There were a host of world-class performances at the Glorious Goodwood meeting including KYPRIOS’ convincing victory in the Group 1 Goodwood Cup and OPERA SINGER’s gutsy win in the Group 1 Nassau Stakes. Meanwhile, I would also like to pay tribute to Ryan Moore, as his masterclass riding performances atop OPERA SINGER winning from the front, JAN BRUEGHEL and KYPRIOS were all very impressive.
Apart from his own achievements, Ryan has generously played an unstinting role in the development of other jockeys with his advice over many years, and he has been always a mentor to Vincent Ho which I know Vincent has deeply appreciated.
I am pleased to see Vincent display his blend of determination and skill once again when finishing a close second with BRIONI in the 3yo Handicap (1984m) on Thursday (1 August), just a neck behind the winner after having to travel wide throughout the race. To sum up, Vincent rode one second and one third from just nine rides at the five-day Glorious Goodwood meeting, which is very good considering that this was his first time riding at the storied racetrack.
Indeed, it is not easy for Vincent to secure rides in a very competitive environment especially when people know you are only in England for a short period of time but the support of Mark Johnston and now his son Charlie is much appreciated.
One of the challenges for Vincent is the different rules regarding the use of whip which resulted in a whip ban sustained on the first day of his latest UK trip. He will ride in Germany on Sunday (4 August) and the rules in Germany are even more strict. Therefore, Vincent has to adapt quickly.
Vincent displayed his resilience last term. He endured an interrupted season due to injury but was still able to repeatedly achieve outstanding success, including winning the prestigious LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship before combining with GOLDEN SIXTY to score another famous victory in the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile four days later.
After his Glorious Goodwood adventure, Vincent will have a chance to add another Group 1 win to his tally in the Preis der Diana – German Oaks (2200m) on Sunday (4 August) at Dusseldorf Racecourse. This European Classic race forms part of Sunday’s simulcast programme on German Oaks Day, which also includes the HKJC World Pool Handicap. That race kickstarts our simulcast programme on Sunday and is carded as S1-1 (7:23pm), while the Preis der Diana – German Oaks is carded as S1-2 (9:45pm).
This year, the Preis der Diana—German Oaks has a strong international flavour, with British, Irish and French-trained runners present. Together with Vincent’s participation, we can expect a very exciting renewal of the race. Dusseldorf Racecourse is very picturesque being in the midst of a forest but is a very demanding course which not every horse can handle, especially the last four furlongs with a steep uphill part and a very tight bend leading into the straight. Horse who have performed well before have an advantage and being well drawn is a significant advantage too. As such, I am delighted to see Vincent’s ride, LADY MARY, is well drawn in gate four of the race.
Trained by former leading German jockey Andreas Suborics, LADY MARY achieved her sole win as a two-year-old, but she has been a steady performer at Listed and Group level since then. She comes into the Sunday’s race in fine form, just narrowly beaten in the Group 3 Diana-Trial (2000m) before running a creditable third in the Listed BBAG Diana Trial (2000m) latest. She is a versatile type of runner and will have a place chance in the race.
The favourite in the Preis der Diana-German Oaks is expected to be DARNATION. The English raider scored a stylish victory in the Group 2 German 1000 Guineas (1600m) at this course on her penultimate outing and then, as part of her preparation for Sunday’s race, the daughter of TOO DARN HOT finished a game second in a Group 3 event on the Tapeta surface at the end of June. That race was run over 2038m and therefore it looks like she should be able to handle the step up in trip this time. Well drawn in gate five and with the service of top jockey Adrie de Vries, she is my win and place selection.
French contender BUBBLE GUM is a winner of two races this term and ran a respectable sixth in the Group 1 French Oaks (2100m) last start. She will have a place chance under English rider Jamie Spencer. Joseph O’Brien will be represented by JE ZOUS who stayed on and ran a creditable fifth in the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes (2392m) at Royal Ascot in June. The Irish raider is another place selection under top German jockey Bauyrzhan Murzabayev.
ERLE is a lightly-raced runner and will be capable of further improvement after her last start triumph in the Group 3 Diana-Trial. She is a place chance too.
Our simulcast programme also includes nine races from the Prix Maurice de Gheest Day at Deauville on the same night. The feature race, the Prix Maurice de Gheest, is carded as S2-4 (10:07pm) and will be run over 1300 metres on the straight course.
KING GOLD is the defending champion in this race and this year he comes into the race in fine form after winning the Group 3 Prix de la Porte Maillot (1400m) at Longchamp last start. I make him my win and place selection for trainer Nicolas Caullery and jockey Stephane Pasquier.
PUCHKINE has achieved an exceptional winning strike rate in his career, scoring five times from eight starts so far. He won the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat (1400m) at this course on his last start. He is a place chance under Ioritz Mendizabal. MILL STREAM is another last-start winner who scored a narrow victory in the G1 July Cup (1200m) at Newmarket. He is my place selection under William Buick. BEAUVATIER is a consistent runner and was a good third in the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat latest. He is also a place chance under Maxime Guyon.
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