The most significant Godolphin winner on a busy weekend of international racing stole the headlines at Longchamp on Sunday. His name is Territories and he is likely to be aimed now at the French 2,000 Guineas after winning the G3 Prix de Fontainebleau in most convincing style.
The most significant Godolphin winner on a busy weekend of international racing stole the headlines at Longchamp on Sunday. His name is Territories and he is likely to be aimed now at the French 2,000 Guineas after winning the G3 Prix de Fontainebleau in most convincing style.
This son of Invincible Spirit sat well off the pace but when asked to quicken by jockey Mickael Barzalona at the top of the straight, he responded immediately and flew home to beat Karar and The Comissioner, with something in hand.
Territories gives every indication that he has trained on well at three. His form in four outings at two was proof that he is knocking on the door at G1 level. He was involved in the rough-house finish to the key juvenile race on Arc day from which Gleneagles was disqualified.
Trainer Andre Fabre has built well on this colt's achievements in his debut season, and he is ready for a crack at a Classic.
A major shock occurred in Ireland when John F Kennedy, the ante-post favourite for the Derby, trailed in last of three runners in the Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown on Sunday. The colt was reputed to be one of Ballydoyle's best but this poor seasonal debut has lost him his high place in the pecking order.
Success Days, by Jeremy, won the race under a heady ride from local jockey Shane Foley.
John F Kennedy eased in Derby calculations, particularly when the Dermot Weld-trained Zawraq staked an emphatic claim on the Epsom Classic with a runaway win in the Leopardstown 2,000 Guineas Trial on the same card.
Weld trains the son of Shamardal for His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The colt has an entry in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, but the trainer could send him instead for the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial as a stepping stone to Epsom. Weld trained four winners, repeating his effort of the previous day when sending out a four-timer at Gowran Park.
In Australia, the hardy Criterion won the A$4m Queen Elizabeth Stakes for trainers David Hayes and Tom Dabernig with a stunning display in heavy ground at Randwick, Sydney. He beat globetrotting money-spinner Red Cadeaux and Royal Descent.
Contributer missed the race due to a minor set-back but there are upbeat reports that he will continue to race on in Australia. Adelaide, the Cox Plate winner, could never get into the race and finished eighth.
Chris Waller sent out the 1-2 in the Sydney Cup, Grand Mashal and Who Shot Thebarman, after Godolphin's Hartnell set a very strong pace in the heavy conditions before finishing a gutsy fourth.
In the USA, American Pharoah secured his place in the Kentucky Derby line-up when winning the Arkansas Derby very impressively by eight lengths.
