A Happy Ending for Rapid Grey in Ascot?
The King Geoff and Queen Beth Emerald Stakes are one of the greatest Turf Events in Europe and so the 13 runners represent some of the finest Turf Routers in the World,
Let’s take an in-depth look at the Starting Field:
#1 LEONIDAS(IRE) 8/1
http://www.simulatedsports.net/hr/runtime/prettyhorse.asp?hossnum=135565
16 Races – 3 Wins – 190,864$
The 4yo Galileo Colt looks on to take the adventure of a Group 1 Race, so far he made a nice transition from being an ALW horse to a Stakes Horse, by finishing 2nd and 3rd in ungraded Stakes Races this season, the question will be how he handles the step in distance from 10f to 12f, the nice 106 numbers in Stakes races in his last two out see him make nice movements to the top. But overall, this race should be a step too high for him, I hope the Group 1 doesn’t break his morale, as he will find it tough to finish in the Top 3.
#2 SHRIVER MINE 7/1
http://www.simulatedsports.net/hr/runtime/prettyhorse.asp?hossnum=66230
19 Races – 6 Wins – 620,181$
This lightly raced 6yo has been taken the world by storm in 2008. He stepped up from an average ALW horse to one of the top performers. The Dynaformer Colt showed his class early on winning in February and March to take the step to Graded Stakes Races. His highlight was winning the Doomben Cup one of Australias most famous races in May. However he has yet to make a race over 12f, being taken out over 10f so far. The breeding and his racing style suggest he can handle 12f and he should be in the Top 3 today, if he can be at his best.
#3 HEAVY ON THE CREAM 13/1
http://www.simulatedsports.net/hr/runtime/prettyhorse.asp?hossnum=41814
38 Races – 7 Wins – 313,571$
The 6yo Kingmambo Colt was one of the best dirt marathoners in 2007, however his owner seems to have different plans for 2008, he was built up for today in ALW races and made the switch to Turf just 2 races ago, when placing 3rd in a 11f ALW, he was 7th in a Stakes Race last time out, a disappointing 93, makes no hope for today, it’s likely he didn’t run at 100%, but nevertheless looks far off the pace needed for today.
#4 ROYAL STONEWALL(KY) 31/1
http://www.simulatedsports.net/hr/runtime/prettyhorse.asp?hossnum=121437
9 Races – 3 Wins – 68,644$
It’s hard to understand, why the 4yo Royal Academy colt was entered into the race today, he looks like a nice 8-9f ALW horse winning a 9f ALW race with a 102 last time out, but thats about it, sorry, no Stakes class, and will need a huge step in quality and distance to get near the Top 3, realistically no shot here.
#5 CHANTENAY(IRE) 22/1
http://www.simulatedsports.net/hr/runtime/prettyhorse.asp?hossnum=107857
27 Races – 6 Wins – 147,382$
Finishing a distanced 14th in a 14f Group 3 is not the ideal preparation for a 12f Group 1, and the 5yo Theatrical Horse only showed some glimpse of talent so far. He won 2 ALW races over 12f and 10f this season, so he at least is sure to handle the distance, however a 102 might not be enough for today. Another horse that runs a little out of class.
#6 DRAGO DELL’ORO 14/1
http://www.simulatedsports.net/hr/runtime/prettyhorse.asp?hossnum=41823
33 Races – 11 Wins – 455,140$
The 5yo Medaglia d’Oro Horse at least showed some progression late in his career, he ran nice 100+ numbers in all of his last 3 races over 11f, winning 2 ALW races and finishing 3rd in a Stakes Race. At least I can discover a reason why he was entered, still not the material you look for in a Group 1.
#7 RAPID GREY 7/2
http://www.simulatedsports.net/hr/runtime/prettyhorse.asp?hossnum=58738
37 Races – 19 Wins – 7,821,666$
The 6yo Tactical Cat horse is a star of his own, and looks to give his great career another Group 1 win The relative lack of class in the field may give him a good shot, he almost exclusivly runs in Grade 1 Races, and showed his class early in the year, when finishing 2nd in the Sand Castle Golden Turf Classic, he still tops the 100 speed mark with ease, but his last win came in an Ungraded Stakes Race in February. His career highlights include 2 Windy City Turf Classic Wins and a win in the Victorian Derby as a 3yo. He has proven to be one of the best with top 5 finishes in the Breeders Bowl, a win here in Europe will make him a Grade 1 winner in 4 seasons in a row.
#8 RURAL LAW(IRE) 9/1
http://www.simulatedsports.net/hr/runtime/prettyhorse.asp?hossnum=115629
24 Races – 7 Wins – 2,498,755$
Last years Japan Classic Winner has yet to get on track in 2008, the 4yo Law Society Colt looks like a longer break from january to May took some racing power out of his legs, he finished 6th and 7th in two Grade 1 Races in the US in his last 2. He won 4 Grade 1 Races last year including the Adelaide Derby and finished 2nd in the most prestigous 3yo Classic on turf the Derby de English. It has to be seen, if he was just a little rusty after the break, or if his racing stuff has gone out. Expect him to be there today, I feel he will comeback and give it a great duell with the Old Star Rapid Grey.
#9 QUESTING BEAST(ENG) 6/1
http://www.simulatedsports.net/hr/runtime/prettyhorse.asp?hossnum=124487
23 Races – 5 Wins – 937,832$
Just 63,000$ short of becoming a millionaire prize money earner Questing Beast comes in with a nice track record in Grade 1 Races, he won the Littly Guppy Classic in may and cemented his class by finishing 2nd last time out in the United Countries Handicap, has proven he can run 105+ speeds over 12f, which makes him a contender for a Top 3 finish, if he is at it’s best can beat Rapid Grey.
#10 ROSENTHAL(IRE) 4/1
http://www.simulatedsports.net/hr/runtime/prettyhorse.asp?hossnum=55307
33 Races – 10 Wins – 2,605,220$
The 5yo Rock of Gibraltar Horse had an up and down year so far, he already won a Grade 2 and a Grade 3 Race, but in the Grade 1’s he came a tap short, finishing 3rd in the Sand Castle Golden turf Classic and 5th last time out in the United Countries Handicap, that makes him 0-2 in those races against Questing Beast and Rapid Grey, 2 horses he’ll have to beat to get to the Winner’s Circle today, with his performances reaching from 99 to 115, it’s tough to make a good prediction, could finish on Top, but could also finish last, stay away from, if you want to make a safe bet.
#11 RAINBAND(AUS) 8/1
http://www.simulatedsports.net/hr/runtime/prettyhorse.asp?hossnum=114600
26 Races – 9 Wins – 1,363,775$
Rainband is more a Marathon type of horse, his only win this year came at 16f, and he usually shows a late closing strategy, when racing 12f or shorter, which suggests he needs longer distances. He finished 5th in the Sand Castle Golden turf Classic, which showed exactly that, he trailed early, and his late finish came not early enough. Will likely catch drifting runners, that can’t get the distance, but a Top 3 finish will be hard to realize.
#12 A CASE IN POINT(KY) 99/1
http://www.simulatedsports.net/hr/runtime/prettyhorse.asp?hossnum=63219
44 Races – 7 Wins – 775,159$
I guess Tsunami wants to set a new record of last place finished in a Grade 1, no more comment.
#13 KHARTOUM III(IRE) 23/1
http://www.simulatedsports.net/hr/runtime/prettyhorse.asp?hossnum=111571
19 Races – 3 Wins – 154,146$
The 4yo Sadler’s Wells Colt showed rising form when cracking 100 for the first time, finishing 2nd in an ALW 11f turf Race last time out, except that, there is no hope for this horse, likely outclassed all the way.
The Group 1 lacks a little in Depth, Rapid Grey, Rural Law and Rosenthal are classy horses with great careers, Questing Beast and Shriver Mine are up and coming horses, those 5 should battle it out for the Top 3, with the rest needing huge miracles, but these often happen in Racing…..