Who’d want to be a handicapper?
I use the word unexpected advisedly, on the basis they were winners who were hard to find, if you were relying on the form book, and must have come at the bookmakers the way a runaway train might.
Arkadina, who is owned by Michael Tabor, was a classic case. She was given one outing as a juvenile, 12th of 17 at Leopardstown, and then the obligatory two in the early part of this season to qualify for a handicap mark.
She started the current campaign by finishing 9th of 15 at the Curragh and a week later, appropriately on April 1 if you were a bookmaker who suffered, was beaten a little more than 17 lengths when seventh to Ezima at Navan. Significantly, both races were on very testing ground and, as a daughter of Danehill, there was every reason to believe she would hate such conditions.
In any case, Arkadina was awarded a mark of 70. Given buckets of time to mature, Gowran showed that 70 was a major underestimation of her ability.
Apparently, Arkadina was readily available at 7-1 in the morning, 10-1 I'm told for those out of traps like a rocket, and was reportedly backed from 9-2 to 6-4 on track.
It is one thing to take the likes of 9-2, but when people are running around wanting to be on at 2-1 and 7-4 then you just know that someone, somewhere, believes here is a beastie with a ton in hand. And so it came to pass. Wayne Lordan only had to push out the filly in the straight and she scored unextended by seven lengths.
Wachman's Peak District, at Tipperary in early May, would have to be described as another classic. Like Arkadina, he was given the obligatory three outings in maidens, before venturing into handicap company.
Tailed off first time up at the Curragh over six furlongs, Peak District was then 14th of 21 at Navan, this time at five. Both races were on heavy ground, so maybe it was no surprise he didn't do any better, also being by Danehill.
Peak District was then granted his mark after taking eighth of 13 to stable companion, Followmyfootsteps, over an extended seven furlongs at Tipperary. He then returned to Tipperary a couple of weeks later and contested a five furlongs handicap off 73.
Backed from 12-1 to 5-1, Peak District scored by a snug length and a half. An indication as to how much he actually had in hand came on his next outing. Raised a whopping 15lbs, Peak District was only beaten a length into second by Baggio at Navan.
And just to show the Wachman yard doesn't confine itself to trouncing the handicapper, remember Navajo Moon, yet another Danehill, at Gowran Park in May?
She had performed reasonably well when sixth to Ela Enta in a moderate enough race at Tipperary, before justifying 10-1 to 3-1 at Gowran.
You'd have to wonder if there might be one or two more currently cooking in that part of Tipperary? Who'd want to be a handicapper?
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ON the lead-in to the Irish Derby, we all thought it was a sub-standard renewal, but that certainly isn't an accusation which can be levelled at Sunday's Oaks, back at the Curragh.
The first four at Epsom, Light Shift, Peeping Fawn, All My Loving and Four Sins are set to run and when you add Timarwa, Athenian Way and Profound Beauty then this will definitely be the definitive test for the fillies.
I thought Cashmans offer of 4-5 Light Shift and evens Peeping Fawn, in a match, had real possibilities. You just need a particularly strong view to reach deep down in the pocket.
The firm offered 16-1 about Aidan O'Brien saddling the first three in the Irish Derby and it didn't look much value.
Wrong-as usual. This time they go 25-1 about Ballydoyle repeating the feat.
I just cannot see it happening again. But if you laid 25-1 and had to pay out, then wouldn't you be almost tempted to go back on the drink!
