NOT much has been said about three-year-olds in the Juddmonte International – but considering their weight allowance I was stunned when I checked that so few have landed the prize in the last 30 years.
In that time period only seven of the Classic generation have taken York’s showpiece over mile and a quarter. It just makes you think a little.
City of Troy, the Derby hero, goes into the prize rated 124 and carries a weight of 9st 1lb.
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Of course these things just depend on how you interpret them, but on current ratings, Japanese hope Durezza is City of Troy’s main rival with a mark of 120.
But he carries 9st 8lb, and therefore is giving 7lb.
As I have said, if you just say that’s weight for age then you can ignore the eight. But you could also see it as City of Troy having 12lb in hand.
The three-year-olds that have scored recently are mostly class acts.
They number Roaring Lion and Australia, Sea the Stars and Authorized and the iron horse himself Giant’s Causeway.
Arabian Queen and Japan also scored, although in real terms neither would be considered a worldy.
We found out today exactly who takes on City of Troy – last seen battling home in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.
If a three-year-old proves his biggest danger then on current figures Ambiente Friendly – who Aidan O’Brien’s star has already thrashed – and Calandagan are the main threats.
Speaking of Aidan O’Brien, who has had three horses run in the UK over last few days who I suspect are all worth following even though they were stuffed.
Aftermath got going late against free-going winner Mukaber at Newbury but the Justify half-brother to Wafei finished to great effect and I suspect he will improve bundles for this.
He’s entered in the Dewhurst and while he’ll win something small first – he could be anything.
Another I liked the look of was Scandinavia, who chased him Anniversary at Newmarket.
Although he had an experience edge over the winner he wandered all over the place and still looked very green. He’ll be winning soon.
Then there was Isambard Brunel, a huge great brute who was only fifth to Hopewell Rock at Newbury.
He’s another Justify and was off the bridle at half-way but I believe you will see a completely different animal on his next start.
All three could win next time.
Meanwhile, Kieran Shoemark is on the count down to a Group 1 for John & Thady Gosden after he banged in his first Group 2 success for his new bosses when Friendly Soul was given a peach of a ride from the front at Deauville yesterday.
Some utter drivel has been written about Shoemark this season, and yet he has had the strength of character to retain all his decorum and show what he can do when given the chance.
Prior to yesterday’s victory, Friendly Soul was one of the horses Shoemark had scored at Group 3 level on for the Gosdens, with the other numbering Lead Artist.
Shoemark is absolutely up to the grade if his horses are, and away from the Gosden yard he’s ridden some blinders for Charlie Fellowes and Jamie Insole.
All credit to him. Maybe Emily Upjohn will shine for ’shoe’ in the Yorkshire Oaks if given her chance. She was around 8-1 at the time of writing, although shorter now with Bluestocking in the Juddmonte.
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