August 16 – Curragh – Liberation Date – 82
A tremendous performance from Jack Foley’s inmate, jumping out fast from stall 12 of 12 to make all the running in a very fast time for the grade. The three-year-old filly had tried to execute a similar feat in a better race three starts ago, so she clearly likes the Kildare venue, and while the ground stays fast, she might be capable of nicking another handicap before the season ends.
August 18 – Wolves – Spaceman – 79
Richard & Peter Fahey’s inmate had got away with the minimum trip when scoring at the same venue earlier in the season but he looked liked the type who would improve for racing over further and so it proved. Held up towards the rear in the early stages of a well run affair, the son of Starman came through strongly in the final two furlongs to win going away and he looked to have more to offer as he hit the line. The fact he was one of the few horses to buck the trend of prominent racers holding sway at the Dunstall track backs up the view he is a three-year-old colt on the up and he just needs to go and translate his all-weather form to turf to become a more rounded individual.
August 19 – York – Maltese Cross – 84
Ordinarily, a speed figure of 84 would dominate the landscape of most cards but such was the performances of those in the Juddmonte, William Haggas’ colt was rather put into the shade. That said, it was still a career high from the son of Sea The Stars and he booked his ticket to the St Leger should connections go down that route instead of the Arc. A tough character will class and stamina in equal measures, he will be a player in either contest.
August 19 – York – Item – 93
A stellar line up for the big race of the meeting and due the exploits of the pacemakers, the result was an extraordinary speed figure – the best we have had for some years. The fact the big two in the market, Ombudsman and Constitution River both cried enough inside the final two furlongs tells you all you need to know about the brutality of this Group 1 in the conditions and the winner had to be strong to overcome a back-to-form, Almaqam – who once again, proved how good he is with genuine cut in the ground. As for Andrew Balding’s colt, he is now 3-3 on the Knavesmire, where clearly the long, flowing nature of the track suits his run style and although connections know he can’t run there every time, he is still likely to be a threat in many big races around the globe when the emphasis is on stamina.
August 19 – York – Miss Yerchance – 85
A wide open sprint handicap beforehand, with many of the usual suspects facing each other again and this time it was the turn of Karl Burke’s filly to come out on top. Suited by the flat track, emphasising her speed, she obtained enough of a buffer on her rivals to fend off the late challengers and there did not appear any fluke about his victory. Of the rest, both Old Is Gold and Manatee Mehmas did best of those drawn high and they can pay to follow in the coming months.
August 20 – Newmarket – Race To The Stars – 83
Outside of York, easily one of the most taking winners of the week both visually and on the clock. Having his first outing for nearly a year, the son of Sea The Stars impressed with the way he travelled throughout a well run affair and the turn of foot he exhibited inside the final two furlongs was in the sign of a horse who deserves to be on a bigger stage. Where he goes from here largely depends on the handicapper but wherever he lines up next, rest assured, he is one to keep on side.
August 20 – York – Libertango – 77
We witnessed two top class performances in the opening races on day two and George Boughey’s inmate was the first to impress. Seemingly poorly drawn in stall 15, Billy Loughnane took the decision to switch over towards the far side but in doing so, he forfeited valuable ground to her main market rival, Star Of State. The fact she was still able to outrun the well punted favourite in the latter stages is testimony to her qualities and she is likely to take high rank in all the remaining Group 1 fillies races this season.
August 20 – York – Sun Goddess – 78
Aidan O’Brien’s filly also had to overcome adversity to win her race and her time suggests she would have gone close in the Lowther over the same C&D. Stopped in her run at a crucial stage, the daughter of Sioux Nation looked to face an impossible task to get back into the race but such is her class, she made up the lost leeway to in the end, score going away. A filly with a huge engine who is a very strong stayer at the trip, she should easily get further in time and she comes across as a readymade Guineas horse for next season.
August 20 – York – Prizeland – 88
We could have easily included Kalpana into the column with a figure of 85 but she actually dropped off from Ascot last time and it seems more pertinent to focus on this fillies’ contest at a slightly lower level. A strongly run affair, Andrew Balding’s filly came from some way off the pace to outstay her rivals late on and this victory indicated she is a horse well and truly on the upgrade. The fact the field got strung out like washing backs up the view it was a strong race for the grade and she would be an interesting contender in the Fillies And Mares contest on Champions Day should connections decide to make the supplementary entry.
August 21 – York – Arapaho Gold – 79
A card with plenty of useful times but nothing you wouldn’t expect from top class horses and the standout one as far as we are concerned is this Group 2 for juveniles. Michael Dods’ gelding overcame trouble in running to announce himself on the big stage at Newbury last time out and he took his game to another level here, showing a sparkling turn of foot to pull clear of his field. Clearly a very fast youngster with a great appetite for his work, he could end up being top class if connections can keep a lid on him.
August 22 – Newmarket – Night In Vegas – 78
Eve Johnson Houghton’s was quite rightly all the rage following his excellent effort in a Group 2 at Goodwood previously and he didn’t disappoint his supporters. Pulling right away late on, he ended up posting a very smart speed figure and the rest of the season could bear even more fruit on the evidence of this display.
August 22 – York – Archivist – 85
A dominant display by a horse taking a huge step up in class and while some might not have run up to their best form, that should take nothing away from his performance. Already a winner on the Knavesmire, the son of Dubawi put his valuable track form to good use – a theme for the meeting – and with time on his side, he could easily take his game up another notch.
August 22 – York – Sale Shark – 77
The slow start of Dubai Champion left this contest up for grabs and Hugo Palmer’s colt took the opportunity with open arms. Outpaced early, his stamina kicked into play when others cried enough late on and in the end, he ran out a decisive winner. He won’t look out of place in next month’s Mill Reef if connections aren’t seduced by an Irish sales race the previous week, especially if there is some ease in the ground.