundering the Oak Tree, with three wins between 2015 and 2017 with French raiders and are here again with the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained June 12 Listed Prix Volterra winner Samahram (Fr) (Sea The Moon {Ger}).

 

Nashwa Faces Eight In Nassau

Thursday's G1 Qatar Nassau S. has attracted nine, with Hollie Doyle keen to renew her partnership with Imad Al Sagar's G1 Prix de Diane heroine Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}). This is one of the weaker renewals on paper in recent times, with the May 29 G1 Prix d'Ispahan winner Dreamloper (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and the May 12 G2  Middleton Fillies' S. scorer Lilac Road (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) key among the older brigade. “Nashwa is just unreal and she's getting better and better,” her rider told QIPCO British Champions Series. “Every time I sit on her between races she's improved again. I rode a piece of work on her last week which was very similar to the work we did before France and she's bigger and stronger once again, and better than ever.”

 

Click here for the group fields.

The post Baaeed Casts A Long Shadow In The Sussex appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Eclipse Champions Clash in Apple Blossom

After the focus on points races for Derby and Oaks contenders taking up headlines over recent weekends, the distaff division gets a match up worthy of the front page as 2021 Eclipse champions Letruska (Super Saver) and Ce Ce (Elusive Quality) meet for the first time in Oaklawn's GI Apple Blossom H.

Both are previous winners of the Hot Springs signature race, as the Fausto Gutierrez-trained Letruksa won the Apple Blossom in 2021 and the Mike McCarthy-conditioned Ce Ce took the 2020 edition. The two have otherwise taken divergent paths, so much so that in spite of twice running on the same card last year, they were in different divisions: on Nov. 6 at Del Mar for the Breeders' Cup, Letruska ran in the GI Distaff and Ce Ce won the GI Filly & Mare Sprint, while on Aug. 28 at Saratoga, Letruska won the GI Personal Ensign and Ce Ce finished third in the GI Ballerina.

In addition to both being previous Apple Blossom winners, both 6-year-old homebred mares were named champions for their outstanding seasons last year. Letruska's 2021 campaign included six graded wins, four of which were Grade Is as she dominated the division for the Older Dirt Female title, and Ce Ce won three graded races, culminating in a powerful Breeders' Cup win that propelled her to Champion Female Sprinter. Both mares have won their most recent starts as Letruska took Gulfstream's Feb. 26 GIII Royal Delta S. and Ce Ce won Oaklawn's Mar. 12 GII Azeri S.

Based on her dominance last year in the division, her proven prowess at two turns, and her devastating speed, Letruska will be the favorite. However, Ce Ce has proven time and time again that she can't be counted out with her tracking and pouncing style. She will also carry an impost three pounds under Letruska's. The latter's connections are looking long term with an end goal of rectifying her Breeders' Cup loss last year.

“The idea is to go back to the Breeders' Cup, especially now that it's on this side the country,” said Gutierrez Thursday. “We have more chances to check what mistakes we had last year and make much better decisions this year. The idea is to run here in the Apple Blossom and maybe three or four more races and try to win the Breeders' Cup. But we need to go step-by-step and now the most important race is the Apple Blossom.”

To add another splash of intrigue to the Apple Blossom field beyond the top two are a pair of Grade I-winning 4-year-olds, who have both signaled they are poised for big 2022 campaigns. Steve Asmussen's Clairiere (Curlin), winner of the 2021 GI Cotillion S. and a constant factor on the board in last year's 3-year-old division, shook off winter rust by tuning up for the Apple Blossom with a huge 6 1/2-length optional allowance score at Fair Grounds Mar. 16. Maracuja (Honor Code), victress of Saratoga's GI Coaching Club American Oaks for trainer Rob Atras, wore down the frontrunner in the stretch of her 2022 debut, an optional allowance over this track and trip Apr. 1.

The short field also has a deserving longshot in Jerry Hollendorfer's Miss Imperial (Maclean's Music), who is a multiple black-type winner at Assiniboia Downs. The former claimer has notched 14 career wins, which is difficult at any level, but she's never run against this type, nor in a graded event. However, her best races have come on the lead and she gets nine pounds from Letruska, so she could very easily change the complexion of the race if she and the champ get into a punishing speed duel.

If either Letruska or Ce Ce prevail, the winner will be just the fourth mare to win the Apple Blossom more than once, joining Paseana (Arg) (Ahmad {Arg}), Azeri (Jade Hunter), and Zenyatta (Street Cry {Ire}). All three of those mares are in the Hall of Fame.

The post Eclipse Champions Clash in Apple Blossom appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Carnival Action Heats Up in Dubai

Friday marks the second week of the Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan in Dubai, and three group races are slated to go ahead, as well as two G2 UAE Derby preps on the seven-race card.

Godolphin fields a typically strong hand in the 1800-metre G2 Al Rashidiya Presented By Riviera Beachfront By Azizi on grass, which is an early pointer to the G1 Dubai Turf at the end of March. Aiming for a sixth consecutive renewal, the royal blue silks will be carried by a quintet from trainers-Charlie Appleby and Saeed bin Suroor. Appleby's listed winner Art du Val (GB) (No Nay Never) has been rubbing shoulders near the top table in his last three starts. Fourth in the G2 Singspiel S. last January, he added a third in the Feb. 18 G2 Zabeel Mile and in his latest outing ran a solid fourth to the re-opposing Lord Glitters (Fr) (Whipper) in the G1 Jebel Hatta on Super Saturday. Stablemate and listed winner Highland Avenue (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), will be making his first start since a gelding operation in the autumn, as will the four-for-five Royal Fleet (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}).

“Art Du Val proved a consistent horse in Dubai last year and we gave him the summer off with another season at the Carnival in mind,” said Appleby. “He goes into this race in good order and will be very competitive if he brings his 'A-game.”

Last year's G3 Dubai Millennium S. second Bedouin's Story (GB) (Farhh {GB}) ran second in his most recent outing–the Oct. 9 G3 Darley S. after dwelling at the start.

Bin Suroor said, “He has been doing well out in Dubai and this looks like a good starting point for him this year.”

Charismatic grey battler Lord Glitters appears ageless, and his Jebel Hatta victory was accomplished at the age of eight. Now nine, the Geoff and Sandra Turnbull silksbearer scored a win in the G3 Bahrain International Trophy in late November for trainer David O'Meara.

The trainer said, “He's in good form and has obviously had a good winter so far after winning over in Bahrain. He seemed to get on very well in Dubai last year. He won the Singspiel and was third in this race under a penalty and then won the Jebel Hatta. Hopefully he can do something similar this year.”

 

Storming the 'Fort'ress

The 1400-metre G2 Al Fahidi Fort Presented By Mina By Azizi, also takes place on the grass. Saeed bin Suroor saddles the 2021 scorer, Land Of Legends (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}), who ran out a handy winner exactly a year ago. Only fifth in the 1351 Turf Sprint on Feb. 20, the gelding has been benched since another fifth-place run in the G1 Dubai Turf on Mar. 27. The three-for-four Storm Damage (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) enters this test on the back of consecutive Newmarket wins in July and August.

“Land Of Legends has been improving with every piece of work,” said bin Suroor. “He won this race on his first start of the year last season and we are hoping for another good effort. Storm Damage ran well in the UK last season and I have been pleased with him in Dubai.”

Charlie Appleby's listed winner Naval Crown (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) was fourth in the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas on May 1 and just failed to last in the G3 Jersey S. at Royal Ascot on June 19. The colt is aiming to improve off of an eighth-place finish in the July 11 G1 Prix Jean Prat. He is joined by the group placed La Barrosa (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), who was gelded prior to running third in a Meydan conditions race on Jan. 7.

Appleby said, “Naval Crown showed good, solid form as a 3-year-old and has enjoyed a nice break ahead of the Carnival. He looks great and will obviously be very competitive if he runs up to his best form.”

 

Septet Signed on For Dubawi S.

The Doug Watson-trained duo of Group 3 winners Canvassed (Ire) (Shamardal) and Al Tariq (Fr) (Oasis Dream {GB}) loom large in the G3 Dubawi S. sprinting 1200 metres over the Meydan main track. Victorious in the G3 Mahab Al Shimaal last March, Canvassed returned on Dubai World Cup night to take third after making a late run in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen. His stablemate was first past the post in the Feb. 18 G3 Al Shindagha Sprint over this track and trip and, after running sixth in the Golden Shaheen, already sports a win this season. He eked out a win in a conditions race at Jebel Ali on Nov. 26.

Watson commented, “They're both in really good form. Obviously, Al Tariq has run already this year and Canvassed is having his first start since World Cup night, but has gotten stronger overall.”

Bhupat Seemar's Freedom Fighter (Violence) makes his desert debut on Friday. The 4-year-old was second in the GII San Vicente S. at Santa Anita last term and was most recently fifth in an allowance optional claimer at Del Mar on July 17.

 

UAE Classic Pointers

The 1400-metre UAE 2000 Guineas Trial Presented by Al Furjan By Azizi marks the 3-year-old return of Grade I victor Albahr (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Gelded after winning a Haydock novice last June, he rattled off another Haydock win in July and battled his way to a score in the Listed Stonehenge S. a month later. The Charlie Appleby-trained 3-year-old triumphed in the GI Summer S. at Woodbine on Sept. 19, but was scratched at the gate of the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf in November.

It will not necessarily be a cakewalk for Albahr, as he faces the unbeaten winners Kiefer (Brz) (Drosselmeyer), who is three-for-three in Uruguay including at the listed level, and the once-raced Mujeer (Violence), who won at Meydan on Dec. 2.

Second in the lineup on Friday is the Jumeirah Derby Trial Presented By Park Avenue By Azizi. Conducted over 1800 metres on turf, this new race attracted Listed Silver Tankard S. winner Mr Professor (Ire) (Profitable {Ire}), the stable star of trainer Alice Haynes. Since that victory, the 3-year-old gelding finished with interest to take third when debuting at Meydan just seven days ago on Jan. 14, one spot behind Sed Maarib (American Pharoah). A trio of Godolphin winners are also slated to take part–Nader (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}), Island Falcon (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) and New Kingdom (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}).

Click here to view the group fields.

The post Carnival Action Heats Up in Dubai appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights