 |
|
|
|
|
racing news |
| Tweet |
racing news /
No Pacemaker for Frankel in Sussex Stakes
11/07/11
Sir Henry Cecil has suggested that his unbeaten star Frankel may well run in the Group 1 Qipco Sussex Stakes, the highlight of the outstanding Glorious Goodwood fixture later this month, without a pacemaker, writes Elliot Slater.
 |
The stunning 2000 Guineas winner was last seen extending his unbeaten sequence to seven in winning the Group 1 St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot last month, but the tactics employed there which included the use of a pacemaker, very nearly backfired. Rerouted was entrusted with the task of making a good, strong pace for Cecil's outstanding colt but went off like a scalded cat and was soon a long way clear of his field.
Apparently realising that the front-runner was of no use to him and would soon burn himself out, Queally took the spur of the moment decision, which has since been much criticised, to drive Frankel into the lead three furlongs from home as Rerouted stopped as if shot. In the end that mid-race sprint very nearly backfired as Frankel appeared to tie-up in the last 100 yards allowing Aidan O'Brien's fast finisher Zoffany get to within three-quarters of a length. Those looking at the Betfair Glorious Goodwood betting will no doubt wonder if this was a sign of weakness on the part of Frankel.
Cecil now believes that Frankel settles well enough in his races to manage without a pacemaker and will almost certainly dispense with that policy when Prince Khaled Abdullah's colt goes head-to-head with the mighty Canford Cliffs, conqueror of the great Goldikova in a thrilling renewal of the Queen Anne Stakes at the royal meeting, in a race that could well decided which horse is rated the best miler in the world. Those who bet horse racing money will be watching on with great interest.
Bookmakers currently make Richard Hannon's Frankel a best priced 4/5 favourite with Canford Cliffs available at 11/8 for the big race which is set to take place at the Sussex track on July 27.
