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Having been encouraged by a friend who works for the Irish Field to write a racing article after constantly badgering him about the ever-declining standards of that paper, I decided to do a few racing pieces. My first effort was an attempt at reviewing the St. James’s Palace Stakes.
All comments and criticisms are appreciated.
NOTE: I realize the Rock of Gibraltar stat is not correct!
St. James’s Palace Stakes (17/06/2008)
(1) Henrythenavigator (AP O’Brien)
(2) Raven’s Pass (John Gosden)
(3) Twice Over (HR Cecil)For all of the tradition that invariably accompanies Royal Ascot, the posh frocks and the royal procession, at its essence the meeting is defined by great horses competing in great races. Few examples this week could illustrate that point more clearly or emphatically than Henrythenavigator’s victory in Tuesday’s St. James’s Palace Stakes (though his Ballydoyle stablemate Yeats may have something to say about that come Thursday). In winning the race, the Aidan O’Brien trained Kingmambo colt was becoming the first colt since former Ballydoyle inmate Rock Of Gibraltar to follow up the Newmarket-Curragh Guineas double with victory at Ascot, himself the first since To-Agouri-Mou in 1981.
However, the comparison between Rock of Gibraltar and Henrythenavigator does not end with their similar race records up until this point of their 3yo career. Like “the Rock” Henrythenavigator is a strongly-built, not overly-big colt who seems to thrive on his racing. Perhaps most significantly, Henrythenavigator possesses a similar high cruising speed as well as the withering turn of foot that Rock of Gibraltar used to win 7 Group 1 races over a mile. Both assets were again on display on Tuesday, as Henrythenavigator was anchored at the rear of the field by Johnny Murtagh alongside eventual runner-up Raven’s Pass as Minneapolis dictated a genuine, though by no means breakneck, gallop. Always travelling smoothly, Henrythenavigator began to creep closer swinging into the straight and, though he momentarily looked like he might not get the clearest of passages approaching the 2 furlong pole, he was switched outside Twice Over to deliver an explosive turn of foot that ensured he ran out a convincing winner, despite appearing to idle when in front, with Raven’s Pass ¾ of a length back in second.
Henrythenavigator’s performance cemented his position as the top 3yo miler in Europe and, in truth, it is very difficult to see any of the older milers causing him a great deal of trouble later on in the year on the evidence of the Queen Anne. It is all the more unfortunate that perhaps his main older rival for top miling honours, Godolphin’s Creachadoir, has already been ruled out for the season. As such, it would appear that all of the summer mile contests are his for the taking, though connections believe 10 furlongs will hold no fears (a belief borne out by his pedigree as well). Indeed, a clash with dual Guineas runner-up and subsequent Epsom Derby victor New Approach over 10 furlongs (perhaps at York for the Juddmonte International or at Leopardstown for the Irish Champion) really would be something to savour. As a son of Kingmambo, whose progeny have become more valuable over the past few years with the decline of Storm Cat, out of a Group 1-winning mare, herself a daughter of Irish River, one of the most established broodmare sires in Europe, Henrythenavigator is clearly a prized asset as a stallion (even moreso as Coolmore do not currently stand a son of Kingmambo) and it is difficult to see him remaining in training as a 4yo.
Raven’s Pass improved on his 2,000 Guineas form to finish 3 3/4 lengths closer than he had at Newmarket. Though he never looked like getting to Henrythenavigator, and may have been slightly flattered as a result of the winner appearing to idle in front, this was undoubtedly a better performance from the John Gosden colt, who comprehensively reversed Craven Stakes form with Twice Over. That is hardly surprising, though, considering he had the fast ground he relishes (as his acton suggests) and settled well today, something he had failed to in either the Craven Stakes or the 2,000 Guineas, where he had to be switched wide by Jimmy Fortune to make his challenge. Today he was the last horse off the bridle, having been held up at the rear by Jimmy Fortune, and ran on well to the line to finish a never-nearer second. Though he proved today he stays a mile given his favoured conditions and a genuine gallop, it would nevertheless by very interesting to see him tried in a race such as the July Cup. Indeed, that race, over a still 6 furlongs, would suit him to a tee, as the strong gallop would allow him to settle through the race and possibly make best use of his turn of foot.
The front two finished 2 1/2 lengths ahead of Henry Cecil’s Twice Over, dropped back to a mile after a disappointing effort in the Dante Stakes at York. Having been held up in through the early stages by Ted Durcan, Twice Over travelled as well as anything until approaching the 2 furlong marker, when he was shaken up to draw alongside Falco. However, the son of Observatory simply does not possess anything like the turn of foot of either of the front two, and was made to look a relatively one-paced third at the line. On this evidence, Twice Over will appreaciate a step back up to 10 furlongs and is probably ideally suited by ground with a bit of give in it. Even over 10 furlongs, it would be a surprise if Twice Over could win a Group 1 in England or Ireland. His run, however, gives the form a solid look.
Falco and Stubbs Art were both disappointing. The former, a French 2,000 Guineas winner, was always prominent and took up the running entering the straight. However, he found disappointingly little when challenged and eventually finished fifth. Though he was impressive at Longchamp, he got the run of the race that day, and it is difficult to gauge the exact merit of the form at any rate. Stubbs Art was never travelling as fluently as when placed at Newmarket or the Curragh, and was one of the first beaten turning in. He is obviously capable of better. While the proximity of fourth-placed Cat Junior could be used to crab the form, he was only having his third run (following a disappointing seasonal debut) and he looks to be a progressive sort held in quite high regard by Brian Meehan. It will be interesting to see how he progresses.
An excellent piece; analytically plausible, well written, structurally sound and a pleasing blend of information and comparison.
As for the race itself I was quite disappointed by Henrythenavigator’s performance. He travelled so strongly and won with such authority at the Curragh that I expected a devastating display today and, for whatever reason, he just didn’t excite.
Raven’s Pass is widely accepted to be a non-stayer over a mile (a fractional analysis of the race would be useful, should any clockwatchers feel obliged) and the fact that he got so close to a horse publicly touted as ‘better than Giant’s Causeway and Rock Of Gibraltar’ says that either the pace wasn’t that strong, Henrythenavigator isn’t quite as good as we thought (having beaten a mile-and-a-half horse over a mile previously) or he’s merely feeling the effects of two top drawer efforts.
I think I’ll be reserving judgement on just how good the winner is after seeing him run again later in the season, and also Raven’s Pass when tried again over a mile.
I thought Raven’s Pass ran a terrific race. With a clearer passage, he may have got within a head of Henrythenavigator. I think he is definitely one to consider when the Sussex Stakes comes round. I’ll be surprised if Aidan O’Brien sends his colt there.
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
Wouldn’t say Henry’s performance was disappointing, he hardly did a jot once he hit the front and I’m sure he’d have picked up again had Raven’s Pass got to within a neck of him. Murtagh dropping the reins and having to reorganise himself also didn’t help. Sometimes we’re never satisfied unless a horse streaks 2 or 3 lengths clear, but in reality the Rock wasn’t a flashy winner either, just got the job done with as little fuss as possible. Were they to reoppose, I’d expect the placings between the first two to be the same, but do feel there is a race or two for Raven’s Pass, maybe even at group 1 as there are plenty of mile races to go for nd the older miles are probably a few pounds short of top class.
Wouldn’t say Henry’s performance was disappointing, he hardly did a jot once he hit the front and I’m sure he’d have picked up again had Raven’s Pass got to within a neck of him. Murtagh dropping the reins and having to reorganise himself also didn’t help. Sometimes we’re never satisfied unless a horse streaks 2 or 3 lengths clear, but in reality the Rock wasn’t a flashy winner either, just got the job done with as little fuss as possible. Were they to reoppose, I’d expect the placings between the first two to be the same, but do feel there is a race or two for Raven’s Pass, maybe even at group 1 as there are plenty of mile races to go for nd the older miles are probably a few pounds short of top class.
Spot on there, there could be a group 1 in Ravens Pass
Nice piece, trackside. Wouldn’t look out of place in the RP analysis.
At first glance yesterday’s race looked to be run at a bit of a dawdle to me, and the relative positions of Raven’s Pass, Cat Junior & Falco seemed to confirm this. So imagine my surprise when I Iater discovered that the track record had been broken! Obviously Ascot’s times are still a bit up in the air (this is the same track which had us believe Tamarinbleu was some sort of flying machine), but the fact still remains that the race was over half a second quicker than last years renewal. I’m really not bothered about Cat Junior for future reference, but I now don’t know where I stand with Raven’s Pass & Falco!
Did anybody else think the jockey on Ravens Pass could have or should have got going earlier, is there any particular reason why both jockeys on Henry and Ravens Pass went through the field when it looked to me easier and safer to go around them ?
To my eye, if Fortune set Ravens Pass alight down the outside and earlier, whilst Murtagh was going through the middle, he’d have made it a whole lot more interesting ?
I wouldn’t be too harsh on Jimmy Fortune. Imo Raven’s Pass is a very talented horse, but he’s not the type that can be ridden in lots of different ways. I think someone once said a sign of a good horse is that they can quicken twice. If that’s the case, Raven’s Pass is not that good, because he can only quicken once. That’s caught him out a few times in big races. In the Dewhurst (7f) & Craven (8f) he quickened really well to get clear, then good horses battled back to beat him. In the 2000gns, again he’s quickened really well to get from a poor position to a challenging one, then couldn’t quicken again. So they only have one chance with RP. As he travels so well during a race & quickens so well, I can understand why they want to hold him up as long as possible. I suppose they could try & quicken from the front, but they risk him not settling & travelling so well. Time may prove yesterdays run to be a very good one.
I’d be anxious about Ravens Pass, he’s not going to be the easiest horse to win with in this grade. His chances are always going to be very ground dependant, then he needs to be produced with a well-timed run, or a very well-judged ride. Imo.
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That’s a very well-written piece, trackside, and is far better, in both its style and its content, than any RP analysis I’ve ever read. There are one or two very minor grammatical quibbles but the vast majority of readers wouldn’t notice them so they’re barely worth expanding upon.
Whilst any post-race analysis is obviously subjective, I must take issue with one statement made:
Henrythenavigator’s performance cemented his position as the top 3yo miler in Europe
There’s a certain mademoiselle who might have something to say about that…..
Good luck with the Irish Field.
Thanks for the feedback everyone. All points taken on board.
I would tend to agree with Colin Little’s view of Raven’s Pass; if he had been ridden more positively yesterday, I think it must be very doubtful whether he would have been finishing to the same effect. I would also agree that yesterday’s run represented a very high standard of form.
yquem21, while Zarkava has been very impressive in everything she’s done, she’s got it all to prove on form over a mile that she’s anywhere near as good as Henrythenavigator. Doesn’t look like she’ll get the chance to prove it either.
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while Zarkava has been very impressive in everything she’s done, she’s got it all to prove on form over a mile that she’s anywhere near as good as Henrythenavigator. Doesn’t look like she’ll get the chance to prove it either.
Aye, it’s a shame that she isn’t coming over for the QEII, for example, to put Henry in his place. Still, your usage of the word "cemented" implies that the matter is beyond all reasonable doubt, which simply isn’t true.
The one thing I remember from Lester.He seldom took chances when on a possible winner. Always gave himself a shot at it. Never depended on another jockey allowing him a run. The easiest way is up the outside.I don’t remember
him ever doing a Bosra Sham.Look at the way he raced in the BC on Royal Academy as opposed to Cash Asmussen in that same race .Both last out the gate. Lester goes around and wins, Cash goes between horses and gets lost.I just watched the race again and am convinced that if Ravens Pass was asked for his effort at the entrance to the straight he’d have got a darn site closer.
He was not asked to go untill the winner was off and gone, what hope did he ever have of catching him ?
I thought Raven’s Pass ran a terrific race. With a clearer passage, he may have got within a head of Henrythenavigator. I think he is definitely one to consider when the Sussex Stakes comes round. I’ll be surprised if Aidan O’Brien sends his colt there.
I agree that Ravens Pass ran a terrific race, perhaps his best ever. Can’t agree he wanted a clearer path as his jockey was trying to keep him covered up as long as possible and never met with any trouble I noticed.
He has also stayed every yard of the trip so no excuses.
Raven’s Pass is one helluva good horse. He beat everything else bar the winner hands down.
Henry is very special and I can’t understand anyone thinking any other way.
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