La Collina sprang a 33-1 surprise in the Group One Keeneland Phoenix Stakes yesterday at the Curragh. Generally unconsidered for the race the filly put up a terrific performance against her male counterparts. Last of the nine runner field at the furlong pole La Collina demonstrated a blistering turn of foot to wear down Aidan O’Brien’s Power and triumph by a neck. Power had traded at 1.06 in running. I had mentioned Tough As Nails representing the each-way value and he ran admirably beaten by 1 ¾ lengths in finishing third to offer some recompense for each-way backers.
The unluckiest loser of the weekend was at Ascot and the horse I had suggested was worth backing at 10-3 on Friday – Medicean Man. French jockey Christophe Lemaire won’t be reaching for the DVD of the race any time soon giving Medicean Man a poor ride getting his mount into trouble not once but twice inside the final two furlongs. There is no question Medicean Man would have won otherwise. Ultimately he was held a fast finishing neck by Dungannon. The winner now looks likely to be aimed at the Portland handicap at Doncaster.
Parlour Games won the Shergar Cup staying on strongly over the twelve furlong trip. Godolphins three-year old looks sure to improve with a greater test of stamina and the Melrose Stakes over fourteen furlongs at York in the third week of August could be his target. Runner-up Ithoughtitwasover put up a battling show under Richard Hughes – beaten three quarters of a length. The three-year old colt was another horse to suffer trouble in running, short of room and having to be switched left two furlongs from home. He looked the winner as he stayed on resolutely, but ultimately couldn’t quite reach Parlour Games: he should be followed.
Firebeam was the talking horse in the Shergar Cup sprint over six furlongs but he disappointed in finishing third. Morache Music done the shouting on the day coming home 1 ¾ lengths ahead of Desert Law. Morache finished strongly and is another horse to keep on the right side of.
The most significant performance of the weekend was arguably at Newmarket and Discourse winning the Group 3 Sweet Solera stakes in comfortable fashion. A two-year old Street Cry filly she can go to the very top and holds 1000 Guineas claims. Disclosure showed signs of being green when pulling too hard in the early stages of the seven furlong race but showed good speed at the business end of the contest clearing away from a useful field. The Godolphin team assert that the filly will stay the mile. Disclosure has moved to 8-1 second favourite for next seasons 1000 Guineas. Midday is the favourite for next year’s classic and boosted her credentials when winning the Debutante stakes yesterday, retaining her unbeaten record.
A horse who will be heading into the winners enclosure soon is another Godolphin inmate, Asaid. Beaten a short head by Michael Stoute’s Cops and Robbers in a class 5 maiden Asaid ran green and hung when asked to make his challenge but will have learned a lot from this experience. Back him next time out.