I WAS delighted to see Mountain Hunter do the business in the final race at Meydan last week as he’s a horse I like and one I’ve mentioned favourably here before.
The race was run to suit him and he raced in a handy position which helped. He’s always shown us he’s a decent horse but he just needs a good pace to run at, or to make his own. Hopefully he’s not done with during the Carnival and can grab another win before it’s all over.
We had a good week on the blog last week and I think we should have a few more winners this time around too.
Tadhg O’Shea rode him to win last time and he was seriously impressed by this horse – and Tadhg’s not a bad judge at all. This horse went up the straight turf course in 1m 09s the last day which is one of the fastest times on the course. If he’s in the same form he’ll be hard to beat.
Racing History has always promised a lot but has often come up short at the top level. He’s chased home Dream Castle in both starts at Meydan and dropping in grade for this is going to help him a lot. It’s a tough and competitive race, but you’d have to side with him as he’s been able to compete in Group 1s.
I think our two horses face a tough task in this race. Dubai Beauty raced on the wrong leg around the course last time, and Swift Rose didn’t look to handle the track. I don’t think you can oppose Silva, who bolted up in the UAE 1,000 Guineas last time. It’s the same horses taking on each other so you’d fully expect her to win and Divine Image to be second again.
We have Top Score in this race and he’s stepping up to a Group 2, which is likely to be tough for him. He’s a handy horse but I don’t know whether he’s really a horse of this grade. The trip will suit him better than last time and he’ll try his best, but it looks a good race for the grade and there are a few better than him in there. I know Charlie Appleby’s boys really like Wootton. He was third in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot last year and he’s been working really well, I’m told. William Buick is on Mythical Magic but he strikes me as a horse who runs well but is hard to win with, so I’d rather go with Wootton.
He’s our best chance of a winner on the night and a horse I like a lot. He’s been unlucky in both his starts this season. First time he was baulked by another of ours as he was coming through and the last day he raced far too wide and was giving away ground the whole way. Granted luck in running I expect him to go very close in this race.
Good luck,
Kieren
