Social Discourse – Monday 8th July
This past week offered us the privilege of seeing the best mare on the planet currently, but also the sadness of losing one of the sport’s TV greats. It was a week of stunning contrast that dominates this edition of Social Discourse, writes William Kedjanyi…
- All Hail Queen Enable
We start at Sandown, and focus of the racing world at this point in time, Enable, is now an Eclipse winner on top of her already glittering CV.
On her first start for 245 days, contending with lighting fast summer ground at a ten furlong trip shy of her best there appeared to be, on paper, a hint of vulnerability. But, in the finish, there proved nothing of the sort.
https://twitter.com/RacingTV/status/1147516699693985792
The Race Recap (In Case You Missed It): Hunting Horn set a decent gallop, with Enable sitting on his heel and Magical in third. The rest of the field, in order of Telecaster, Zabeel Prince, Mustashry, Regal Reality, and Danceteria. Rounding the turn into the home straight, the field began to bunch up.
Frankie Dettori, who had always been travelling nicely, remained motionless as Hunting Horn began to give way, and at one point looked as if he was going to stroll away on Enable, who was showing more zip than rivals who were all proficient at the distance; but, when push came to shove, she kept finding and through the last furlong it was clear – in hindsight – that there was only going to be one winner. Cue an outpouring of love for the majestic five-year-old.
Oh, oh, Enable. Words are my business, but I have no words for this mighty mare. Except for love. Love, love, love, love.
— Tania Kindersley (@taniakindersley) July 6, 2019
What a privilege to be here ❤️❤️❤️❤️ https://t.co/nQQgjvfCJL
— Amy Nichol (@Amykins_1) July 6, 2019
About 1.0s outside Sea The Stars in the end https://t.co/NmubLyoQ6B
— Simon Rowlands (@RowleyfileRRR) July 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/rockonxruby/status/1147516772666490880
Oh my she’s good! #Enable
— Fergal O’Brien Racing (@FOBRacing) July 6, 2019
She’s some filly
— Liam Delaney (@liamdelaney1) July 6, 2019
Enable the Queen of Sandown. pic.twitter.com/4VxWF2wQMz
— andrew patey (@dubawimissile) July 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/HonestFrank/status/1147516439080984576
imagine doubting the queen.
— Callum (@Callum7946) July 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/TracksideJay/status/1147523374232612864
Where next? The King George. Tickets to Ascot might be selling rather quickly…
From the trainer, John Gosden:
“It’s been a long preparation and she’s only started coming to herself the last two weeks. Quite frankly, she’s come here at 85 per cent, maybe 90. I was slightly concerned in the last furlong but Frankie looked after her, it was a lovely ride. He always wanted to be where he was, he was keen to sit there and she’s an exceptional athlete. To come from an eight-month layoff to win an Eclipse isn’t an easy thing. She’s done it all herself and the plan is the King George.” – John Gosden, speaking to the Racing Post’s Tom Collins
"She tells you what she wants. All you have to do is listen."
Great stuff from John Gosden on Enable – her intelligence, mentality and the temperament behind one of the racing's great mares @nickluck pic.twitter.com/8JYiZqk5um
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 6, 2019
Best Of The Rest: Magical came close, but never really looked as if she was going to seriously threaten Enable, whilst Regal Reality, who once again misbehaved in the preliminaries, was a very creditable third under Kerrin McEvoy. Magical will be given a break and won’t be far away at the top level, and Regal Reality could also be seen in G1 company again next time.
Danceteria ran a cute race to hoover up plenty of cash in a staying-on fourth, and more Group prizes probably await. Mustashry was disappointing again and might need a break, whilst Telecaster was once again well beaten and there are some doubts about him now, though he too may need freshening up. Hunting Horn did his usual good job as the trailblazer.
Zabeel Prince looked as if he was going to be involved before being denied a run, and then faded disappointingly to be last. A return to France could be an option for Roger Varian’s charge.
- RIP John McCririck (1940-2019)
Racing saw its heroine shine, but lost a man who, to many, was a hero of the betting ring this week as John McCririck passed away on Friday.
The news brought out a huge wave of tributes for a broadcaster who was famous both inside and outside of racing, and with good reason. It is worth starting out with this brilliant tribute from Brough Scott.
Brough Scott pays tribute to the colourful and charismatic life of John McCririck pic.twitter.com/DUTg5kHb7S
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) July 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/TracksideJay/status/1147133642520649730
Sad loss of a true friend, RIP John Mcririck, and thanks for all the well received advice.
— Barry Dennis (@barrysbismark) July 5, 2019
Very sad to hear the news of John McCririck's passing – one of the most recognisable faces from the world of horse racing and a great at promoting our sport. Our thoughts are with Jenny
— AP McCoy (@AP_McCoy) July 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/goddamnpal/status/1147081489290604544
Nervously stepping on screen with tv powerhouse John McCririck some 10 years ago…’This is your roadshow Bryce…just you keep me in check’ he said. Of course I didn’t but who would ever want to. So kind, encouraging, supportive & a lovely man. Will miss him greatly #rip
— Gina Bryce (@GinaBryce) July 5, 2019
The best of them, however, might well have been Alistair Down’s obituary in the Racing Post, and Chris Cook’s splendid explanation of the difference between people’s view of his demeanour and his incredible journalistic skills:
John McCririck’s buffoon act sold a seriously skilled journalist short | Chris Cook https://t.co/im30sOcYfb
— Lydia Hislop (@LydiaHislop) July 7, 2019
Alastair Down: John McCririck was a passionate defender of the punter > https://t.co/WXzAM9Imt5 pic.twitter.com/DuTKa7nHey
— Racing Post (@RacingPost) July 8, 2019
- Coral-Eclipsed?
You know the drill. It’s a big Saturday with a Group 1 leading the card. Frankie Dettori has fancied rides. At least one of them is favourite. And people are doing the multiples.
It happened at Ascot, it happens every weekend, and it happened again on Saturday when he lined up with a fine book of mounts for Coral-Eclipse day.
Coral – for whom this is the biggest PR day of the year – made the call to accept multiple bets on Dettori – but only offered odds at starting price (SP) on his mounts in races five and six to punters seeking five-folds and six-folds. This, coming after bet365 and Sky Bet refused certain multiples featuring Dettori’s rides, of course, led to be plenty of discussions. Firstly, after the dust has settled, here’s James Knight of Coral:
We made the decision based on a book of 7 rides and the associated liabilities. ‘Pre-race liabilities’ would have turned out much lower due to the last NR.
— James (@jamesaknight) July 7, 2019
…but this is why you need people who understand betting and risk asking questions. It’s fair enough to challenge, but what we did was nowhere near as restrictive as the action Sky and 365 were taking, for example.
— James (@jamesaknight) July 7, 2019
There are two reasons – I think everyone was surprised at the scale of the Dettori liabilities at Ascot on the Thursday and then there is the knock on effect that suddenly a lot more people want to back the same 100000-1 l+ shot when he has a high profile full book
— James (@jamesaknight) July 7, 2019
And the views of others:
The bookmaker bashing is so very tiresome now. The bottom line is that big trading decisions are taken by people with more knowledge, more experience and more expertise than those criticising them. Having a couple of accounts restricted doesn’t make you some sort of expert.
— Richard (@gamray) July 6, 2019
Come on Richard. Ducking 5/6/7 timers when their firm makes billions per year. They’re jokers and @MCYeeehaaa did an excellent job on free to air tv exposing them
— David Bradshaw (@djbradshaw64) July 6, 2019
You are massively underestimating the numbers here. They are bets they would love to lay, but they can’t
— Richard (@gamray) July 6, 2019
Strong words from @MCYeeehaaa on ITV just now on restrictions on Frankie accumulators! pic.twitter.com/74oUiUBdgy
— Paul Fairhead (@BoycottBetfred) July 6, 2019
Bookies do lots wrong…
But not taking crazy liabilities on Frankie 5-6-7 fold is absolutely not one of them…
Those that don’t understand simply don’t understand accumulators and risk management
— Bernard Marantelli (@BernardColossus) July 6, 2019
We’ve got a huge amount of issues in the industry and I say that both as a punter and an operator but this is not one of them. SP last couple of legs been a common bookmaking practice for a million years. Chapman a pathetic attention seeker. I’d be fuming if I was @Coral https://t.co/eMccx4Qlrx
— Ian Marmion (@marmobet) July 6, 2019
in isolation maybe this decision to "manage" Frankie limits would be seen a bit more sympathetically, but added to the restrictions already put in place by firms it's easy to understand the disdain
— Charlie Sutton (@sutts109) July 6, 2019
In The End: Dettori ended up with a treble after wins for Mojito (4-1), Enable (4-6) and Falcon Eight (10-11).
The Social Discourse View: Betting nowdays is a game all about choice. Whilst Coral took defensive action – and remember how close they were, along with the industry, to being knocked for six at Royal Ascot – others offered a full service. Let the free market decide?
- Too Darn Hot
Once upon a time, there was a champion two-year-old. He went to his three-year-old season. Pretty soon, he came upon a programme. He knocked and went right into the season.
On the programme, there were three races. Too Darn Hot was keen. He went for the Dante, after an interrupted preparation.
“This comeback came at the wrong time!”, his trainer exclaimed.
Nine days later he went to Ireland for the 2000 Guineas there, and finished second.
“This came too soon”, his trainer confessed.
So, he went to Ascot and came to win the St James’s Palace Stakes. He came to win, but ended up third.
“This ground is too soft,” his trainer said.
So, he went to the next three-year-old Group 1 on offer, this time in France.
“Ahhh, this track and trip is just right,” he said happily as his horse waltzed away the Prix Jean Prat.
He’s back with a bang! Too Darn Hot wins the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat at @fgdeauville for @FrankieDettori and John Gosden… pic.twitter.com/brloHa0f0n
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 7, 2019
@RacingPost Back to winning ways… #TooDarnHot lands the Qatar Prix Jean Prat @fgdeauville for the Lloyd-Webbers, John Gosden and @FrankieDettori pic.twitter.com/PYxVkb4kHd
— Scott Burton (@seenthestars) July 7, 2019
Great to see TOO DARN HOT win a Group 1 in France today, dropping back in trip to 7F. As versatile as Dubawi has been as a sire, in his racing career, two of his five wins were at 8F and two were at 7F. It will be interesting to see where TOO DARN HOT goes next. pic.twitter.com/KIm6PvVcds
— Michael Harris (@mjyharris) July 7, 2019
https://twitter.com/RadioEmmet/status/1147933656075423746
Now that is stretching things a bit – and perhaps getting this wonderful website in trouble with the great Robert Southey (look him up) but he also did make short work of his rivals in the Jean Prat, relishing a decent surface, strong pace, and the seven-furlong trip. He beat the rapidly progressive Space Blues, whilst in third, making it a 1-2-3 for the UK, was Fox Champion.
From The Horse’s Mouth:
“We saw the real Too Darn Hot today. This is where we are starting our season, we’ve got a long year ahead.” – Lady Lloyd Webber, owner of Too Darn Hot, speaking to the Racing Post’s Scott Burton
“He’s proved what he can do today and has got us out of trouble” – John Gosden is relieved after Too Darn Hot’s return to the winner’s enclosure, deflecting praise onto the horse… pic.twitter.com/UbqldSzjTw
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 7, 2019
“His proper distance is 1,400 [metres] up to an easy mile and we’ll play to his strengths rather than stupidly playing to his weaknesses. He’s not a stamina horse, he’s built like a sprinter. I probably should have been running him in the July Cup next week, I’ve probably got it wrong again.” – John Gosden, trainer of Too Darn Hot, also speaking to Scott Burton
“We got in a nice slipstream behind Too Darn Hot and then tried to pick him up late on but he just quickened away from us. He kept galloping and I’m really chuffed with him. He could even come back a furlong because he does travel very well. He is always the last to come off the bridle but he gets the seven very well and a race like the Foret would be perfect for him.” – James Doyle, trainer of Space Blues, also speaking to Scott Burton
The Raiders: Far Above landed the Prix Kistena for James Tate under an excellent ride from PJ McDonald, making it yet another group prize that British trainers have landed this summer. The money’s there and for the taking…
- A Class Act…
Best wishes go out to the ace Sea Of Class, who has had her career ended by a life-threatening bout of colic. William Haggas’s brilliant daughter of Sea The Stars was one of the highlights of the flat season last year, taking the Irish and Yorkshire Oaks in tremendous style before finishing an extremely close second when almost running down Enable down the Longchamp finish.
It’s awful when it happens to any racehorse, but it’s particularly sad when it happens to a horse who is such a superstar & who had so many big races to compete in. Racing needs its stars. I hope Sea Of Class makes a full recovery & can take her place at stud https://t.co/oX34Seca6e
— Emmet Kennedy (@RadioEmmet) July 7, 2019
News of Sea Of Class being retired only just dawned on me. She would’ve added to a huge renewal of the King George. Hoping she pulls through, still got so much to offer.
— Declan Rix (@HawkWing2002) July 7, 2019
https://twitter.com/hoadie77/status/1147935762266169350
https://twitter.com/HattieLFuller/status/1147917109634187269
Hopefully, she can beat this awful situation, and give us all something to cheer after a major blow to the likely quality of many fillies’ Group 1’s this season, and also the Arc.
6. Elsewhere….
- Aidan O’Brien pencilled in Derby winners Anthony Van Dyck and Sovereign are set to represent Aidan O’Brien in the King George at Ascot later this month, and Japan, originally set for Ascot, will instead contest the Grand Prix de Paris next weekend
Aidan O'Brien gives @olibellracing an update on Japan and Anthony van Dyck pic.twitter.com/uarQhAtayB
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) July 6, 2019
- Ennbihaar gave John Gosden a record eighth victory in the bet365 Lancashire Oaks at Haydock
ICYMI
Enbihaar yesterday battled to win the bet365 Lancashire Oaks pic.twitter.com/9kGUVX2Nou
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) July 7, 2019
- Falcon Eight took the Coral Marathon for Dermot Weld after a thrilling duel with Ryan Moore and Mekong on the Eclipse card
- Winless in her three starts since making a winning debut at Yarmouth in September, William Haggas’ Hidden Message set the record straight in the Coral Distaff, fighting hard to beat Encapsulation by three-quarters of a length
That’s all for this week. Until next time…
– WK
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