Oasis Fantasy: returns to Doncaster this afternoon.
Cold and overcast, just for a change.
We took three up the Al Bahathri second lot. They included Clarentine, who holds an entry in Listed company at Lingfield on Thursday.
I jet off to Australia tomorrow evening where the promise of warmer climes and a nerve-wracking week or so awaits. Winx was mind-blowing in the Cox Plate this morning and she now has to be one of the highest-rated fillies in the world. To demolish a yardstick like Criterion, even he didn’t have the clearest of runs, in the manner she did was one of the great performances of recent years.
Our duo ran well at Newbury yesterday and a winter on their backs will do them wonders. They should both be lovely middle-distance sorts next season.
We saddle two this afternoon and it’s a case of déjà vu for both. Island Remede finished second in the St Simon Stakes last year and we wanted to run her in the race again with the ground suitable for the first time since the spring. She shaped better than the bare result at Newmarket last time, unable to go with the principals on a better surface, and this doesn’t look a vintage Group 3.
Romsdal would obviously be the one to beat on his King George third, but he has a little to prove now, and I have plenty of respect for maiden winner Moderah, who made quite an impression at Leicester and could be anything at this stage.
At Doncaster, Oasis Fantasy runs in the same mile and a half handicap he finished third in twelve months ago. It’s fair to say this horse has endured a frustrating season and we tried to make him into a stayer when he probably just wasn’t getting home. While he doesn’t look to have anything in hand of the handicapper anymore, conditions will suit and he should be on the premises.
It was England’s turn to press the implode button in Dubai this morning and they face a mammoth struggle now.
I hope you all have a great weekend – enjoy the last Group 1 of the domestic Flat season.
Back Monday, time difference permitting.
Ed.