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| The Great Mare Goldikova Will Be Walking Off To The Paddocks. |
The 2011 Breeder's Cup is upon us and to be fair its all about one horse, Champion French Super-Mare Goldikova. She bids for an unprecedented fourth successive Breeder's Cup Mile tomorrow night and as one of my favourite horses of all time, I, as millions of others do, hope she does win and win in style.
Even the Americans, who aren't too partial to the Europeans coming over and plundering their prize money, love this wonder horse, who will be retired after the race and off to the most eligible studs in the racing world.
Her form this season, some say isn't as good as past seasons, but its all about tomorrow night and that fourth history making win at the Breeder's Cup. Any horse that had won two Group 1 races and been touched off in another three by top notchers Canford Cliffs, Immortal Verse and Dream Ahead would be a stone cold certainty, but such is her reputation, some have doubts.
I say, she can't be beat, but that may be the heart ruling the head and by gaining stall 1 she should get a clear run, so there will be no excuses. I took 5-2, which looks a big price now and on a track that suits she will be very hard to beat, as its surely in the stars.
I have been hooked on The Breeder's Cup ever since living legend Lester Piggott came out of his enforced exile to win on Royal Academy for his old boss, Vincent O'Brien in 1990. The A-Z since reads Arazi-Zenyatta, who's individual come from last to first victories and near victory are both still fresh in the memory.
I love, (who doesn't) French fillies and this year again, there are a few who have massive chances and this Yankee yankee should hopefully reap dividends for some much needed funds. So for what its worth here's my fancies
1. ANNOUNCE; Filly & Mare Turf, Friday
This one looks sure to go really close as is a closer (as the Americans say) in her races and can finish with a late burst and nail this close home. Was beaten by Nahrain in France and takes that one on again here, but looked unlucky that day and should reverse the form. At around 5-1 looks a cast-iron each way chance and as long as the track stays quite quick should go very very close. Has some superb form in France with Sarafina and Champions Day winner Cirrus Des Aigles.
2.SARAFINA; Turf, Saturday
Looked unlucky to me in the Prix De L'Arc de Triomphe finishing with good effect from a poor draw.This race will be run to suit and with her fine finishing kick can again take this close home. Is a fine-looking filly and the fact she runs on the Saturday against her male counterparts means she must be well fancied. There are niggling doubts about all her opposition and her form with the aforementioned Cirrus Des Aigles means the 5-2 looks good value. I thinks she can win well and take over the mantle, from Goldikova, as the Breeder's Cup pin-up.
3.GOLDIKOVA; Mile, Saturday
The wonder mare has to win, going for her fourth successive Breeder's Cup Mile, she will go very close. There is nothing wrong with her form this year and I am hoping history will be made, shame this wasn't the very last race on the card, to give her the chance to close out the meeting with a heart warming victory. To me her only danger in the race is the improving Byword, but she's beaten that one before.
4.HAVRE DE GRACE; Classic, Saturday
The final leg of the yankee and hopefully with three winners in the bag this filly can upset the two fancied ones Uncle Mo and So You Think. Uncle Mo may not stay the 1m2f trip and hasn't been a well horse either so is looked over and though So You Think is a very tough horse he has had some some strenuos races this season. He was just beaten by the horse who's name keeps cropping up, Cirrus Des Aigles on Champion's Day, but has never run on dirt, if he acts on it will surely go close, but again I will pass him over.
Havre de Grace has won her last two in Grade 1 company, the last one by over 8 lengths and but for a nose defeat would have won all of her last 6 races. hasn't got a great draw, but can hopefully emulate her sire Saint Liam, who won this very race in 2005. The fact connections run her in the Classic when there is easier pickings on the Filly & Mare's day on Friday means she is well fancied. At around 9-2 is a corking each way bet.
There you have it, hopefully a profit can be made, but win, lose or draw it will be a fitting send off for the great horse that is Goldikova, who can then go forth and multiply.
Happy punting,
Randy
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