September 6 – York – Extremely Zain – 87
Double Rush was the one punters wanted to know in this listed sprint but he bumped into a progressive three-year-old who found improved form dropping back in trip. William Haggas’ inmate arrived on the Knavesmire following a slightly below par effort in the Hungerford over seven-furlongs but off a strong pace and ease underfoot, which made it a proper test, his stamina came to the fore in the closing stages. Now establishing himself in this category, further success should come his way under similar conditions and the Bengough Stakes at Ascot could be an option connections might exploit next.
September 7 – Wolves – Song N Dance – 86
An extremely well run affair for a race of its kind and it produced a speed figure to match how events unfolded. Sean Woods’ filly had to be ridden from her outside gate to be prominent early, but she was then able to sit nicely in behind the pace once Knight’s Gold had taken over the mantle at the head of affairs. Getting a lovely trail through into the straight, the daughter of Bated Breath was eased off the curb to obtain a clear run inside the final two furlongs and once striking the front, she showed plenty of determination to fend off a host of challengers. Although she has got some useful form on the grass, her form figures on the all-weather now read an impressive 42121 and she is worth keeping on side when encountering this sort of surface in future.
September 10 – Doncaster – Waardah – 85
Prizeland proved all the rage beforehand but she failed in her bid to back up her effort in the Galtres at York and with the door left ajar, Owen Burrows’ inmate proved good enough to grasp the opportunity presented. The daughter of Postponed wasn’t beaten too far in the Lillie Langtry at Goodwood and she saw this extra yardage really well, staying on too strongly for the likes of Danielle and Consent in the closing stages. The fact she was keen in the early stages despite the hood and yet still managed to win is testimony to her ability and she should have a decent chance of making her Group 1 breakthrough in the Prix De Royallieu on Arc weekend.
September 11 – Doncaster – Final Objective – 79
Some really sharp types in this two-year-old listed contest and it was the one who bought the best form to the table who came out on top. Hamad Al Jehani’s gelding had finished a creditable runner-up in The Gimcrack at York previously and even though he was dropping back down to the minimum trip, he easily had the sufficient speed to offset that slight unknown. Reportedly not the easiest to train and a bit wayward here, he certainly has the talent to justify the decision to head towards The Mill Reef as his next assignment.
September 11 – Sandown – Perfect Strike – 78
Ivory Moon was all the rage to follow up her debut success at Chester but she failed to handle the softer conditions and William Haggas’ colt didn’t need any second invitation to take advantage. Breaking well, the son of Perfect Power soon occupied the ideal spot just behind the pace setter and once picking up the running two out, he gradually worked his way clear of his main market rival, who belatedly ran on for second. Clearly proving himself a more potent force under testing ground, this powerfully-built juvenile could be in line for a productive autumn if similar conditions apply.
September 12 – Doncaster – Highwayman – 87
Probably not the strongest St Leger’s ever run but that should not take anything away from the winner, who took his level of improvement to even higher peaks, landing this Group 1 with a bit to spare. From humble beginnings, Joseph O’Brien’s colt arrived at Town Moor following a convincing display in a listed event at Leopardstown but even so, he still had to find more to cope with the likes of Derby winner Christmas Day and stable mate, Enceladas, who was the clear pick of the pair based on form. However, the son of Persian King proved equal to the task in no uncertain terms and in giving Saffie Osbourne a day she will never forget, he scored in the style of a worthy winner. Set to head down under now to contest the Melbourne Cup, there is no reason why he wouldn’t justify his place in a race of that nature now he has run a speed figure to suggest a strongly run race is right up his street.
September 12 – Doncaster – Scoville – 86
William Haggas’ inmate had probably been one of the most frustrating horses in training this season until finally coming good in this competitive affair but now finally in the zone, it would come as no surprise if he were to keep the ball rolling. The way he went through this strongly run affair suggests he is right back to his best and similar patient tactics can be seen to good effect in future.
September 13 – Curragh – Comanche Brave – 91
A typically competitive Group 1 sprint with most of the usual suspects in the field but it was turned into a bit of a procession by easily one of the most improved horses racing in this category all season. His July Cup win was clearly the best form on offer heading into the race but as we have seen so many times during the campaign, finding something to repeat the dose in the sprinting ranks has been nigh on impossible. The fact Donnacha O’Brien’s inmate managed to buck the trend with so much to spare indicates how much ability he harbours and he has options between now and the end of the season all over the globe.
September 13 – Curragh – Thundering On – 86
They went a proper gallop in this Group 2 fillies contest and the patient ride Joseph O’Brien’s filly was afforded ended up being the right strategy. That said, the turn of foot she exhibited to glide by her rivals heading down to the furlong pole was impressive – bettered only by Comanche Brave – and she looked a different horse to the one who disappointed slightly on her previous outing over the same C&D. Clearly a filly who thrives with a bit of ease underfoot, she will be a danger to all whichever race she contests come Arc weekend and she wouldn’t be out of place in the big one itself.