Racing Post Trophy 2009

[Anonymous]

I’d still maintain that he simply got done for toe over Deauville’s sharp 6f on very fast ground that day (RP time-based ground for that meeting was

firm

). He had been allowed to use his stride over the stiffer 6f of the Coventry (On a more testing surface – RP tbg

good

) and had them all on the stretch from some way out whereas, in an attempt to teach him to settle in the Morny, he wasn’t allowed his biggest asset and it cost him the race.
It’s my firm opinion that Arcano (and probably everything else) won’t see where Canford Cliffs went next season, at any distance from 6f to 1m, and the Hannon horse will run in, and win, the Guineas – whatever the ground.

ps to Andyod.
He had recovered enough to be considered for the Middle Park – but was taken out because of the fast ground.

[Aragorn]

I thought he was actually quite sick when he got back from France and thats why they put him out to grass.

Amazed Awzaan has only had a passing mention, he is certainly a contender. Whether he stays or not though i’m not sure.

[Anonymous]

Aragorn

From RP, 1st September:

TRAINER Richard Hannon said on Tuesday that one-time Stanjames.com 2,000 Guineas favourite Canford Cliffs remains on target for the Shadwell Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket on October 2, but added he would have "no hesitation" in putting the son of Tagula away for the season if the ground was too quick.

The impressive Coventry Stakes winner suffered the first defeat of his career behind Arcano in the Darley Prix Morny last month, a defeat Hannon was quick to put down to the ground.
"I still think that it was the firm ground which prevented Canford Cliffs stretching out at Deauville," Hannon said on his website.

"I cannot recall seeing one horse win from the stands side through the entire length of the Deauville meeting, so you’d have to think that we were handicapped by racing next to the fence. They smashed the course record and it was obviously very firm, and if it looked like being similar ground at Newmarket we would have no hesitation in packing Canford Cliffs up until next season.

"However, granted a bit of ease in the ground at Newmarket, I could be tempted by the Middle Park. I suspect that he would have to take on Showcasing there, but we know ours is very good and he is rated 5lb better than the Gimcrack winner anyway."

[RedRiot]

If Canford didn’t like the firm at Deauville I don’t know how he would like 1m at Newmarket on fast ground.

Personally 12’s is pvery good value but I don’t see him as the strongest contender for the race.

[thehorsesmouth]

"Maxilon 5" wrote: Hi Bosranic,

Hughes was unequivocal in his assessment of Canford Cliffs. He believes the colt to be the best he has ever sat on. You heard him, I heard him. I’ll never forget his post-Coventry interview. Remember, Hughes rode Oasis Dream and Three Valleys, plus numerous other Prince Khalid bluebloods: That was some statement.

Hughes was devastated after Deauville, a result which I put down to the swamp draw as much as anything, and it is notable that Canford was immediately roughed off for the winter, leaving the overmatched sprinter Dick Turpin to take the limelight.

Throughout all the bold statements, in May and June, the wily Hannon never once contradicted Hughes in his exuberance.

Hannon has got plenty of previous: Mon Fils, Tirol, Lucky Lindy and Redback are just four horses who have won or run monster races in the 2000 Guineas for the yard so he would know the type necessary to make an impression. He also trained flying juveniles like Lyric Fantasy, Risky, Rock City and Niche so he would know the difference between a fast, precocious type and a Guineas prospect. Canford has been campaigned like the latter.

Natter about Steinbeck makes me smile. Canford hacked all over Xtension at Ascot – Cox’s colt and the rest were in a different time zone – and Xtension only just got beat in an unremarkable Dewhurst, beating Steinbeck comfortably. I know who I would plunge on.

If you think that’s the height of Steinbeck’s ability then you’re not right in the head. O’Brien has always said he thinks Steinbeck is "abnormal". I have no hesitation in saying he was the best horse in the Dewhurst.

[Author]

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