It's just a race to watch, for me, I don't see how anyone can bet with any confidence they're getting value at the prices, although I'm sure those who back the winner will feel justified. Goldikova is the best miler, male or female, I've seen for years, but I have no doubts that the vast majority of horses start to deteriorate at the age of 6, particularly those with miles on the clock, like her. They still sometimes manage to run to their best but they can't do it with the same consistency and I don't expect her to have as good a season as before.
Canford Cliffs has never run as fast as her on the clock and his form so far has been a bit inferior. An easy win over Free Judgement, a hard fought win over his stablemate, Dick Turpin, a comfortable but narrow win over a below par RVW and a workmanlike defeat of Worthadd simply doesn't compare to the mare's best efforts. His fans are taking it on trust that there is plenty more in the tank because of the style of his wins, maybe there is and maybe there won't need to be if Goldikova isn't at the top of her game, but at 5/4? No thanks. Also, personally, the Hannon yard (apart from their 2yos) has never been one I've had a lot of confidence in delivering the goods at a short price and Dick Turpin seems to have completely lost it after his Sandown win.
It wouldn't be the biggest surprise if Cape Blanco turns them both over, he'll need to improve from 3 to 4 but that's possible and there appears to be a bit of confidence behind him.
It's just a race to watch, for me, I don't see how anyone can bet with any confidence they're getting value at the prices, although I'm sure those who back the winner will feel justified. Goldikova is the best miler, male or female, I've seen for yea
I think C Cliffs will win this race. Hannon must really want to get one over her by now. Paco Boy came close last season, which makes me think he was more ready for thsi race than she was. Goldi has other target and might just be susceptible to a horse of Can Cliffs qualities.
I think C Cliffs will win this race. Hannon must really want to get one over her by now. Paco Boy came close last season, which makes me think he was more ready for thsi race than she was. Goldi has other target and might just be susceptible to a hor
I've decided to have a bet after all, now that Cityscape is a definite runner and the rain has arrived. I know most punters don't give him a chance but he ran some very fast times last year, times that make him very competitive against anything CC has ever clocked. If Goldikova is at her best the rest don't have a chance and maybe CC does have more up his sleeve, but given the doubts I have about those two Cityscape is much too big.
I've decided to have a bet after all, now that Cityscape is a definite runner and the rain has arrived. I know most punters don't give him a chance but he ran some very fast times last year, times that make him very competitive against anything CC ha
figgis you are a shrewd man. Cityscape is a very useful tool indeed when there is plenty of give.
I dioubt there has been quite enough rain though for us to collect.
J
figgis you are a shrewd man. Cityscape is a very useful tool indeed when there is plenty of give.I dioubt there has been quite enough rain though for us to collect.J
Yes, COT, softer would be better (although I'd be hoping it dried up for the rest of the meeting ), but he does seem fine on good ground. He needs Goldikova to under perform and CC to fail to deliver on all he's promised, so I'm not banking on collecting, but if he comes on for that Sandown run I think he can run a big race.
Yes, COT, softer would be better (although I'd be hoping it dried up for the rest of the meeting ), but he does seem fine on good ground. He needs Goldikova to under perform and CC to fail to deliver on all he's promised, so I'm not banking on collec
MrTea 10 Jun 11 14:17 Joined: 09 Jun 11 | Topic/replies: 10 | Blogger: MrTea's blog Heart Says Goldi, Head Says Canford
I'm 100% in disagreement with you. I think it'll be a carbon copy of last year's Queen Anne with Canford Cliffs substituting for the 'broken-hearted' Paco Boy (going down by a head) with the two well clear.
MrTea10 Jun 11 14:17 Joined: 09 Jun 11 | Topic/replies: 10 | Blogger: MrTea's blogHeart Says Goldi, Head Says CanfordI'm 100% in disagreement with you.I think it'll be a carbon copy of last year's Queen Anne with Canford Cliffs substituting for the '
Has Canford Cliffs covered on a line through Worthadd and has the same with Goldikova on Paco Boys running in the Moulin.
Pleasing run last time out, giving 7lbs first time out, sure to have come on for it, awesome draw for Frankie - right next to the rail, will love the cut in the ground.
I'll give him a shot.
Rio De La Plata @ 33/1 looks tasty. Has Canford Cliffs covered on a line through Worthadd and has the same with Goldikova on Paco Boys running in the Moulin. Pleasing run last time out, giving 7lbs first time out, sure to have come on for it, awesome
When she took it up and was asked to quicken she didn't even get away from Cityscape - thats what puzzled me. Maybe she is now simply past her very best - wouldn't be the greastest suprise given her age, whereas Canford should be at his peak.
All we need now is Frankel v Canford
When she took it up and was asked to quicken she didn't even get away from Cityscape - thats what puzzled me. Maybe she is now simply past her very best - wouldn't be the greastest suprise given her age, whereas Canford should be at his peak. All we
biggie77 14 Jun 11 01:43 Joined: 18 Jun 04 With both confirmed pacemaker FLASH DANCE and CAPE BLANCO (stays further & likely to be right up there too) in the race, I very much doubt Frankie would have an uncontested lead. It's entirely possible those up front could cut each other's throats & set this up for the remaining runners - not that they need any assistance in turning over Frankie's horse who I believe will finish 5th today. On genuine good-soft ground, I'd rather be backing CITYSCAPE at 20/1 as my choice of the outsiders. CANFORD CLIFFS imho is best on g/f and on g/s today could run 6lbs below his best. That would put CC on RPR124, & Goldikova ran to RPR122adj last time out (tho could obviously improve for the experience and stepping back a furlong to ideal trip). CITYSCAPE ran to 123 last yr on g/s over a mile so has a chance to get nr to the front two (if g/s) for a place at place odds of 5/1. I've got CAPE BLANCO running to 120 & RDLP to 118 so CITYSCAPE is a value alternative to the front two.
(All ratings quoted relate to RPRs)...Last night I rated RDLP as likely to run to 118 today & Cityscape to 123. Cityscape beat RDLP two and a bit lengths today which would support the difference in their ability I quoted last night. Assuming RDLP and Cityscape ran to the 118 & 123 I stated last night, Goldikova therefore ran to 126 being 1.5L in front of Cityscape (on bare form), but with the 1lb overweight Peslier put up, she has actually run to 127. That puts Canford Cliffs on 128+ which is 2lbs superior to the rating he achieved on his seasonal debut, but still 2lbs inferior to the rating he got beating RVW last yr. The form looks rock solid and there's no reason to think Goldikova ran below form as she has only run above RPR128(adj) once in her life when beating Aqlaam 6L in France. Infact, in 5 of her 6 runs last season she ran to either 127 or 128, with the other race being a 124 on softer than ideal ground behind Makfi.
The time of the race was below standard which supports the fact the form can be trusted.
biggie77 14 Jun 11 01:43 Joined: 18 Jun 04With both confirmed pacemaker FLASH DANCE and CAPE BLANCO (stays further & likely to be right up there too) in the race, I very much doubt Frankie would have an uncontested lead. It's entirely possible those
canford cliffs closes down what's in front of him. Hughes eased up at the line from a 1L winning position - I've no doubt he would have won if Goldikova had 1lb/2lb less to carry. Not so sure the result would have been the same if further rain had come though.
It all helps to promote a rematch with Frankel thrown in for good measure though, doesn't it?! :)
canford cliffs closes down what's in front of him. Hughes eased up at the line from a 1L winning position - I've no doubt he would have won if Goldikova had 1lb/2lb less to carry. Not so sure the result would have been the same if further rain had co
I'm with unclepuncle. I make it Canford Cliffs' best performance but Goldikova was a few pounds short of her best, which wasn't exactly unexpected at her age. I'm not a fan of blind stats but it's telling that a 6 year old has never won the race, well not as long as I can remember anyway. No excuses, the best horse on the day won, but it would be interesting to see if CC could beat the youngsters when he's aged 6, somehow though I don't think his connections would want to put that to the test.
I'm with unclepuncle. I make it Canford Cliffs' best performance but Goldikova was a few pounds short of her best, which wasn't exactly unexpected at her age. I'm not a fan of blind stats but it's telling that a 6 year old has never won the race, wel
Not that many 6yo's remain in training after having won a Group One at 3, and even fewer would be mares! Probably have to go back to Triptych to remember the last one to win a Group One at 6, so it's very premature to be writing Goldikova's obituary - she'll definitely be back!
Not that many 6yo's remain in training after having won a Group One at 3, and even fewer would be mares!Probably have to go back to Triptych to remember the last one to win a Group One at 6, so it's very premature to be writing Goldikova's obituary -
Merseybeat, but why do you think they're not usually kept in training at that age? It would make no financial sense to retire them early if there was a big chance of them enhancing their careers. I'm not writing her off, she still ran very well today and hopefully there will be other days, but she won't have a good a season as previously.
Merseybeat, but why do you think they're not usually kept in training at that age? It would make no financial sense to retire them early if there was a big chance of them enhancing their careers. I'm not writing her off, she still ran very well today
A-T, do you really believe Goldikova has only ever been less than 2 lengths better than Cityscape on ground faster than ideal for him? As a speculative backer of him today I can't agree.
A-T, do you really believe Goldikova has only ever been less than 2 lengths better than Cityscape on ground faster than ideal for him? As a speculative backer of him today I can't agree.
Figgis you normally post with a lot of comon sense but you are very wrong to assume that Goldi ran below par today
the fact is that her own trainer F.Head was quoted after the race saying 'she ran a top top race,as good as ever'
so excuse me if i dont take the word of some fella typing his opinion onto a computer over the opinion of the trainer of the horse that knows her inside out and has trained to the minute for the past 3 years
it does not take anything away from her that she was beaten by a better horse,it happened before with Zarkava and Makfi (on the ground) and it has happened again with Canford,she is still a brilliant mare and will still win the Prix Rothschild in Aug,she will still win the Jacques Le Marois in Aug,she will still win the Qatar Prix De La Foret in Oct and she will probably be beaten in the Breeders cup as Canford and Frankle will probably oppose her there
so to say she will not have as good a season as previous seasons is only going to be true this year as she is being opposed by better horses,not because she has regressed
Figgis you normally post with a lot of comon sense but you are very wrong to assume that Goldi ran below par todaythe fact is that her own trainer F.Head was quoted after the race saying 'she ran a top top race,as good as ever'so excuse me if i dont
Figgis that does not allow for Cityscape being an improving horse who had his best run yet. Goldikova's form today was better than some of her wins in the last couple of years.
TheFormMan agree with all you say here and she will mop up races in France - probably the Breeders Mile too which suits her down to the ground.
Figgis that does not allow for Cityscape being an improving horse who had his best run yet. Goldikova's form today was better than some of her wins in the last couple of years.TheFormMan agree with all you say here and she will mop up races in France