 |
|
|
|
| Juddmonte Coronation Cup - 6th June 2008 |
Epsom
Derby
|
Soldier Of Fortune Lands Juddmonte Coronation Cup 1st 7 Soldier Of Fortune 9/4 2F Three-quarters of an hour before the Juddmonte Oaks, trainers Aidan O’Brien and Jim Bolger were both celebrating the result of the Juddmonte Coronation Cup after Soldier Of Fortune came with a well-timed run to score by three-quarters of a length. The O’Brien-trained winner was bred by Bolger and looks a leading candidate for further major race glory this year. He is quoted as short as 2/1 (with Stan James and Paddy Power) for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. The winner’s stablemate Macarthur took a commanding lead before coming back to the field, holding on for third. “Soldier Of Fortune’s a very natural horse,” said O’Brien. “He’s one of those horses that it’s probably just a matter of mind with him. He’s always been a very natural horse and we are delighted with the progress he has made since three. I think it was a level pace that wasn’t that strong because Frankie (Dettori on Red Rocks) pulled the field back off the pace a bit. They had a lot to do and I couldn’t believe that Soldier Of Fortune could get there from where they were because Frankie made it a different race. “Macarthur is a very good horse and was gone. Soldier Of Fortune did get tired but he’s an exceptional horse. When we go home on Monday everything will be discussed as to the next race he goes for. All races from a mile and a quarter to a mile and a half are open to him. “It’s great for his first run of the year and I’d say I was a bit concerned beforehand but Johnny was extra cool.” Jockey Johnny Murtagh added: “Macarthur’s a good horse in his own right and if my horse didn’t pick up then he would have won but mine just quickened a bit better “It went perfect for me with two horses making the running. I said to Seamus (Heffernan) that Macarthur is a good horse in his own right. This boy quickened up and just got a bit tired in the last 100 yards. I think he’s a better horse than last year. “He has strengthened up and is going to be serious horse this year. We thought he could win the Arc last year but he got interfered with although he probably wouldn’t have won. “But when I rode him in work the other morning I thought he would run very well although whatever he did today I thought he would improve on.” Owner John Magnier added: “I think for his first run of the year, we would have to be happy with that. By looking at him, you can see a lot of physical improvement from three to four but Aidan felt that like his other horses and most people’s horses that he would improve for the run do, so that was the negative before the race. “We think a lot of the horse and after he ran in the Arc last year we thought he might be winning a similar race this season. We are not into policies and we take it horse by horse but this is a horse that everybody thought would benefit from being left in training.”
CHANNON PLEASED WITH CONSISTENT YOUMZAIN The ever consistent Youmzain ran on from the rear of the field to claim second in the Group One Juddmonte Coronation Cup, three quarters of a length behind Irish Derby winner Soldier Of Fortune. The five-year-old, who was cut to 8/1 for the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Ascot, was settled at the back of the field before making his run in the home straight and was always closing at the line. Trainer Mick Channon was pleased with the five-year-old’s performance, saying: “Youmzain’s run a blinder again - he just needs everything to go right for him but he’s run a great race and I’m very happy. “He went away from the whip a bit but that was an exception. I’d imagine we will aim him at the King George now.” Meanwhile, jockey Richard Hughes added: “They went no gallop. Apart from the pacemakers, they walked and it didn’t suit my lad. When I hit him on the left, he went right and when I switched it and hit him on the right, he went left.” French trainer Andre Fabre, bidding for his seventh win in the race with 5/4 favourite Getaway, who unshipped rider Stephane Pasquier leaving the paddock, felt that his runner was beaten before being boxed in inside the final furlong. The handler said of the fifth: “Getaway was beaten when he got checked. He just pulled too hard and never settled. He was beaten by better horses.”
SOLDIER OF FORTUNE (IRE) FACTFILE 3 b c Galileo (IRE)-Affianced (IRE) (Erin's Isle) Soldier Of Fortune |
