Tag: York

Showcasing’s Swingalong Surprises In The Lowther

That Karl Burke collected in Thursday's G2 Sky Bet Lowther S. at York was a surprise to nobody, but the fact that it was with the 25-1 stable second-string Swingalong (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) as Dramatised (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) finished out of the frame certainly was. On the pace from the outset racing up the centre under Clifford Lee, Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum's 120,000gns Book 2 graduate who had scored by six lengths on her third start over this six-furlong trip at Ripon at the start of the month was marginally behind her G2 Queen Mary S.-winning stablemate overall. Just before the furlong pole, that even-money favourite was starting to feel the pinch about to enter unknown territory but Swingalong was coming on strong and found the line a neck in front of the Kevin Ryan-trained Queen Me (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Remarkably, the runner-up was just failing to become the fourth generation winner of this prize for Jaber Abdullah after her dam Queen Kindly (GB) (Frankel {GB}), second dam Lady Of The Desert (Rahy) and third dam Queen's Logic (Ire) (Grand Lodge). There was a further 2 1/2 lengths back to Matilda Picotte (Ire) (Sioux Nation) as Dramatised ended up fifth. “She was green on her first couple of runs and has improved a lot since Ripon,” the winning jockey said. “I kept it simple and all she did was gallop to the line–it wouldn't surprise me if she gets seven next year.”

 

Introduced over five furlongs at Nottingham at the beginning of June, Swingalong was five-lengths second to the subsequently disappointing All The Time (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) before moving up to this distance after a six-week break for a Newbury maiden July 15. Shaping like a stayer there, the chestnut was flat-footed before keeping on into fourth behind the subsequent G3 Molecomb S. winner Trillium (GB) (No Nay Never) but next time at Ripon she cut a dramatically different figure showing speed from the get-go and romping to a confidence-boosting success. Had it not been for the significant shadow cast by Dramatised, the evidence of that performance allied to the fact that she represented the Burke stable replete with classy 2-year-olds would have seen her sent off significantly shorter than her insulting starting price and there was no fluke about this powerful display in a time two seconds faster than the unbeaten colt Streets Of Gold (Ire) (Havana Gold {Ire}) managed over the same trip in the closing nursery on Wednesday.

“She's got a huge stride and has only just filled into her frame,” Burke said of the winner. “She's got a lot stronger over the last six weeks. I know it was a different class of race, but she had them all beat after two furlongs at Ripon and I knew then we were on the right track so I said straight away we'd come here. At the time I didn't think she'd be good enough to beat Dramatised, but the difference was one stayed and one didn't. The Cheveley Park looks the obvious next step, but I'll talk to connections. I think she will stay an extra furlong, but she's got a lot of natural speed so I think we'll use that and not step her up just yet. All dreams are still alive at the minute.”

Of Dramatised, he added, “To be fair to Danny [Tudhope], all along he had his doubts. He rode her work over six furlongs two weeks ago, but I wouldn't have it that she wouldn't stay. Danny was right and I was wrong. She'll revert back to five furlongs now. I was never that keen on the Nunthorpe for her, but I suppose the only saving grace is that we didn't find out she didn't stay in France in the Prix Morny. Luckily, I made an entry in the Abbaye this week with Danny putting that element of doubt in my mind and she could go there and then to the Breeders' Cup.”

Kevin Ryan said of Queen Me, “It was a great run and lack of experience midway through the race probably just cost her. She'd only had the one start and did it very easy first time. Unfortunately we haven't been able to get another run into her, which we would have liked, through no other reason than the ground being so firm. We wanted to mind her and run her on nice ground so we waited to come here. We've always liked the filly and she'll progress again from that. We'll go home and sit on the fence, but she's proved now she's up to this level and galloped all the way through the line, which is always a good sign.”

Swingalong's dam Pilates (Ire) (Shamardal), who won over a mile, is fittingly a half to the useful filly Knavesmire (Ire) (One Cool Cat) who took the Hilary Needler Trophy when it held listed status. The family includes the Listed Abernant S. winner Splice (GB) (Sharpo {GB}), who produced a past Lowther S. winner in Soar (GB) (Danzero {Aus}) who also captured the G3 Princess Margaret S. before producing the G2 July S. runner-up Konchek (GB) (Lethal Force {Ire}). Splice is also responsible for the smart dual listed scorer Feet So Fast (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) who is the second dam of the group 3-winning Scandinavian champion Entangle (GB) also by Pivotal. Pilates's son of Profitable (Ire) sells at the upcoming Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale, while she also has a 2022 colt by New Bay (GB).

Thursday, York, Britain
SKY BET LOWTHER S.-G2, £267,500, York, 8-18, 2yo, f, 6fT, 1:10.80, gd.
1–SWINGALONG (IRE), 128, f, 2, by Showcasing (GB)
     1st Dam: Pilates (Ire), by Shamardal
     2nd Dam: Caribbean Escape (GB), by Pivotal (GB)
     3rd Dam: Soluce (Ire), by Junius
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GROUP WIN. (120,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum; B-Mount Armstrong Stud (IRE); T-Karl Burke; J-Clifford Lee. £151,699. Lifetime Record: 4-2-1-0, $191,700. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Queen Me (Ire), 128, f, 2, Dubawi (Ire)–Queen Kindly (GB), by Frankel (GB).
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Jaber Abdullah; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Limited (IRE); T-Kevin Ryan. £57,513.
3–Matilda Picotte (Ire), 128, f, 2, Sioux Nation–Hallie's Comet (Ire), by One Cool Cat. O-Matilda & Kilmichael Racing Partnership; B-Mighty Universe Ltd (IRE); T-Kieran Cotter. £28,783.
Margins: NK, 2HF, NK. Odds: 25.00, 20.00, 11.00.
Also Ran: Mawj (Ire), Dramatised (Ire), Maria Branwell (Ire), Lady Tilbury (GB), Glenlaurel (Ire), Kerindia (Ire), Sweet Harmony (Ire), Lady Hollywood (GB), Kinta (Ire), Desert Illusion (Ire). Scratched: Miami Girl (Ire). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Alpinista Ready For Knavesmire Challenge

Brought to the G1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks as a still raw 3-year-old in 2020, Kirsten Rausing's Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}) returns to the Knavesmire on Thursday an entirely different proposition to the one who chased the shadow of Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) as she pursues her own lofty goal. Successful in the same trio of Group 1 races in Germany that her second dam Albanova (GB) (Alzao) racked up in 2004, the grey had already achieved something truly notable even before her rampant return in the July 3 G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. The likes of High Definition (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Mare Australis (Ire) (Australia {GB}) and Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) were well beaten there and as his owner-breeder pointed out recently success here would mean she has won at the highest level in three different countries.

Sir Mark Prescott, the doyen of Newmarket, had charted the 5-year-old's path as meticulously as all those that pass through his hands only to have his best-laid plans derailed in early summer. “The original plan was to go to the Coronation Cup and King George, but we couldn't go for the Coronation because the filly hadn't come in her coat,” the master of Heath House explained. “That put her back in everything. She's now in the Yorkshire Oaks, whereas she would have been going for the Prix Vermeille. The cycle just got slightly put out from what we'd originally planned. It did look a very strong race in France last time out, but the ground was quicker than the other English horses wanted and I think it was more suitable to me so I hope it didn't flatter me.”

Perhaps Prescott's greatest horse so far was Alborada (GB) (Alzao) and it would be fitting if Alpinista, who is a family member of that dual G1 Champion S. heroine, could bring home a prestigious domestic prize. “She's always been the underdog and so far, she's proved herself to be top dog,” he said. “She's just very pleasant, she eats well, she's sound so far and she's just very, very straightforward in how you can ride her. I would think if all went well and she ran well then she would go straight to the Arc, but there is always the Vermeille if we need it.”

 

The Weight-For-Age Test

Prescott is one of those who believe that the weight-for-age scale is still correct and if so, Alpinista will be able to give nine pounds to Galileo's Oaks and Irish Oaks heroines Tuesday (Ire) and Magical Lagoon (Ire) and to Juddmonte's G2 Prix de Malleret-winning 'TDN Rising Star' Raclette (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Yuesheng Zhang's Magical Lagoon was adding to her win in the June 16 G2 Ribblesdale S. in the Curragh Classic a month later and it is hard to define where her ceiling is at this stage. Raclette is a supplementary entry, which is always significant where Andre Fabre is concerned and Barry Mahon is understandably excited. “She is a lovely filly and looked exceptional last year,” Juddmonte's racing manager said. “She has just taken a little time to come this year. We were trying to make her into a Pouliches filly and she just hadn't come. So Andre in fairness has done a great job, he has taken his time and she is starting to reveal her true potential. Obviously, Sir Mark's filly is a very, very good filly. We know how good she is, having finished second to her with a horse called Baratti (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who is a horse we like.”

 

Irwin's Plan

Team Valor International LLC's La Petite Coco (Ire) (Ruler Of The World {Ire}), who achieved a formidable feat in taking the 10-furlong G1 Pretty Polly S. on her seasonal bow at The Curragh June 26, is back at the mile-and-a-half trip over which she was so impressive in the G3 Give Thanks S. 12 months ago. Paddy Twomey's stable star could be the thorn in Alpinista's side in a race so strong it is bound to have a significant impact on the Arc. Whoever prevails in a vintage Yorkshire Oaks will enjoy the substantial bonus of having paid entry fees for the $2-million GI Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Keeneland, but Barry Irwin is hoping that La Petite Coco can first prove her class ahead of the major European middle-distance tests. “The main reason we are going to York is to test her against better horses and we need to get another run into her to determine if we are going to go for the Arc or switch for the British Champions race,” he explained. “We need to test her and this race will do that. She's a filly who kind of wants cut in the ground to be at her best, even though she beat Love on a course rated good. We're all set to go, we just hope we get a little more rain because she does better with a bit of cut in the ground. I was at Saint-Cloud when Alpinista won and you couldn't get more impressive than that, that was breath-taking, she scares the hell out of me.”

 

Putting On A Show In The Lowther

One of Royal Ascot's most impressive performers, Clipper Logistics' G2 Queen Mary S. winner Dramatised (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) bids to defy a three-pound penalty moving up a furlong in the G2 Sky Bet Lowther S. Having earned 'TDN Rising Star' status with a four-length defeat of the subsequently listed-placed Malrescia (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) on debut at Newmarket Apr. 29, the Karl Burke-trained dynamo recorded strong sectionals in the Royal meeting's June 15 speed test and has since been freshened up. “She looks in really good shape and I couldn't be happier with her, to be honest,” he commented. “She did her last little easy piece on Tuesday morning and did it very well. I wouldn't have wanted soft ground for her, but I wouldn't have minded a little bit of rain. She's by Showcasing and they seem to handle most ground, so I'm sure I'll have no complaints on that score. She's obviously got the penalty to carry, but three pounds is a long way from being insurmountable, I think. We know she's very good. She's got to step up in trip and I'm not sure being drawn one is ideal, but it is what it is.”

 

Mawj Back In Action

Having also gained a TDN Rising Star tag on her racecourse bow at Newmarket May 14, Godolphin's Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) went for the G3 Albany S. at the Royal meeting only to come off second-best to Ballydoyle's Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never) June 17. Perhaps fortunate to have survived a stewards' inquiry when beating Lezoo (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}) in the

G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. at the July Festival July 8, the Saeed bin Suroor-trained half-sister to Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) is bred to progress with time. Amo Racing And Omnihorse Racing's supplemented Lady Hollywood (GB) (Havana Grey {Ire}) is also there to test Dramatised, with the Alice Haynes trainee's defeat of Mauiewowie (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) in Naas's Listed Marwell S. July 20 now franked. Amo's racing manager Emily Scott said, “She is quick and so straightforward so you'd hope she would stay six, although it is a question mark having shown so much speed over five.”

 

Friday's Fields Confirmed

Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum's unbeaten 3-year-old sensation Royal Aclaim (Ire) (Aclaim {Ire}) will face 14 rivals in Friday's G1 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe S. at York, with the July 9 Listed City Walls S. winner drawn favourably towards the far rail in two. Low numbers dominated on day one of the Ebor Festival, and trainer James Tate is relishing the “Win and You're In” gateway to the $1-million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. “At present, she is going into this race better than she has into any of her previous three races,” he said. “I've had a couple of Breeders' Cup runners, but never managed to win one yet. She would be ideally suited to run there–over a fast five furlongs on fast ground. Whether we do it this year or another year I don't know.” The race's sole juvenile runner The Platinum Queen (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) is drawn on the other side in 13, with the Aug. 7 G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest heroine Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) alongside in 14.

Also on Friday, Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is set to meet old rival Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}) in the G2 Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup if the forecast rain arrives. “He won't run as things stand, on good, good-to-firm in places, but there's rain coming through on Thursday night. We don't know how much, but I'd look awfully stupid if it went good to soft,” the latter's trainer Alan King explained.

 

Click here for the group fields.

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Speedy Filly The Platinum Queen Supplemented To The Nunthorpe

The three-for-four juvenile filly, The Platinum Queen (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) has been supplemented at a cost of €40,000 to the Aug. 19 G1 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe S. at York, owner Middleham Park Racing XV announced on Saturday morning. Successful at Ripon when unveiled in June, she was unplaced in the G2 Queen Mary S. at Royal Ascot, but regained the winning thread with a 3 3/4-length score in a York novice race in July. She then ran out a four-length winner transferred to Goodwood in a conditions race over five furlongs in a new juvenile course record on July 27.

“We are delighted to announce that after discussions between Richard Fahey and her owners, The Platinum Queen has been supplemented for the G1 Nunthorpe S. at the Ebor Festival where she will be ridden by Hollie Doyle,” Middleham Park Racing said on Twitter.

She will face Sunday's G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest victress Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) among the 17 current nominations.

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Emily Upjohn Out Of Yorkshire Oaks As Raclette Joins The Fray

The Andre Fabre-trained 'TDN Rising Star' Raclette (GB) (Frankel {GB}) who represents Juddmonte, has been added to the Aug. 18 G1 Yorkshire Oaks field, bringing the total number of entries at this stage to 12. A homebred, the daughter of Grade I winner Emollient (Empire Maker) won the G2 Prix de Malleret on Bastille Day last out. John and Thady Gosden's Oaks runner-up Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is the latest defection.

Raclette will face the accomplished Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who is riding a six-race winning streak–the last four at Group 1 level–for breeder Kirsten Rausing and trainer Sir Mark Prescott. The grey mare most recently captured the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud on July 3.

“I see there is a little bit of rain forecast in Yorkshire but the fast ground wouldn't inconvenience me, so I would prefer it if it didn't rain,” said Prescott.

“She did win her German Group 1s with plenty of cut in the ground so she's very versatile. What doesn't suit the others will suit me.

“It's a real privilege to be allowed to train her as a 5-year-old, but Miss Rausing is in a very unusual position that she has so many of the family, that while one of them is doing so well on the racecourse, she can afford to keep racing.

“She is adding value to the other horse whereas most people couldn't do that.”

Rausing could also have another runner in her colours in the Knavesmire race, the Ralph Beckett-trained Albaflora (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}).

Some of the other possibles at this stage include G1 Irish Oaks heroine Magical Lagoon (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) for Jessica Harrington, G1 Pretty Polly S. victress La Petite Coco (Ire) (Ruler Of The World {Ire}) from the Paddy Twomey yard, and three from Ballydoyle led by G1 Oaks scorer Tuesday (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

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