SHEIKH MOHAMMED has a score to settle in the Breeders’ Cup Classic — and that’s the race on dirt I want to be the main target for his brilliant York winner Ghaiyyath.
It was back in 2001 that Godolphin — the Sheikh’s racing operation — won the Juddmonte with Sakhee.
That terrific colt went on to take the Arc before heading to Belmont Park for the Classic. In one of the most memorable races of all time, Sakhee was denied by just a nose from the monster Tiznow.
Ghaiyyath, who was scintillating at York on Wednesday, has the perfect running style for the dirt at Keeneland, the track where Triple Crown hero American Pharaoh took the Classic in 2015.
Front-runners are massively favoured on dirt and while, as a European runner, there is always a chance of Ghaiyyath missing the break, there’s also the possibility he could do that in the Turf as well, should connections do the right thing and head to America.
Ghaiyyath has never run on any surface other than grass, although he seems to act on most turf variants.
Ironically the sire of his dam is Galileo, who was in that same Classic as Sakhee but back in sixth place.
Of course connections of Ghaiyyath might keep it simple and end up in either the Arc — where a big field may make it hard for him to dominate — or the Champion Stakes at Ascot.
But Sheikh Mohammed you have always been brave with your horses, so I ask you to be so again.
Head to the Classic.
Let’s see if your great horse can smash up brilliant US hope Tiz The Law, who would be the strong Classic favourite should the race be run today.
Talking of races being run today, it’s Ebor Day and the big one-mile-six betting handicap is a proper puzzle.
Nicky Henderson has solved a few puzzles in his time and he runs classy hurdler VERDANA BLUE (3.40).
The eight-year-old was unlucky not to land the Ascot Stakes at the Royal meeting. She’s not chucked in under 9st 2lb, but is used to carrying weight over hurdles and the ground, trip and strong pace will suit her well. Ryan Moore is booked. What’s not to like?
The final day’s ITV coverage at York kicks off with a Group 3.
It’s been a while since ZABEEL PRINCE (1.50) beat Study of Man in the Group 1 Prix d’Ispahan and he’s not as good as that effort suggests.
However, he will be spot on after a spin at Leopardstown in July and still retains some ability. I make him a decent each-way bet here against Lord Glitters.
BODYLINE (2.25) can take the Melrose. He has been second a couple of times this term but it was his effort at Royal Ascot which suggested this mile-six trip is just what he needs.
Things will happen that bit quicker in the Group 2 City Of York Stakes over seven furlongs and I’m sticking with ONE MASTER (3.00) who did this column a favour last time and is a class act at this trip.
She overcame trouble in running to win at Goodwood and this distance is absolutely perfect for her and not for many others.
The Ebor is next, before the last race on the box at York, a Listed event over five furlongs for two-year-olds.
BEN MACDUI (4.10) won well on debut at Hamilton and ran even better in defeat at Goodwood behind Steel Bull in the Molecomb.
Many of these are open to improvement but he’s got every chance of being good enough.
York has been fantastic and I’m a very lucky man to have been here. Ghaiyyath was awesome and Love was superb in the Yorkshire Oaks.
If last year’s winner of that race was The Queen in Enable, then Love is a Princess waiting to grab the crown.
What a week. Yeeehaaa!
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