I took the underground (train) to Waterloo. I stood in line for about 10 minutes. A London-Ascot return ticket is eleven pounds. There was a train leaving for Reading at 11 45 AM and Ascot is a stop before reaching Reading. The train was a ‘racegoer’ special. In England, on big race days, groups of people bring champagne and plastic cups and do the drinking while the train is moving. Betting is a critical part of horseracing anywhere but at Royal Ascot, the emphasis is on the social aspect of the event.
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| Ascot Grandstand overlooking the paddock |
Making my way to the betting ring in the grandstand, I sought a bench to take the load off my feet. It was time to catch up on information in the Racing Post and read the race comments in the race card. Mastercraftsman and Canford Cliffs were my two (good) propositions and I was taking a second look at Gladiatorus in the opener, the Queen Anne Stakes. Gladiatorus opened at 9-4, drifted to 5-2 and began touching 11-4. The vibes were not good. Yet, I was influenced by the fact the Godolphin runner was the highest rated horse in the world. I made my wager. The royal procession came into view.
Gladiatorus, with permission from the stewards, went to post ahead of his rivals. Paco Boy, 7-2 at one time, was getting shorter. As post time approached, Paco Boy came down to 3-1.
The gates opened as a roar could be heard. Ahmed Ajtebi had Gladiatorus in front and had built a four-length lead as he raced past the first 400 meters. With 800 metres to run, jockey Ajtebi had moved to the stands’ side. There were 600 metres left and the pack was closing in. A little over 400 metres left and you could hear the commentator say. “Gladiatorus has been swept aside.” Emerging from the group was Paco Boy and jockey Hughes had pressed the button. The Richard Hannon trainee bounded forward and Cesare went in chase. The winner of the Queen Anne Stakes had been sighted.
I asked jockey Hughes about the ground and when the decision to go with Paco Boy was taken. “I walked the course Saturday. Monday’s rain helped. I called trainer Hannon (Hughes’s father in law) and said the ground was perfect. I felt confident halfway home.”
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| Krish with female fans |
Paco Boy won by one and one half lengths. The 1600-metre (straight) race was run in 1 39.31 and the winner’s share of the purse was 167.471 pounds. Paco Boy is by Desert Style out of Tappen Zee by Sandhurst Prince. The course had been rated as ‘good to firm.’
Next came the King’s Stand Stakes over 1000 metres. Scenic Blast could be backed at 3-1 though 11-4 was the general price. Jockey Steven Arnold, 5 feet 9 inches tall, had the Australian runner held up and produced him with 400 metres left, Not many moments had passed before Scenic Blast blasted his way to the lead. Jockey Arnold had to keep Scenic Blast to his task as Fleeting Spirit mounted a fierce challenge in the final 100 metres.
Scenic Blast‘s time was 59.54 and earned 170,310 pounds for his victory. It was the third time that the King’s Stand Stakes had been won by an Australian sprinter in the past four years. Scenic Blast is by Scenic out of Daughter’s Charm who is by Delgado.
Trainer Dan Morton spoke. “It is fantastic. Everything went according to plan. I was very happy and (jockey) Steven said he had a lot of horse. We will consider the July Cup and there will be enough rest after this race.”
Jockey Steven Arnold praised his mount. “This is the highlight of my career. He does all the work. You only have to point him in the right direction. It was a super effort. He was going very well.”
Mastercraftsman was 4-5 and touched 5-6 as horses reached the starting gate for the (round) 1600-metre St James Palace Stakes. Delegator was 5-1 and shortened to 9-2. Set Sail, an O’Brien runner, set a fast pace. Mastercraftsman was second. Delegator raced a couple of lengths away. Turning for home, John Murtagh called on Mastercraftsman and the favourite was in front in a trice. The Irish 2000 Guineas winner was being hailed but the race had not been settled yet. Responding to jockey Jimmy Fortune’s call, Delegator began to chase the favourite. For a moment or two, Delegator headed Mastercraftsman. John Murtagh was drawing on all his reserves. The post loomed large. I had reconciled to the favourite’s defeat. Mastercrafsman fought back and regained the advantage (a neck) in the shadow of the wire.
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| A bookmaker trying to attract business |
Trainer O’Brien lavished praise on his colt. “It was a great performance. Unbelievable. He is an amazing horse with speed, stamina and all ground comes alike to him. It was a marvelous performance from Johnny.”
John Murtagh explained the race. “I committed him earlier than I wanted. He gets lazy in front. When Delegator came, you could see my horse had his head down and was really trying. He gave 110%. He is brave like all Ballydoyle horses I’ve ridden-they never know when they’re beaten.”
Brian Meehan, Delegator’s trainer, expressed satisfaction. “We were in front for a moment. It was a hell of a run and it pours ice on all the people who knocked him in Ireland.”
The next race was the 1200-metre Coventry Stakes for two year-olds. Winner of a Newbury maiden in runaway fashion, Canford Cliffs, a Richard Hannon pupil, was the 15-8 favourite. It was a rout. Canford Cliffs, Richard Hughes up, won by six lengths in 1 13.64. The race was worth 56,770 pounds to the winner. Canford Cliffs is by Tegula out of Mrs Marsh who is by Marju.
“He was absolutely brilliant. He burst out of the gate. He is some racehorse, “jockey Hughes exulted.
Trainer Hannon said, “he needs looking after. He is special. We will pick our targets carefully.”
Richard Hughes won the next race, the Ascot Stakes over 3000 metres. Judgethemoment, a 13-2 chance, prevailed in a three-way battle.
In the last and sixth race, Wesley Ward, the America-based trainer, made history by sending out the first winner trained in America. John Velasquez was on the 33-1 chance, Strike The Tiger. Another 33-1 chance, Fratellion took the runner-up berth.
Trainer Ward reacted. “I think this just proves if you get a horse right on the day, it does not matter if they are running in Australia or China or anywhere.”
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| Richard Hughes at a press conference |
John Murtagh landed in hotter water after the first day at Royal Ascot. He has a five-day ban that begins on Friday. On Tuesday, he drew a seven-day suspension for three offenses. The stewards charged him with excessive use of the whip on Mastercraftsman. He incurred the wrath of the judges for careless riding on Kayf Aramis in the Ascot Stakes. Martin Dwyer, on Ermine Sea, was bumped and almost came down. Murtagh was charged with failure to ride out after the incident in the Ascot Stakes. The ban will cover the June 30-July 6 period which means jockey Murtagh will miss Sandown’s Eclipse Stakes and Chantilly’s Prix Jean Prat.
Today, Wednesday, the first race is the Jersey Stakes for three year-olds. It is over 1400 metres. The second race is the Windsor Forest Stakes, a 1600-metre race for fillies and mares. Lush Lashes, winner of the 2008 Coronation Stakes is the favourite. Heaven Sent, Proviso and Eva’s Request oppose.
The Prince of Wakes Stakes is up next. It is over 2000 metres. I like the chances of Tartan Bearer who was second to New Approach in the Epsom Derby and an unlucky third in the Irish Derby. Ryan Moore will ride the Michael Stoute-trained colt. Never On Sunday, a product of the Rouget-Lemaire team, is in the field. Never On Sunday won the Grade I Prix d’Ispahan at Longchamp and Lemaire has been making bullish statements. There is another French runner. Vision d’Etat, Olivier Peslier up, is the 2008 French Derby winner. In his last start, Vision d’Etat won the Group I Prix Ganay at Longchamp.
The Royal Hunt Cup over 1600 metres with 30 runners follows. It is time for a tea break. The Queen Mary is next. It is a 1000-metre dash for freshman girls. The Sandringham handicap is the finale. It has 21 runners going 1600 metres. It is for sophomore fillies.
On Monday, I was at a William Hill betting shop. Can you guess who I was with? Garfield Sobers, would you believe? He is an avid horse player. I did not get the courage to ask for a picture to be taken. I will try the next time.
