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jamesp
27 Jul 09 11:11
Joined:
Date Joined: 05 Jan 02
| Topic/replies: 2,718 | Blogger: jamesp's blog
I have referred to this two-year-old filly on a couple of other threads and mentioned it as one to look out for in yesterday's Prix Robert Papin at Maisons-Laffitte. Just for the record here's the earlier post (in response to one from ben10):

"I had already noted the two French fillies [Sorciere and Dolled Up]. I haven't seen a recording of the Prix Yacowlef (I don't think it was covered by either ATR or RUK) but apparently the winner took the lead early on and was never really challenged. Runner-up Special Duty was a bit slowly away and ran a bit green. I'm impressed by the fact that Sorciere managed to beat Special Duty, as I had been expecting a big run from the latter, who seems to be well regarded by Criquette Head-Maarek. Criquette has used this race as the launch pad for several of her best fillies in recent years, including Group 1 winners Gold Splash, Pas De Reponse and African Rose. Special Duty is by Hennessy out of Quest To Peak (an unraced full-sister to the brilliant Sightseek, who won seven Grade 1 races up to 9f, and half-sister to 10f Grade 1 winner Tates Creek). On breeding she's sure to get a mile, so she must be a very useful filly to have run so well over 5f on debut in what looks to have been quite a hot Listed race. The winner Sorciere must also be rated a top prospect and, as you rightly point out, she should get 7f or a mile, being by Orpen out of the miler Serandine (a half-sister to Shaka, who won the 11f Prix Hocquart and was third in the French Derby). Sorciere has been given a Racing Post Rating of 99, which is superb for a debutante, and Special Duty is rated 94. I'll be very surprised if they're not both up to winning Group races. Sorciere would have to be reckoned a prospective Guineas filly if she weren't trained by Carlos Lerner (a trainer not noted for his cross-channel raids). She may now be aimed at the Prix Morny, according to the race report on www.frogsracing.com. The trainer says that Sorciere is not very big, but she has a big engine. Special Duty is the one that appeals to me as a potential Guineas filly and I'll be following her progress with great interest."

Special Duty surpassed my expectations in beating the highly touted favourite in yesterday's Prix Robert Papin (the unbeaten colt Siyouni, who had previously won the Listed Prix la Fleche in a canter), at the surprisingly generous odds of 15/2. Criquette Head-Maarek has trained many top class fillies in her time and says that this one is most progressive and will now head for the Prix Morny (and a potentially mouth-watering clash with Canford Cliffs). Considering her breeding, it is highly encouraging that she has managed to win a competitive Group 2 over an inadequate trip on only her second start. As on her debut in the Prix Yacowlef she ran a bit green, having to race on the outside, hung left, changed her legs, and even jumped a shadow on her way, but nevertheless went away when the favourite Siyouni came on her inside a furlong out and scored comfortably by 1½ lengths.

The form has a very solid look to it - in addition to Siyouni she beat Dolled Up (winner of the Group 3 Prix du Bois) and the previously unbeaten Italian Group 3 winner Orpen Shadow. She has been given a provisional Racing Post Rating of 109, which puts her second only to Queen Mary winner Jealous Again in the juvenile fillies rankings. The winning time was nothing special (the race was run on g/soft ground) and was more than a second slower than Natagora's winning time two years ago, but was still quicker than Divine Proportions' winning time in this race five years ago and was one of the fastest in recent years.

One slight concern is the fact that she is a daughter of Hennessy, whose only Group 1 winner in Europe to date was the brilliant juvenile (and now sire) Johannesburg. Hennessy himself was lightly raced and his best performance was a close second to Unbridled's Song in the Gr.1 Breeders Cup Juvenile over 8½f. His son Johannesburg cleaned up in the top 6f juvenile races (including the Phoenix Stakes, Prix Morny and Middle Park Stakes) before going one better than his sire by winning the Gr.1 Breeders Cup Juvenile. Hennessy's best progeny to date have raced in America, Australia and (to a lesser extent) Japan. His best performers in Europe (apart from Johannesburg) have been: Mousse Au Chocolat (second in Gr.3 Prix d'Aumale and winner of Listed 8f race at two, very useful miler at three); Short Dance (12 length winner of Listed 8f race at three); Perigee Moon (winner of Gr.3 Killavullan Stakes over 7f at two); Wiseman's Ferry (second to Joahnnesburg in Gr.3 Anglesey Stakes at two, later winner of Gr.3 in US over 9f); Reve Lunaire (winner of 9½f Listed race at Deauville); Set Alight (winner of Gr.3 Prix Thomas Bryon over 8f at two). He has also produced a number of Gr.1 winners around the world, mostly over 8f+. Hennessy's relative lack of success with his runners in Europe is a slight worry, but this is more than outweighed by the immense promise Special Duty has shown in her two races.

Special Duty looks sure to progress with racing and although she possesses plenty of speed she should stay a mile. She is a top class prospect and whatever she manages to achieve against Canford Cliffs in the Prix Morny she will surely take some beating in the Cheveley Park Stakes (a race Criquette favours as a preparation for the 1000 Guineas). She is now my top long-term fancy for next year's Guineas: I have backed her at 50s (prior to yesterday's race) and at 33s (after the race).

Anyone else got any thoughts about this filly (form, breeding etc)?
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Report enpekd April 19, 2010 9:26 PM BST
2.0 place lay of SD available now, get it while stocks last!
Report hippie April 23, 2010 8:45 PM BST
http://www.racingpost.com/horses/horse_home.sd?horse_id=449499
Report the bairn April 23, 2010 10:29 PM BST
hippie, that is almost identical to Special Duty, hopefully she can get the 8 furs. cheers.
Report ben10 April 30, 2010 12:20 AM BST
Thought I'd bring this back, not long to go now :)

21st of July on a thread about Conniption was when James first brought this horse up in conversation, at that time it was taken as a given that she would get a mile, amazing how we can over think things :0 ;)
Report Try My Best April 30, 2010 12:32 AM BST
Well Ben we have disagreed on this thread about SD.Preparing to set off for the Bedford Lodge hotel tomorrow morning.If the filly wins on Sunday and Elusive Pimpernel does the same on Saturday I will be skint.Have a good festival.
Report ben10 April 30, 2010 12:34 AM BST
You too mate, hope you've practiced your rain dance ;)
Report unclepuncle April 30, 2010 9:27 AM BST
Try My Best 30 Apr 00:32
Well Ben we have disagreed on this thread about SD.Preparing to set off for the Bedford Lodge hotel tomorrow morning.If the filly wins on Sunday and Elusive Pimpernel does the same on Saturday I will be skint.Have a good festival.


Hope you have a shcoker TMB because if those two win I'm going to be minted :D
Report Try My Best April 30, 2010 9:30 AM BST
Will get back on here Sunday night to discuss.I'm more worried about the 1000 due to the weakness of the race.Still we have at least nailed our colours to the mast.Have a good one Uncle
Report ben10 May 1, 2010 8:31 PM BST
Any rain yet?
Report harchibald May 1, 2010 9:03 PM BST
GUYS

anyone point me in the right direction of her seasonal debut over one mile in France on video please ? Haven't seen it anywhere and about to lay down some heard earnt on her cos at 4's she's a great bet
Report cruise d May 1, 2010 9:05 PM BST
Here you go:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osqNtAFsNDI
Report harchibald May 1, 2010 9:09 PM BST
thanks cruise got it up now
Report harchibald May 1, 2010 9:12 PM BST
he didn't hit her once, probably tells you all we need to know

winner was worked to get up to her and go past

she looked a tad tired but she's not a non-stayer IMO

GET ON
Report Graeme83 May 1, 2010 9:15 PM BST
id be more concerned about the apparent rain that been teamin down
Report ben10 May 1, 2010 9:16 PM BST
Worth watching the going very closely, good is fine though.
Report harchibald May 1, 2010 9:18 PM BST
yeah i am awaiting the first couple of races tomoz to check before getting on

hopeful of taking 9/2 on good ground

look it doesn't get in at newmarket does it the rain ??
Report harchibald May 1, 2010 9:19 PM BST
even magic sign now just gone 4's ... is noah expected at newmarket or something ?
Report marsh mugger May 1, 2010 9:25 PM BST
Harch, form is outstanding. I see the filly who was half a length in front of her in the Imprudence won the Italian 1000 Guineas to-day. Bet SD on here on 6/7/09 and got 25's for some small change. Was going to leave it but at 4's I'm going in with a bigger bet this time. 50p even. Best of luck mate
Report harchibald May 1, 2010 9:31 PM BST
right you are MM

I am holding off cos of the rain though ... what you think about the rain ?
Report marsh mugger May 1, 2010 9:43 PM BST
I was going to bet just now but will hold off also after reading your post. I honestly don't think that SD is facing all that much in the way of opposition and I think her trainer is erring on the side of caution about whether she will stay the trip. Harch, hopefully there won't be any extremes of going and even if it does get softer, I think class will see her through. I also noted that Hatoof was also beaten in the same prep race as SD yet still prevailed at HQ.
Report harchibald May 1, 2010 9:49 PM BST
just watch the rain ...

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/cotc-michael-prosser-newmarket-guineas-significant-rain-forecast-at-newmarket/710773/latest/

deffo leaving it until tomorrow now. if the ground worse than good then NO BET for me
Report marsh mugger May 1, 2010 9:53 PM BST
Looking forward to it immensely. Hopefully a star will rise tomorrow. Good luck H
Report jamesp May 1, 2010 10:10 PM BST
I've been very sweet on Special Duty ever since June/July last year, but I must confess I'm a bit worried about the bad weather expected in the Newmarket area over the next 15 hours or so. Thundery showers followed by several hours of rain, some of it heavy. It's just impossible to predict at this stage how much will get into the ground. Remember the year when Speciosa won - the ground was officially soft following substantial overnight rain, which washed away many a chance. Special Duty is probably best on fast ground but should handle yielding ground. She wouldn't want very soft or heavy ground. The only positive thing to say in her favour if the ground turns yielding is that they will probably go a sedate pace through the first half of the race and then sprint, which would suit her down to the ground.
Report sariska boy May 1, 2010 10:18 PM BST
looking at the way this weather is going i think we can safely say it will be softish come racing time, just looking through the field who would benefit from the soft ground the most,, any suggestions anybody????
Report jamesp May 1, 2010 10:35 PM BST
Pipette will like soft ground (but is surely nowhere near good enough).
Report Ramruma May 1, 2010 10:42 PM BST
Seta too, and will probably start favourite.
Report ben10 May 1, 2010 10:45 PM BST
Devoted To You?
Report cruise d May 1, 2010 10:58 PM BST
Can someone tell me why everyone is so sure Seta wants it soft? Fallon and Cumani said they would like a bit of rain but she's only run twice on Good and GD/FM. We cant be sure she wants soft going.

That said my antepost tickets on Music Show at all sorts of prices are not looking quite as valuable now. Just hope she is as good as I think she is but her run a Ayr is worrying me.
Report ben10 May 1, 2010 10:59 PM BST
The excuse for the poor run was the ground, if you're willing to believe that and take the current short price then good luck imo....
Report cruise d May 1, 2010 11:31 PM BST
Yeah I don't doubt that she probably is better on soft but after just 2 runs there is no way we can be sure. That's all I'm saying, I'd rather know it than expect it to happen.

Seta looks a great horse but just 2 races and no race this year would worry me especially with the winter we've just had. Look at todays 2000 1st Makfi, 2nd Dick Turpin, 3rd Canford Cliffs, 4th Xtension, 5th Elusive Pimpernel. The first three home have all run this year and so had the 5th, after the winter we've had I'd rather there be a prep in there somewhere. Also there was talk that she may not be ready in time for this tomorrow.
Report cruise d May 1, 2010 11:36 PM BST
It's worth adding as well that Makfi, Dick Turpin, and Elusive Pimpernel have all won this year and Canford Cliffs ran a decent 2nd. This could put the likes of Puff and Habaayib (as well as a horse I'm fed up of trying to talk up;) ) in the mix for at least a place after their run in the Fred Darling, even though I don't think the race was very good.
Report ben10 May 1, 2010 11:39 PM BST
Don't forget Devoted To You, ground, prep run and does have a touch of class one her day.
Report Fran Merida May 1, 2010 11:47 PM BST
I've backed Ed Dunlops runner aswell, but think the rain will screw her chances tbh.
Report enpekd May 2, 2010 12:26 AM BST
dont forget theat SD won first 2 races on GS, and her defeat on VS may have been due more to needing the race, rather than the ground, and that that particular race was won by a very decent match-fit horse, in a time 0.4s quicker than a horse called mafki who won a race yesterday, i consider that ive probably had enough on already, but...
Report jamesp May 2, 2010 7:58 AM BST
Good to soft ground should be fine for Special Duty. At least, the trainer will not be making any excuses on account of the ground.
Report harchibald May 2, 2010 10:31 AM BST
I went in

6.0 on here was too big

GL all let's hope she stays ...
Report ben10 May 2, 2010 3:26 PM BST
That's a killer
Report Stake & Chips May 2, 2010 3:27 PM BST
:-(
Report platinni May 2, 2010 3:27 PM BST
ripped off lads

ul
Report redal2 May 2, 2010 3:28 PM BST
Chuck it out
Report top div May 2, 2010 3:28 PM BST
Should be getting the race though surely ?
Report redal2 May 2, 2010 3:31 PM BST
You have to murder the jockey in Britain to get thrown out. If it was anywhere else I'd be confident
Report kirk st. moritz May 2, 2010 3:33 PM BST
Took her off a straight line SD would have won otherwise imo.
Report redal2 May 2, 2010 3:34 PM BST
Not as badly as the 2yo race the other week when winner carried the 2nd right across and kept it.
Report top div May 2, 2010 3:41 PM BST
Thank f*ck for that - English stewards aren't as biased as the French ones.
Report kirk st. moritz May 2, 2010 3:41 PM BST
GEDDIN ... shame for Henry though the greatest.
Report GRIZLY May 2, 2010 3:41 PM BST
well done james
Report Stake & Chips May 2, 2010 3:41 PM BST
Never in doubt :-)

Well played jamesp
Report redal2 May 2, 2010 3:41 PM BST
Bravo the stewards. WD to james and ben for trumpeting this filly from the start
Report nibbledat May 2, 2010 3:42 PM BST
wd jim ;)
Report Pret a Gagner May 2, 2010 3:42 PM BST
Booooom had a £1 on the French Guineas double :)
Report Charlton2005 May 2, 2010 3:42 PM BST
WD James, great call.

:)
Report Teddy Sheringham May 2, 2010 3:42 PM BST
wd top shout
Report ben10 May 2, 2010 3:43 PM BST
Haha, was well negative over that, good stuff :)

Excellent from James who flagged it up before she'd won a race, nice work ;)
Report FatoteSport May 2, 2010 3:43 PM BST
Well Done James. Followed this and your 1000gns post for months. Looking forwards to the 2011 edition already ;)
Report Charlton2005 May 2, 2010 3:44 PM BST
And to you too Ben, WD

:)
Report TD_Gunner May 2, 2010 3:44 PM BST
Correct result.

Congratulations james.
Report WorkOnIt May 2, 2010 3:44 PM BST
Got there in the end!

Well done, great shout.
Report Graeme83 May 2, 2010 3:46 PM BST
Well in comrades. That just saved my ass big time. We all kept the faith.
Report la mallatiere May 2, 2010 3:49 PM BST
well done all and especially JAMESP spend your winnings wisely,lol. well done
Report Charlton2005 May 2, 2010 3:52 PM BST

mythical prince 02 Oct 15:22
i make her a 3-1 poke. 8-1 is bet of the century


And MP too, WD

:)
Report ben10 May 2, 2010 3:53 PM BST
Amazing how she finished off the race considering the way she pulled early, proper class filly
Report Dark Destroyer May 2, 2010 3:54 PM BST
WD James - I followed your advice last August!

Seems a long time ago now.
Report sintonian May 2, 2010 3:54 PM BST
Get in ye Beauty. :D

well done all, esp to James.

Mike Cattermole should be sacked. Useless.
Report enpekd May 2, 2010 3:57 PM BST
well done james, best horse won,
Report geoff m May 2, 2010 4:07 PM BST
Well done James.I didnt latch on to her till she won the Chevely Park but had every confidence once the jocks finally woke up & smelt the coffee & they kept to the stands side.
Sweaty palms time but finally got it thanx to Queally.
Report sintonian May 2, 2010 4:13 PM BST
same here Geoff. It was the Cheveley win that did it for me. Amazing Kudos to James for backing her after debut.
Report jamesp May 2, 2010 4:18 PM BST
Phew! Thanks everyone. That's got to be the most stressful 20 minutes I've ever experienced as a punter. Well done to everyone who backed her, especially if you got on early enough to avail yourselves of the big prices last summer. Superb training performance from Criquette Head-Maarek and a great ride from Stephane Pasquier. But I have to say, I do feel terribly sorry for the owner of Jacqueline Quest. I hope she manages to pick up the Irish Guineas or the Coronation Stakes by way of consolation. I need to go and have a lie-down now...
Report Cheers For Thea May 2, 2010 4:29 PM BST
Well done James. Top top work
Report Meadow X1 May 2, 2010 4:31 PM BST
I never cease to be amazed by the quality of analysis on this forum. The Headmaster's contribution on Mafki yesterday was excellent and Jamesp's contribution on this topic was simply first class. I was fortunate to profit off of Mafki as I am a small stakes big odds punter but didn't follow this forum at the time of Jamesp's original post as mostly follow NH so consequently didn't take advantage of his original advice. One thing that always surprises me though is that some punters pay for "tips" or "advice" when clearly a great deal of the very best analysis and information is free on here if you are prepared to simply sit and read. Thankyou to all contributors and long live the antepost forum.
Report la mallatiere May 2, 2010 4:57 PM BST
SPECIAL DUTY completed a Classic double for France but had to rely on the stewards after passing the post a nose behind the Henry Cecil-trained 66-1 outsider Jacqueline Quest.

Jacqueline Quest had shot into the lead coming into the Dip but 9-2 favourite Special Duty, sporting the colours of Khalid Abdullah, was charging after her under jocke Stephane Pasquier and the pair were joined together at the furlong pole.


RELATED LINKS
» Race result
1,000 Guineas replay
Jacqueline Quest then started to drift to her right under a left-hand drive from jockey Tom Queally, bumping Special Duty and taking her towards the centre of the course.


The pair flashed across the line together with Jacqueline Quest originally given the verdict by a nose but the stewards' siren sounded just moments later.

A tense scenario followed with each side unsure who had claimed the prize but the siren then sounded again, to reveal that the result had been reversed.

William Nunneley, stipendiary steward at Newmarket, said: "When you've got such a short distance between two horses you have to make a decision.

"When you look at how Jacqueline Quest drifts right-handed and they've touched. Tom Queally has his whip in his left hand and didn't pull it through, it wasn't too difficult a decision, they've gone almost halfway across the track."

Jacqueline Quest becomes the first Guineas horse to lose the race in the stewards' room since Nureyev in 1980 when,ironically, the race went to another Khalid Abdullah-owned runner in Known Fact.

The field had split soon after leaving the stalls with the larger group heading for the far side while the smaller group, which contained the first five home, racing up the stands' rail.


Criquette Head-Maarek: four wins


PICTURE: Edward Whitaker
Blue Maiden, Music Show and Seta all made challenges to lead on the far side but their efforts were worthless as the action unfolded on the stands' side.

Gile Na Greine and Sent From Heaven, who had also raced prominently in the stands-side group, claimed third and fourth respectively.

Winning trainer Criquette Head-Maarek was gaining her fourthvictory in the race after Ma Biche in 1983, Ravinella in 1988 and Hatoof in 1992.

Special Duty, who is the second winner of the race for Abdullah after Wince in 1999, also mirrors the achievements of Hatoof in being beaten in the Prix Imprudence before going on to land the 1,000 Guineas.

Head said: "[Stephane] Pasquier thought that if the horse had not come across then he would have won. Her heart is bigger than herself - it's incredible.

"I didn't think [the bump] was that bad watching it live but then I saw the replay and I thought we had a chance.

"There are two weeks between now and the French Guineas somaybe she will go to Longchamp. I will have to talk to the [the owner]."

She added: "I feel very sorry for the others because for a while they thought they had the race."
Report geoff m May 2, 2010 4:59 PM BST
good job she was drawn low else we would have done our conkers.
Report las/palmas May 2, 2010 5:00 PM BST
well.done.jamesp
Report platinni May 2, 2010 5:34 PM BST
well done james

a deserved return for you but im not so sure it was the correct result
Report TIROL1982 May 2, 2010 5:58 PM BST
Jamesp......Very Well Done...Young Sir !
You recognised a champion in the wings (before Ladcrooks).....I managed £250 at 8/1 in October. But felt sorry for Henry. What a trainer of fillies the man is....But also a great run from the Bolger Filly.
Report TIROL1982 May 2, 2010 6:06 PM BST
I keep an eye on times And Discounted MAKFI, because his time was 0.40 seconds slower than the fillies trial half hour later.....so by my reconning Special Duty would have won the 2,000gns....I kept faith in the Dewhurst Form over the Racing Post Trophy, again because of the time. But ended up with several losers 2nd 4th & 7th but missed MAKFI....wish I'd talked with Peter O'Sullivan on Saturday Morning !!!
Report harchibald May 2, 2010 6:53 PM BST
JAMESSP MARSHMUGGER & Everyone else on here who had her

WELL DONE GUYS

The correct result IMVHO

Feel very sorry for Noel though - heartbreaking
Report thegibbons May 2, 2010 7:22 PM BST
Well done james,Hugely enteraning and informative all the way through.
Bring on the next one.
Report onthenoseinfo May 2, 2010 8:17 PM BST
top bombing jamesp....well done ;-)
Report Steeplechasing May 2, 2010 8:56 PM BST
Well done jamesp - and well done stewards whose public school education doubtless imbued them with a sense of fair play even stronger than their loathing of the French :)
Report downallstar May 2, 2010 9:02 PM BST
Wd jamesp.
Report jair1970 May 2, 2010 10:37 PM BST
Well that was unbelievable.

Every since the bookies started paying double result the amount of horses thrown out has reduced to a minute level.

To allow a favourite and a long backed favourite, to get the race in the stewards room over a 66/1 shot is nigh on miraculous, the bookies reps must not have been able to get out of the bar in time to get to the stewards room

So. well played the integrity of today's stewards who appeared unswerved by sentiment and well played all players. After yesterdays surprise result it's nice to get one for the long term player...
Report barjonn May 2, 2010 11:26 PM BST
well done jamesp and all the others who were confident she was a top filly .even if she was beat a nose right result in end ,everything written here spot on 1st class ,raise a glass to the special one cheers .
Report zilzal1 May 2, 2010 11:31 PM BST
Hope the (French) Champagne is flowing James
Report thedemps May 2, 2010 11:54 PM BST
Some guys have all the luck . . . .

The result was heartbreaking for Jacqeline Quest's owner Noel Martin, who named the filly after his dead wife.

Martin, who is a quadriplegic after a concrete block was thrown through his windscreen by neo-Nazis causing him to crash into a tree in 1996, was interviewed on Channel 4 before the result was reversed.
Report enpekd May 3, 2010 1:32 AM BST
noel martin is a big man who has endured real heartbreak,
i'm sure that he will be philosophical about the result of one horserace, his achievement in racing is already immense,
i'm also sure that we all wish him further success, both in life and in racing
Report bosra shame May 3, 2010 6:53 AM BST
I am just getting in after celebrating last night and have a few points to make. Firstly, well done to everyone who has landed a coup on this filly, esp james p who flagged her up long ago. Second, in my 25 years of following racing, I was convinced the Cecil filly would keep the race and am still shell shocked the placings were reversed. It really could have gone either way and the stweards should be applauded for making a bold decision when the easy thing would have been to let the result stand. Thirdly, didn't Pasquier give Special Duty an average ride ? The filly was last with two to go and he gave her an awful lot to do and was v lucky that Tom Queally bailed him out. Finally,I believe it was a very weak Guineas and I think Special Duty is the only Group 1 filly to take out of the race , the rest are rubbish, draw bias or not
Report Charlton2005 May 3, 2010 7:03 AM BST
In a way it's a pity the filly won with an objection cos it seems to have taken the focus off the greatness of the original post. In the next 10 years I doubt we'll see anyone put up a horse at 50/1 with a well reasoned argument to win a race 6 months later, that actually then wins. Genius James, genius.
Report Charlton2005 May 3, 2010 7:04 AM BST
Christ, it was actually 8 months!!
Report bosra shame May 3, 2010 7:06 AM BST
Nine actually Charlton
Report sj May 3, 2010 7:21 AM BST
well played james(and the others) top bombing
Report Julius Caesar ( JC 100 BC ) May 3, 2010 8:03 AM BST
For anyone whoever doubts the consistant flashes of brilliance from a certain Mr Mordin here is his early july 2009 offering ..


SPECIAL DUTY GETS INTERESTING FOR 1000 GUINEAS

SPECIAL DUTY (37) had run second in fast time to the smart Sorciere in the Listed Prix Yacowlef at Deauville on her racecourse debut. She apparently got knocked coming out of the stalls in that race and trainer Criquette Head feels she would have won but for that. This certainly seems credible following Special Duty's win in fast time in the Prix Robert Papin.

I had thought that the Italian raider Orpen Shadow would outpace everything in the big race as he'd showed tremendous pace to win the Group 3 Premio Primi Passi on his latest start, which was his fourth win in four outings. But Special Duty ranged alongside him right from the start and forced him to go a step faster than he found comfortable. The result was that the Italian horse tired late into fourth while Special Duty kept moving well all the way to the line to win in fast time.

This was a Group 1 class performance from Special Duty and marks her out as an even more serious threat to Canford Cliffs than Sorciere in the upcoming Prix Morny. Indeed I'm now wondering whether Canford Cliffs will have the pace to go with Special Duty in the Morny over six furlongs having seen what she did to Orpen Shadow here.

In the longer term I now have my eye on Special Duty as a live candidate for the 1000 Guineas. Her sire stayed beyond a mile and gets plenty of horses which do the same. And her dam is a half sister to two US Grade 1 winners over nine furlongs.

Special Duty is a decent size for a two year old filly and I can very well see her staying a mile later on. The big clue about whether she'll go to Newmarket for the Guineas will be if she takes up her entry in the Cheveley Park. Criquette Head, like Andre Fabre and other French trainers, believe that it's best to give a horse experience of Newmarket at two before tackling the Guineas.

Two of Criquette Head's three 1000 Guineas winners won the Cheveley Parks Stakes at two. And three of the last four French-trained winners of the Cheveley Park went on to win the fillies' Classic.

Give her physique, pedigree and the form she showed here together with the record of her trainer, it's surprising the bookies haven't marked up Special Duty for the 1000 Guineas. I'd be very tempted by 25-1 or more at this stage.

B-) Different gravy.
Report cruise d May 3, 2010 9:40 AM BST
Well done James a great result for you and anyone else that followed you in, congratultions.
Report Try My Best May 3, 2010 9:44 AM BST
Just got back from HQ and what a controversial weekend it's been.I have gone from the heights of joy to the depths of despair within a few minutes.To all the SD fans you got the result you required and well done to you all.Amazing that stall one was a disadvantage on the Saturday but on Sunday the race boiled down to a 5 horse race with those drawn low at a significant advantage coupled with the fact that brain dead jockeys on the higher drawn horses decided to go to the far side incredibly, after what they saw in the previous race.The form of the race is not worth a bag of marbles imo with the french filly not able to beat a 97 rated horse with 88 and 105 rated horses close up behind.As for the the Stewards decision,well I've seen a lot worse on a daily basis and I didn't think Pasquier stopped riding and the horse did not lose any momentum.On the other side the winner did take the second across the course.For me SD had over 1f and a half to get past JQ and couldn't.Henry looked devastated by the decision but what a gentleman he is.Chatting to other racegoers and considering the favourite got the race,I found more support for JQ to keep the race.Whether that was an English thing I'm not so sure.Should have known it was going to be a bad day when there was a power cut at the Bedford Lodge Sunday morning.The result of the 1000G certainly darkened my mood further.
Report EastLower Gooner May 3, 2010 5:53 PM BST
Got to be a BIG LAY next time out...basically won a 7 runner G3 race (at best).
Report geoff m May 3, 2010 5:54 PM BST
TMB only the jocks made stall 1 a disadvantage on the saturday.
Report Try My Best May 3, 2010 9:57 PM BST
I think there's an element of truth in that Geoff.It did not stop Jack My Boy in the sprint did it.Would Elusive Pimpernel have gone close to winning if he had come down the stands rail,imo no.
Report Hussard May 3, 2010 10:12 PM BST
The fact is Special Duty should have got the race, the only reason people feel different is because the uk stewards are usually way too spineless. Quealley made no attempt to straighten his horse as basically it is the norm for anything to be let go in this country.

No matter what the people who backed her on this thread got the winnings they deserved cos Cecil's filly took her way across the track and she only lost a nose which if she'd been allowed to go straight was more than distance she lost by.

Well done to all backers especially Jamesp !
Report Try My Best May 3, 2010 10:20 PM BST
According to the racing post poll it was 50-50
Report enpekd May 9, 2010 11:36 PM BST
There have been a lot of non-stayers among the posters ion this forum  (imo)
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