The duel on the downs certainly lived up to its expectations. Dawn Approach v Toronado, an epic clash! It was 2-0 for the Dawn before Wednesdays Sussex Stakes, and the 2.000 Guineas and St. James's Palace Stakes winner went off the clear odds-on favourite to beat his biggest rival for a third time this year. But the Hannon camp was quite bullish about Toronado's chance, particularly at Goodwood, a track that should play in the hands of the colt with the master that is Richard Hughes in the saddle. Not to underestimate was Queen Anne winner Declaration of War though, as the O'Brien camp felt their horse would be better suited by the 1m trip than 10f , a distance he looked excellent over when finishing 2nd in the Coral Eclipse in July actually. The race itself then had absolutely everything: Drama, already at the start when Dawn Approach pacemaker Leitir Mor missed the break; a rattling pace to make sure it is a proper test; and an epic fight between the big guns in the closing stages. Toronado prevailed eventually in a tight finish, producing a blistering turn of foot coming from well off the pace where Richard Hughes tried to keep the colt covered as long as possible while Dawn Approach had to commit quite early from pretty much 3f out. A possible re-match at British Champions day looks now very much on the cards. Let's hope it happens as another clash between Dawn Approach and Toronado is just mouthwatering, isn't it?
München, Germany: Großer Dallmayr-Preis (Group 1) - Winner: Neatico
Another big race success for trainer Peter Schiergen and jockey Andrash Starke. The six year old Neatico, who was unbeaten in his last two starts, went off the 7/2 third choice here, but produced a strong finish in the closing stages to win his first Group 1, after being very consistent and successful just below the top level before. He beat strong opposition with Godolphin's multiple Group 1 winner Hunters Light and the French horse Opposite in the line-up.
Galway, Ireland: Galway Plate (Grade A Handicap) - Winner: Carlingford Lough
The most important race of the Galway Festival produced a one, two, three for JP McManus as his Carlingford Lough, Quantitativeeasing and Jacksonslady filled the first three places in the Galway Plate! The winner Carlingford Lough, a short 7/2 chance, was a late arrival as at the morning of the race it wasn't clear if he would even run in the race. He was first reserve, and when other runners pulled out during the day he got finally into the race. He was favoured by many though, and his odds collapsed once he was declared. Champion jockey AP McCoy steered the seven ear old eventually home to land the big prize.
Saratoga, USA: A. P. Smithwick Memorial Steeplechase (Grade 1) - Winner: Mr.Hot Stuff
National Hunt racing in the USA is something rather unusual but in fact there are a couple of big races and the Grade 1 A. P. Smithwick Memorial Steeplechase is one of the most important ones. The seven year old Mr.Hot Stuff won this years edition in good style, jumping well and drawing away from the rest of the field once safe and clear over the last fence. Mr.Hot Stuff was never able to reach the same heights on the flat, though he finished 3rd in the Santa Anita Derby behind Pioneerof The Nile a couple of years ago.
Del Mar, USA: Clement Hirsch Stakes (Grade 1) - Winner: Lady Of Fifty
One of the biggest Grade 1's for fillies and mares in the USA was run at Del Mare on Sunday and the generally lightly raced
Lady Of Fifty
won the race with a late burst of speed, travelling well of the pace for most parts of the race. Last years winner Include Me Out went off as the evens favourite and was well beaten as second last.
Mountaineer Park, USA: West Virginia Derby (Grade 2) - Winner: Departing
Departing couldn't have been more impressive when he landed the West Virginia Derby by an 8¾ margin. He travelled like a dream throughout the race, made a big move from half a mile out and kicked easily away from the rest of the field turning for home. He failed to make any impression in the Preakness Stakes before, but he looks certainly up to Grade 1 class.
Saratoga, USA: Whitney Invitational Handicap (Grade 1) - Winner: Cross Traffic
Fantastic front-running ride by Johnny Velazquez on Cross Traffic in the Whitney Invitational Handicap on Saturday. The four year colt found more and more under pressure in the home straight to fend off all his rivals. His first success at Graded level and there must be more to come from the lightly raced Unbridled´s Song son. Last years Breeders Cup Classic winner Fort Larned was a big disappointment, while Classic runners-up Much Macho Man looks to be back to his best as he ran a big race in 3rd.
Düsseldorf, Germany: Preis der Diana (Grade 1) - Winner: Penelopa
The Miltcho Mintchev trained Penelopa (SP 15/1), ridden by former German champion jockey Eduardo Pedroza, won the German Oaks in good fashion, despite not getting the clearest of runs in the home straight. She got boxed in and had to fight for position, but showed a wonderful balance and straightened up quickly. She beat the hot favourite Secret Gesture - who was already runners- up in the Epsom Oaks earlier this year - fair and square.
Klampenborg, Denmark: Scand. Championship (Group 3) - Winner: Bank Of Burden
Bank Of Burden defended his title in the Scandinavian Open Championship in good style drawing away from his opposition in the closing stages. He won this race already last year and finished third the year before. He's one of the best middle-distance horses in the Nordic region and his trainer Niels Petersen took him over to Dubai in the last two years, while not having too much of success though.
Øvrevoll, Norway: Polar Cup (Group 3) - Winner: Ragazzo
The Polar Cup was the first Norwegian race with Group status and has therefore a big importance for racing in this country and the Nordic region. The race is run at Øvrevoll Galoppbane, the only racecourse in Norway, which lies less than 15km outside of Oslo. The race was won by four year old gelding Ragazzo, who made all from the front in the 7f contest.
Moonlight Cloud put on a great show to win the Prix Maurice de Gheest for the 3rd time in succession. She had to break the track record though in order to fend off the challenges of Lethal Force and Gordon Lord Byron. Moonlight Cloud is expected to show up at Longchamp in September for the Group 1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp again, a race she won last year already.
Goodwood, England: Nassau Stakes (Group 1)- Winner: Winsili
Big shock in the Nassau Stakes, as 20/1 shot Winsili won the big fillies race on Saturday at Goodwood. Despite being generally lightly raced, the 3yo filly didn't really have had the form in the book to suggest she would be good enough to win this race. William Buick gave her an excellent ride though and steered her home to prevail in a tight finish. Hard luck for the favourite Sky Lantern again. She was quite unlucky as she got badly hampered in the closing stages. That means the question remains: Can the 3x Group 1 winner transform her excellent one mile form to 10f ? Runners-up Thistle Bird ran a brave race, while Hot Snap, once the favourite for the 1.000 Guineas, ran on really well. Multiple Group 1 winner Sajjhaa travelled like the winner until 2f out, but found the extra distance a bit to wide eventually, but should be a big player in all the big races over 9f later the year.
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