Glorious Goodwood - Day 1 Preview. Could it be Deja Vu???
A short drive from Chichester, a West Sussex market town on the South Coast of England, sits a country estate spanning some 12,000 acres of countryside. Originally acquired in 1671 by the first Duke of Richmond (an illegitimate son of Charles II by his French mistress), the estate now sits in the control of the 11th Duke Of Richmond, Lennox, Gordon and Aubigany.
Goodwood, this most magnificent of country estates, holds annual host to two of Europes most historic motor racing festivals - the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Goodwood Revival.
Also nestled in this spanning mass of land is Goodwood Racecourse, a superbly picturesque racecourse set amongst the South Downs - a national park that spans some 110km from Winchester in the West, passing behind Brighton to Eastbourne in the East.
I’ve not been to a racecourse setting like it. To those that have been, you’ll know what I am talking about. To those that haven’t, make sure it sits high on your racing bucket list.
Every year, the course plays host to Glorious Goodwood, a racing festival spanning five days in late July and early August.
On Tuesday, we kick off with Day One and let us have look at the opening days feature races:
Al Shaqaab Goodwood Cup Stakes (Group 1, 2m)
The Goodwood Cup makes for a superb first Group 1 of the carnival.
First contested over 3 miles in 1808, this is one of the premier staying contests on the British calendar. Winners this century include two-time 3rd placed Melbourne Cup regular Persian Punch (2001 & 2003), champion stayer Yeats (2006 & 2008) and Sadlers Rock (2012).
Something happened in 2017, which draws some distinct parallels between the situation we see tomorrow.
A horse by the name of Big Orange (Duke Of Marmalade) was shooting for his third successive win in the contest, the big chestnut stallion had fought out an incredible battle with Highland Reel (Galileo) in the Gold Cup prior and had been right at the top of the staying ranks in the world throughout his career.
Stradvarius downing Big Orange in 2017 Photo: Timeform
An up and coming little 3yo chestnut colt took his place in the race having come off an impressive Group 2 victory as a lead in to the affair. Wearing saddle cloth 16 at the bottom of the book, he was weighted at 8st 8lbs (54.4kg), meaning he would carry 13lbs (6kg) less than the one shooting for the treble. When Stradavarius (Sea The Stars) headed Big Orange 1f from home go on and score, the staying baton was passed to the young gun.
This year, the same sort of scenario presents itself as a possibility when Stradavarius will be challenged by Santiago (War Front), an Irish Derby wining 3yo colt from Coolmore and Ballydoyle.
If we take a look at the comparison between 2017 and tomorrow, we find that Santiago profiles up as a better horse than what Stradivarius was at the time of contesting the race.
The John Gosden trained son of Sea The Stars had a record of six starts for three wins, only one of those wins was beyond a handicap (in that Group 2 the start prior). He was at that time rated 105.
This year this 3yo son of War Front has a record of five starts for three wins - including a Group 2 at Royal Ascot and the Group 1 Irish Oaks. He has an official rating of 111.
This year there will be a 1st 1lb (7kg) difference in weight between the two - remember the difference in 2017 was 13lbs (6kg).
For Stradavraius to record an incredible fourth win in succession in this race, he looks like he will have to be on top of his game.
But there’s major thing in his favour: as good as Big Orange was, Stradavarius is a better stayer pure and simple. He breaks the mould of your stereotypical grinding, never-say-die, dour European stayer. He is all of that with X-factor and a top class milers turn of foot.
If the young gun is to do it, he will have to be very good.
The challengers don’t stop there however and there is two runners that I will highlight as being very progressive types.
Nayef Road (Galileo) is a stayer going places in my opinion. He has progressed through the grades exceptionally well and possesses his sires key attributes: stamina and acceleration when it is needed. Two very different performances this season represent why I think he will be in the fight as well. At Newcastle in the Group 3 Segaro Stakes over 2 miles, he sat outside the leader under a choker-hold and powered away with acceleration in the final 2f to score over very strong rivals. In the Gold Cup on a sodden track and a gruelling 2 1/2 mile journey, he played the roll no-one wanted when he lead the field up and whilst couldn’t live with Stradivarius that day, was the only one who could see him in the finish in second, 12 lengths clear of the third horse. He is out of a Danehill Dancer mare, is extremely progressive, trained by stamina king Mark Johnston and is already a Group 2 winner on this course.
The other is Spanish Mission (Noble Mission), a 4yo colt from a Street Cry mare who looks a progressive type also. A Group 3 winner as a 3yo, the 2nd he ran at Sandown after a 129 day break from the racetrack in a very competitive Group 3 2m affair was full of merit and suggested he will have taken plenty of that.
The sentiments will be with one of the great (if not the greatest) modern day stayers in the 2020 Goodwood Cup, but it is one of the strongest renewals in some time and shapes as a real beauty.
Veuve Cliquot Vintage Stakes (Group 2 2yo, 7f)
The juveniles get to work again in the Vintage Stakes and this race is one of the premier makers of a high class race horse. It has a remarkable history of producing thoroughbreds of the highest order.
Formed in 1975, we can go back to a Derby winner in 1992 who was successful in Dr Devious, from the mare Rose Of Jericho who we profiled up after Even So won the Irish Oaks.
A selection of others on the honour roll include Ekraar (1999), No Excuse Needed (2000), Sharmadal (2004), Sir Percy (2005), Highland Reel (2014), Galileo Gold (2015) and Expert Eye (2017). This short list attests to the fact that it has thrown up subsequent Group 1 6f winners right through to Group 1 2 1/2 mile winners!
Pinatubo (Sharmadal) won this race last year in quite brilliant fashion on his journey along a sizzling 2yo season.
This year, one of the most impressive juveniles I’ve sighted on a race track in Battleground (War Front) is the pre-post favourite, and rightfully so. His win at Royal Ascot was full of conviction and the way he won that day coupled with his breeding would suggest he is only getting started at this distance. Out of the sensational race mare Found (Galileo), a Breeders Cup Turf and Arc de Triomphe winner, he looks the one they all have to beat here.
Qatar Lennox Stakes (Group 2, 7f)
The Lennox Stakes, which was formed in 2000, is a chance for some of the experienced 7f brigade to show their wears.
Ifraaj won this race in 2006 for Goldolphin and the honour roll and minor placing results have had the Godolphin blue all over it since its inception.
It looks to be no different this year when the blue army line up impressive 4yo colt Space Blues (Dubawi). He has always been held in high regard and he has looked better than ever this season. He won an above-average renewal of a listed event at Haydock on his return to action last month, before following that up in a Group 3 at Longchamp last time, gaining his first success in Group company. The class act of the field, Space Blues was twice placed in Group 1 company last season, finishing runner-up to Too Darn Hot (Dubawi) - a triple Group 1 winner and now stallion - and third to Advertise (Showcasing) also a triple Group 1 winner now at stud.
Sir Dancealot (Sir Prancealot), who is chasing a record third straight win in the race, seems to save his best for this track, and looks a live danger.
Pierre Lapin (Capella Sansevereo) was very disappointing at Royal Ascot last time, but he clearly wasn’t himself, and looked a promising colt last season.
The second Goldolphin runner in D’Bai (Dubawi) is a seasoned campaigner reaching some good form.
We buckle up for another great ride at Glorious Goodwood!