Well this race brings back some memories and the best of those for me was Dayjur winning when he was storming along in front and then he changed gear and went even faster, it was great viewing and if you get a chance to watch it again then do so as its well worth it.
Onto this year and there is some rain about tonight and the going at York at the moment is Good, Good to Firm in places but with the course having had 3 days of racing the rain will get in more easily, a look at the Going reports is advised in the morning.
The contenders for this years race have been pitting themselves against each other all year in the top sprints and I'm going to look at them in stalls order starting with number 1.
KINGSGATE NATIVE - He has Fallon in the saddle today so will not fail for lack of strength and this winner of the race as a 2yo is a Jekyll and Hyde of a character as regards his form, but if his good side turns up then he will be bang there if stall 1 doesnt inconvenience him too much.
PICADILLY FILLY - 100/1 outsider that has no realistic chance
EQUIANO - Has been in the form of his life this year and whose to say he cant get any better. Most pundits believe that he should be able to turn the tables on Starspangledbanner on their running in the July Cup at Newmarket as this flat track is much more suitable to him. He has been consistent all year 11212 and he should be able to break smartly from stall 3 and it looks like its going to be between him and Starspangledbanner come the finish. Okay a higher draw could have been better but he could well end up next to Starspangledbanner anyway as he has tended to drift left in his races and they will both be blitzing the trail in front. The stable say that he has never looked or worked better than he is now and if that is so will go very close, however if there is any rain it might just blunt his speed.
FLEETING SPIRIT - Probably hasnt lived up to his trainers expectations this year, however the ground looks like it could come his way tomorrow with the forecast rain. She was 5th in the July Cup and she probably needs to run the race of her life here.
DINKUM DIAMOND - 2yo that gets a generous weight allowance, but I cant see him getting involved.
SPIN CYCLE - He's probably not going to be in the first 3 in reality.
BORDERLESCOTT - Bids to make a hat trick of wins in this race, however he has had an interrupted preparation as it was thought that the injury he picked up last time would rule him out of this. The stable feel they have got him right but to win a Group 1 you have to be A1 and his injury may make him fall short this time. However although he is aged 8 he remains as enthusiastic as ever and if he is fit then he will finish close, although 3rd would be my idea of where he will finish this time. If he were to win he would command God like status.
PRIME DEFENDER - 50/1 outsider that has no realistic chance
ROSE BLOSSOM - Has been putting in some good performances against her own age group and she may suprise a few. Dons the first time visor to sharpen her up and she has course form.
MISTER HUGHIE - Finished with a flourish at Goodwood but they went fast there and that might have played to that type of run, okay they will go fast here but this is a better race.
SOLE POWER - 100/1 outsider that has no realistic chance
STONE OF FOLCA - 2yo that gets a generous weight allowance and his trainer has done it before with an unexposed 2yo, however I'm not sure lightning is going to strike twice.
STARSPANGLEDBANNER - Has the best of the draw in 13 if he can keep the rail as he has had a tendency to drift left. He is a bull of a horse that isnt 4 unti 10th September and his trainer has purred about all summer and he seems to be making all the right quotes again for this. He is blessed with abundant speed and he will fight out the finish with Equiano and I believe he will prevail again over his rival and take the spoils for the sponsors of the race.
It should be a thrilling race run at a very good pace and Equiano should get the early lead but wont be able to shake off the attentions of Starspangledbanner and he will stay on to win.
Lets hope its another one to watch again and again.
