The Milan Grand Prix

12f Turf Grade 1 (Italy)

What an outstanding field we have here in what’s predicted to be an overcast and showery Milan to contest the 2023 edition of the Milan Grand Prix. As a side note the real life equivalent of this race is the Gran Premio di Milano which is a Group 2 event over 11f……. but like most things simulated racing does it so much better than real life racing and so we will enjoy the Group 1 status that the simulated version presents for us.

The Milan Grand Prix will be run over a distance of 12f, many of Derbyfever’s dominant turf horses excel at either 10f or 12f and so could we see another star on the rise here? We will soon know as these 12 horses get ready to strut their stuff for their respective trainers. The 12f distance is not for the faint hearted, horses need not only the ability to run out 2400m but they also need a decent turn of foot if they are going to be successful at this, the top level of racing.

Could we even possibly see one of these horses on the up go on to do bigger and better things later on in the year such as contest the Arc? They all have to start somehere perhaps the Milan Grand Prix will be the launching pad one of these horses needs to either revive a failing career or kickstart a promising early one.

Without further deliberation let’s take a look at the 12 horses that will be competing in the hope of taking out the Grand Prix for their connections.

1. Yunkish Wares (Galileo x Kingmambo x Deep Impact) 7/1

10: 5-2-2

4yo bay horse

Interesting name would like to know the meaning behind it? This impeccably bred son of Galileo is the real deal. He ran 2^nd in the Group 2 Clubhouse Stakes last start beaten by Dubawi Port also in this field. Before that he won an ungraded stakes race over 11.5f in fine style running slick time.

Trained by Dan the man master trainer Given who is currently taking all before him this guy is sure to present Dan with another strong chance to add to his 2023 season Group 1 tally. He’s in red hot form, comes into the race with a nice form reference from the Clubhouse stakes and he also has a 50% win rate to date in the first part of his career…. There’s really not much to not like about Yunkish Wares who will be sure to make his presence felt and look the winner at some stage of the race. Expect him to try to lead the field gate to wire.

2. Extreme Cuffs (Extreme Choice x English Channel x Giant’s Causeway) 10/1

15: 4-5-4

4yo bay gelding

Extreme Cuffs is a stakes placed son of boom Australian sire Extreme Choice. Extreme Choice Extreme Choice | Newgate Stud Farm received a noted upgrade from the boss MW at the end of the 2022 racing season due to his outstanding real life stud performance.

Extreme Cuffs‘ best form has been at 10-11f however he ran a very nice race 5 starts ago where he won by 2.25L in fast time over 12f so he has shown he can measure up at the distance.

For his master trainer though Oldmoonfarms, this fellow would have been one of frustration looking like a world beater one minute then being well beaten the next. Every time he has been asked to step out in stakes or better company he seems to not come up to the mark including his lead up race last start in the Group 3 Urdsula Von Der Leyen Classic where he ran 7th beaten 9.75L over 12f.

Certainly looks to have ability though he would need to show a marked improvement in stakes company to have any confidence in tipping him for this event and no doubt for his trainer to have confidence going into a big race like this. Looks to be tested in this company good luck to connections it would be great to see him break through here and go on to bigger and better things.

3. Dubawi’s Port (Dubawi x Sea The Stars x Medicean) 5/1

19: 8-2-3

5yo bay horse

This horse is a beauty and has shown an affinity for both turf and dirt racing posting several super quick times on both surfaces. Last time out he scored impressively in the Clubhouse Stakes (G2) at 12f and two starts back he won the Gary Trent Stakes (G3) over the same distance also in impressive fashion in fast time.

He’s fast, he loves the trip, he’s well bred and he’s in form so is there any negative? Perhaps not however if there is one query on Dubawi’s Port it could be the class factor at Group 1 level. He tried G1 racing once in between the two abovementioned races he ran a disappointing 10^th beaten 19L which was sure to have had his trainer Harrylan scratching his head – on face value he doesn’t look to have been injured either on his turnaround time and subsequent performance at his following start in the Clubhouse Stakes.

I suspect he may have had a saddle slip or other mishap on the day as he certainly bounced back well the next start and may have just needed the run at the level to get a feel for the big time only his trainer will be able to answer that and be interesting to see that pop up in the comments section below. If he can run to his best he is more than capable of taking out his first Group 1 race here.

4. Tete Kreft (Mastercraftsman x Authorized x Forty Niner) 16/1

14: 6-1-2

5yo light grey gelding

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that Tete Kreft can win this. At 16/1 he is one of the outsiders of the field but that is based off his lead up runs at unsuitable distances of 14-16 furlongs. His 12-13f form is red hot including a 5th last year in the Group 1 Saint Cloud Grand Prix and he may just appreciate the drop back in distance compared to what he’s been asked to do in recent efforts.

The wet form is a slight query as he appears to run better on top of the ground though from only two wet attempts you would be reluctant to write this son of Mastercraftsman off. His trainer Sabbath has two runners in the race the other being Tete Kaerulean a more favoured 10/1 chance. No doubt he will be hoping one of his two-pronged attack can give him a slightly better experience in the Milan Grand Prix than the recent youtube video he shared on the main message board.

A big watch on Tete Kreft, his record of 6 wins from 14 starts is great, but looks a lot sharper around 12-13f form.

5. King of Dubawi (Dubawi x Kingmambo x Montjeu) 7/1

16: 5-3-2

4yo bay gelding

King of Dubawi had the ultimate gear change October 2022 after finishing 8^th by 12.25L in the G2 Cherry Limb Stakes. A run that by the looks of things frustrated his master trainer rubber5 and resulted in him being swiftly 2 stone lighter.

Since his return from the operation and subsequent farm spell, this regally bred son of Dubawi has had 5 races for 2 wins (both at allowance level) and has also placed in a Group 2 event at Surrey last time out over 14f. interestingly though he has not raced over the Milan Grand Prix distance of 12f since returning from his spell but his form prior at the trip was excellent having 4 starts for 2 wins (allowance level) and two G2 placings.

The gelding procedure can’t have been an easy decision given the pedigree and the move has been well planned. Make no mistake this race is no after thought…… it’s a great chance for King of Dubawi to repay his trainer’s faith in him and break through for a win here. Can definitely win and looks a great chance to do so.

6. Blade of Bangkok (Deep Impact x Street Cry x Lyphard) 3/1

23: 8-7-3

6yo bay horse

This Group 2 winning son of Deep impact is flying at the moment and won impressively in fast time last start in the Carlsbad Lessons at the same track in Italy. He didn’t start stakes racing until March 2022 but since then has posted some huge performances without striking through at the highest level. He ran 4^th in the New Zealand Derby 3 starts back beaten 9 lengths but that seemed to be the platform for a sharp rise in performance culminating in his impressive win last start.

He is trained by the powerful Lenny271 empire and he knows how to get his horses right for these big events. It would not surprise here to see the master trainer take out this event and add to his season’s Group 1 tally as this horse has been expertly managed and peaking at the right time for this race. Hard to beat, leading chance.

7. Doubtlessly (Not A Single Doubt x Rainbow Quest x Zabeel) 5/1

23: 5-6-3

5yo bay gelding

Doubtlessly ran a cracking race over 11.5f two starts back in ungraded company in the Firm Idea Turf Stayer. That run alone bucked the trend of his career preceding that where he appeared to be an out and out 10f horse.

Last start then he ran a nice 3rd in the Manha Manha challenge over 10f where he again gave every indication to his trainer absinthacres that he would prefer to be up over some more ground finishing well but still well beaten.

Interestingly being by Not a Single Doubt you would question whether he would make 12f however his back end of Rainbow Quest x Zabeel nips that query in the bud and accounts for his recent form. I feel he is a great place chance in this race though one that could surprise and knock them all over if the race tempo goes his way.

Marginal winning chance, great place chance

8. Radical Solution (New Approach x Minsehaft x Danzig) 9/1

24: 5-2-4

5yo bay horse

Radical Solution is an interesting runner from the sirivor stable group.

He is interesting because his best looks well behind him at 24 career starts….. he has been out of the top three placings in all of his last 4 starts and has steadily tallied off in his race times. He also looks to prefer a 10-11f trip to the Grand Prix’s 12f. The last time he tackled 12f was in Grade 2 company 2 starts back where he was well beaten 19L on a dry track.

So why is he interesting? His trainer sirivor is a very experienced and widely respected trainer of almost 18,000 races that knows a good horse when he has one. He’ll be hoping his warrior by New Approach can pull one out of the hat here and knock off the big boys. The wet track will be to his liking as well.

Looks tested will have to run a career best to be competitive here.

9. Say Hello to MLF (Dundeel x Raven’s Pass x Montjeu) 70/1

6: 3-0-0

3yo chestnut colt

By Dundeel out of the Group 1 winning Raven’s Pass mare Yayyo this 3yo is the baby of the field and very lightly raced. Back to his dam Yayyo for a moment; she won the Adelaide Oaks before placing 2nd in the Irish Oaks she was one of the premier 3yo’s of her generation.

This guy for me is a star in the making but is in the wrong race as a June 3yo colt, he could have been running in the likes of the Irish Derby himself trying to emulate his mother’s feats in 3yo classic racing. He instead has been cast against older horses hence the 70/1 odds…….. at least on face value. The reality may be he has a very astute trainer behind the houseriot stables that has observed this race to be weaker than some of the 3yo form and is perhaps strategically trying to qualify for bigger and better things in the back half of the season.

Really like this colt, he will love the 12f based on his mare and also being by Dundeel a huge plus for the trip. Perhaps this one will be a tune up to go back to 3yo grade next start and be extremely hard to beat.

Tough ask here.

10. Tete Kaerulean (Rulership x High Chaparral x Cozzene) 10/1

16: 5-3-2

5yo bay gelding

Sabbath’s 2nd runner and rated a better chance by bookies at 10/1. I’ll call him TK because as simple as the Kaerulean looks it’s a headspin trying to repeat it accurately. TK was sent for the ultimate gear change after his first 3 starts which then resulted in a sharp improvement in performance next out over 11.5f once he returned from his enforced layoff while the simulated wounds healed up.

Or did it….? TK’s pedigreee and dosage suggest he may even like 14-16f so he should relish the step out in trip to 12f in the Grand Prix vs his recent runs. He’s a really nice horse and relatively lightly raced compared to some of his opposition here. While he might not be at his peak distance at 12f he should be able to match strides with the big guns for a long way here and would not surpirse to see a top 3 finish in this field.

Interesting watch here but would be excited to see what he could do over even further in future events.

11. Golden Declaration (Golden Horde x Declaration of War x Dynaformer) 22/1

16: 3-3-1

4yo light grey gelding

Master trainer Ajay11 sends out this recently gelded son of Golden Horde. Best career run was an ungraded stakes 4^th placing 3 starts back over 12f. He’s going to really struggle in this field running first up over 12f from a farm spell in grade 1 company is sure to put this fellow to the test.

He seems to have hit the board nicely over shorter trips earlier on in his career perhaps that would be more to his liking than this event.

I feel like the 22/1 is very generous and will find this race a challenge based on recent form.

12. Fboy Etiquette (Curlin x War Front x Street Cry) 21/1

12: 4-4-1

4yo bay horse

The ‘Boy’ as his fans call him is the only Group 1 winner in the field and that came back in July 2022 where he won the Irish Derby at 12f. He won that race in dominant fashion by 2L which also capped off a 4 race win streak for master trainer MTK76 in what was at the time a sensational training effort.

Since that time he has failed to re -enter the winner’s circle albeit only running 3 times since then. Perhaps he is crying out for a run over more ground on turf of the likes of 14-16f? Did he peak in his 3yo Irish Derby campaign? perhaps he’d relish a change to dirt over 12f type trips for a freshen up? All these questions will be answered come race day however he will need to be at his best to be competitive in this field on current form.

Past champion can he recapture that form.

Selections:

1. Blade of Bangkok
2. Dubawi’s Port
3. King of Dubawi

Good luck to all runners!