Hannon holds major Lockinge claims 10/05/2008 - 09:25:35
The Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on May 17 is the first real one-mile championship race of the Flat season and tends to throw up the odd top-class performer.
Horses of the calibre of Medicean, Hawk Wing and Russian Rhythm have taken this prize in recent times, with the latter starting the trend of fillies to have done well in the race.
However, the three engaged in this year’s event do not look to have the quality of Sir Michael Stoute’s Russian Rhythm or Red Evie and Peeress, the last two winners of the race.
Godolphin enjoyed a golden spell in the Lockinge at the turn of the century, winning three consecutive renewals.
But even though their representative Creachadoir is prominent in the ante-post betting for this year’s race, a suspicion remains he falls short of Group One company.
The favourite Cesare can also be put into that same bracket as although he looked better than ever winning his comeback race at his favoured Ascot, that was against nothing better than Listed performers.
James Fanshawe’s stable star has twice previously attempted to bridge the gap to top company but returned with his tail between his legs on both occasions.
So while this does not look like the strongest Group One race in history, at around the 3-1 mark he looks shocking value at present.
One whom seems attractively priced, however, is Richard Hannon’s Major Cadeaux at 12-1.
This lightly-raced four-year-old has always been held in the highest of regard by his veteran trainer, ever since he finished second to Hellvelyn in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot as a juvenile.
That was his last run at two but he beat the ante-post 2000 Guineas favourite Dutch Art in the Greenham Stakes in his Classic year, before finishing sixth in the Guineas.
At first it appeared he failed to stay a mile but there was a well-publicised injury scare on the morning of the race which could not have enhanced his chances.
After being pipped a head in the Criterion Stakes and finishing a close fifth in the Prix Maurice de Gheest, Major Cadeaux was finished for the season.
First time out this year the son of Cadeaux Genereux travelled to Ireland for a Group Three, in which he finished second in very soft ground.
But back up to a mile for the first time since the Guineas, Richard Hughes oozed confidence when beating Rob Roy in the bet365 Mile at Sandown.
With his stamina now proven and his ability certainly not in doubt, the 12-1 surely looks an each-way steal.
HOME PAGE
ARCHIVES
|