Midday, clipped, seems to be coping with the heat well (BC360)

So I’m safely installed at Santa Anita and, all things being equal, should be able to provide a more complete picture of the European contenders. The gossip and rumor mill is at full steam, offering some nuggets and some chronic misinformation in equal measure. Here’s how I see things as of Wednesday morning.

MARATHON

Mastery looks fantastic in his coat, particularly given how long he has been on the go this year. For all he is a stolid, unspectacular animal, he should hit the board at worst. I prefer the claims of Father Time, whose class may out granted this is (curiously) a test of speed relative to the St Leger. His sire, Dansili, has a good record on the synthetic surface. I spoke to Father Time’s rider Eddie Ahern, and suggested to him that his favoured “dive to the inside” approach may not be ideal here.

It has been noted that Ryan Moore has never ridden with his stirrups as long as when partnering Muhannak in his track work. Last year’s winner is a confirmed monkey, and is showing signs that his moind is on anything but the matter at hand.

JUVENILE FILLIES TURF

Lille Langtry is being highly touted by every judge as Aidan O’Brien’s best chance of a winner. She has taken the journey exceptionally well, and has stronger claims on paper than last year’s runner-up Heart Shaped.

Spoke to Kieren Fallon this morning: having been unceremoniously dumped by Junia Tepzia on the training track, he was keen to find out as much as possible about her form in Italy. She is not much to look at, but, as Fallon put it, “she must have an engine.”

FILLY AND MARE TURF

Although Midday has got her winter coat, and has been clipped, she seems to be coping with the heat perfectly well. Indeed, she looked cooler than the other Cecil inmates on the track today. She will not work on the firm turf before Friday, as the trainer does not want to risk “jarring her up.”

The smart money suggests that Jonathan Sheppard has done an exquisite job preparing last year’s heroine, Forever Together. She will carry my support, though Midday should be placed.

FILLY AND MARE SPRINT

Onle Green should not be good enough on the balance of form, but she is training well and is 1-1 on synthetics.

LADIES’ CLASSIC

Rainbow View worked on the maintrack today. In my experience, John Gosden is much more inclined than many European trainers to give his raiders a proper blowout in the run up to the Cup. Gosden told me he wanted “to make her sweat.” This filly moves beautifully on the proride and represents Europe’s best ever chance in the race, a contest where they are currently 0-7.

JUVENILE TURF

Pounced and Buzzword look really well, particularly the latter. It’s a shame that he has drawn so poorly, but is probably not quite good enough anyway. I think the Europeans will win this, with preference for Viscount Nelson, whose Champagne Stakes run was most likeable.

Awesome Act got quite agitated and sweaty on the training track this morning.

TURF SPRINT

Strike The Deal is a real professional and, of any horse, best represents Kieren Fallon’s riding skills. Since returning from his suspension, Fallon has made a huge difference to this animal, whose lackadaisical ways were threatening to get the better of him. This helter skelter track should suit: the downhill will help him travel better early, whilst he can produce a rattling finish. Solid board claims, but this is a somewhat stronger race than last year for my money.

SPRINT

There may be nothing in this, but I’m detecting some negative vibes around the barns surrounding Fleeting Spirit. Also, she has been dealt a rotten hand by the draw Gods. Without these considerations, she enters calculations as a filly with tactical speed and strong finishing effort. Filles have a decent record in this, and she bids to become the first successful European since Sheikh Albadou in 1991.

JUVENILE

Hope rather than expectation is the order of the day here. My feeling is that Beethoven can beat his stable companion Alfred Nobel.

As far as the confidence of connections goes, Brian Meehan is hopeful of a big run from Radiohead. He was keen to persuade the new owners that this was the horse’s spot, rather than the juvenile turf. Sire Johannesburg took this in 2001.

His jockey, Martin Dwyer, had his first taste of Santa Anita’s proride this week: he reported to me that he thought it riding “quite slow.” Interesting, because another debutant jock, Tom Queally, felt it was “a bit faster than the synthetics at home.”

MILE

Goldikova looks a stronger physical specimen than at the corresponding stage last year. Her trainer Freddie Head is supremely confident, and seems gloriously unflustered by the terrible draw.
People are citing Six Perfections winning from the car park gate back in 03, but she was a filly that needed to be rated way off the speed. That won’t be so straightforward for Goldikova.

Gladiatorus looks most impressive, and seems a shade more relaxed than stable mate Delegator. Considering his lack of experience, Zacinto is taking all this like an old hand.

DIRT MILE

Mastercraftsman should take these apart, but enthusiasm is tempered by his long, hard season. The worry is whether he has enough tactical speed to hold a good position from Gate 1 without being hard ridden early.

TURF

For me, Spanish Moon is the European that stands out in terms of condition. Although Conduit is hard to fault, there seems to be a growing confidence in the Stoute camp that the Fallon-ridden second string can force the defending champ into submission.

I am growing keener on Spanish Moon by the day, particularly as he gate schooled this morning. There is even a school of thought that suggests he should be running in the Classic.

Dar Re Mi has worked pre-6am every morning, and is in good shape. I still have her in any exotic bets.

CLASSIC

After well documented scares surrounding his notorious feet and a difficult journey, Rip van Winkle finally delighted Aidan O’Brien this morning. Indeed, for all the hyperbole surrounding past Ballydoyle inmates, I have never heard him enthuse quite so readily. In short, he thinks this colt is going to take this Classic apart if he brings anything close to his A-game.

The locals are forgetting Twice Over, paying him almost no attention. More fool them.