European raiders all set for more Breeders’ Cup success in America
THE BREEDERS’ Cup returns to the same racecourse for the first time in consecutive years and you won’t find many of the European raiding party complaining. American horses have traditionally dominated the dirt events as it is not only the main type of racing surface in the US, but there are also no dirt tracks in Europe. Therefore, the introduction of the new Pro-Ride surface at Santa Anita 12 months ago means that the foreign raiders can race on a surface pretty similar to turf with plenty of the ‘give’ they are used to.
The Europeans walked away with a staggering five winners last year and CONDUIT, successful in the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Turf, can win the race for a second time. Sir Michael Stoute’s colt seems to flourish at this time of year and arrives in the US on the back of a King George win and a great run in the Arc. The four-year-old is apparently blossoming in his coat and is a confident selection to land the second richest race on tomorrow’s card.
Rip Van Winkle is hot favourite to land the Breeders’ Cup Classic, the feature race of the two day meeting, but he looks to have a far harder task than Conduit and won’t be carrying my cash. Zenyatta and Gio Ponti are just two of the home party that look interesting and the race is far more open than the betting suggests. Goldikova should win back-to-back ‘Mile’s’, but her draw (11 of 11) puts me off recommending her at a skinny looking 10/11 with Boylesports.
Aidan O’Brien has taken a really strong looking team over to Santa Anita and I’ll be backing him to land both juvenile contests on Saturday’s card. Firstly, ALFRED NOBEL will be a decent each-way price on the American Tote to land the Juvenile on the Pro-Ride surface. He is as short as 8/1 with Hills but looks sure to be sent off at a decent double figure price. VISCOUNT NELSON has been crying out for quick ground and a test of stamina and will surely go well in the Juvenile Turf first up tomorrow night.
Godolphin can land the Sprint with GAYEGO and the 4.0 on Betdaq looks well worth taking. The ultra speedy Zensational is likely to set the race up for the four-year-old who has been a revelation since being dropped back to six furlongs.
The action all starts tonight and it will be a big shock if the Europeans don’t land the Marathon at 8.35pm. I cannot split Mastery and Father Time, so will be watching rather than betting. My only bet tonight will be LILLIE LANGTRY in the Juvenile Fillies Turf. The stable came within a nostril of landing this event 12 months ago with Heart Shaped who was nowhere near as good as our selection.
The flat season comes to an end at Doncaster tomorrow afternoon and our old friend CHARM SCHOOL can land the November Handicap at 3.15pm. The forecasted soft ground and 12 furlong trip look ideal and the 8/1 with Boylesports is too big to miss. Elsewhere, Sandown stages a cracking jumps card and although the declarations are not out until later today, look out for Nicky Henderson’s ZARINSKI if he stands his ground for the 1.40pm contest. He has apparently been schooling brilliantly at home and is already being labelled a possible Triumph Hurdle contender.
POINTERS…
LILLIE LANGTRY 9.08pm Santa Anita (Tonight)
ZARINSKI 1.40pm Sandown (Tomorrow)
CHARM SCHOOL e/w 3.15pm Doncaster (Tomorrow)
VISCOUNT NELSON e/w 6.45pm Santa Anita (Tomorrow)
GAYEGO 8.10pm Santa Anita (Tomorrow)
ALFRED NOBEL e/w 8.49pm Santa Anita (Tomorrow)
CONDUIT 10.57pm Santa Anita (Tomorrow)