Juddmonte International Preview

Okay, quick and dirty summary as the race isn't far away:

Dylan Thomas is still very beatable for my money when he steps down to 10f, and taking last year's race into account there's definitely claims that he doesn't like the course or the going as much as Notnowcato. If it develops into another tactical battle then I could see Notnowcato having a chance to repeat his Sandown form with Authorized, but I don't see that being a problem here as there is a clear indication from the earlier races that the horses will come down the middle, slightly favoring the stands side. I think Authorized will cruise around as he did in the Dante and given the solid pace that the Coolmore pacemaker will surely be encouraged to provide for Dylan Thomas, I think he'll have no problems making up for his Eclipse eclipse. If there's one other horse I do like in the line-up it's Asiatic Boy, I think he will come on a ton for his first run and for the step up in trip. I can't see him beating Authorized, but I could see him beating one or two of the others as they wear each other out. Duke of Marmalade is clearly a very good miler, but he'd need to improve at the very least a half stone to win here, and I think he'd prefer a quicker surface, too. So, then:

1st: Authorized
2nd: Asiatic Boy
3rd: Notnowcato

Acquisitions

Godolphin have once again been strengthening the ranks of their Darley stallion portfolio with the news that Teofilo, last season's champion 2 year old in Europe and the winter favorite for the 2000 Guineas and Derby, will stand at Darley's Kildangan Stud in Co. Kildare from 2008. Jim Bolger will retain ownership of the horse, but in light of recent purchases of Street Sense and Hard Spun in the US, Admire Moon in Japan and Authorized in Britain, it's clear that Godolphin has decided that enough is enough when it comes to the current dominance that their rivals Coolmore have been enjoying for the past few years.

The other most significant aspect of the deal is the identity of Teofilo's sire - Galileo. Put together with Authorized (by Montjeu), it's clear that Sheikh Mohammed has completed his U-turn with regard to his decision not to purchase any progeny of Coolmore stallions, into which category Galileo, Montjeu and their sire Sadler's Wells all fall.

Meanwhile, Coolmore themselves haven't been standing still. Their three main owners (John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith) have plunged for the impressive unbeaten two year old Myboycharlie. The colt will remain with trainer Tommy Stack for now, but, despite assurances to the contrary, the decision has been taken not to supplement him for the G1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday. This is because he would be coming up against Henrythenavigator, currently the colt who appears to be Coolmore's number one juvenile, and ideally for the new owners these two wouldn't meet until next year's 2000 Guineas at the earliest.

What this has robbed us of is potentially one of the most intriguing two year old matchups of the year so far. The winner of the Pheonix has ended up as one the season's top rated juveniles of their sex in each of the last four years, but we will have to wait a little longer before we see any potential champions clashing this year.

Metal Gear 20th Anniversary Metal Gear Solid Collection

I received my Limited Edition MGS boxset this morning, and I have to say it's a bit swanky. Here are some quick pics:










Now to order the 20th anniversary soundtrack!

Update: I've now put up some better pics and a bit of description over at Allaboutthegames, and my OST is on its way!

A Quick Sussex Stakes Prediction

I remain to be entirely convinced with Excellent Art, such is the manner of his running style and also the question marks that surrounded Cockney Rebel's fitness last time out at Ascot, when Excellent Art scored by a neck from Duke of Marmelade. Had Cockney Rebel not run in the race, that form wouldn't look as strong.

Both Ramonti and Jeremy have proven themselves to be high class colts, although it's questionable whether Jeremy will see out the mile well enough. Ramonti will be the form marker, and if he is involved in the finish you'd have to conclude that it will have been a tough race, but not a classic one.

Asiatic Boy is the one I like most, Mike De Kock is making a concerted effort with his horses in the UK this summer (as evidenced by Iridescence's great run last time out) and whilst even he admits that the ground, the track and the surface are all possible stumbling blocks, Asiatic Boy is potentially world class. I think he'll win in a canter.

1st: Asiatic Boy
2nd: Ramonti
3rd: Excellent Art

Race Postscript: I can't believe the price that Ramonti was allowed to go off. Given that Asiatic Boy looked slightly ill at ease on turf, although he by no means travelled badly, and looks as though he will better over another furlong or two, as with his UAE Derby win, (two very real concerns even before the race) the form has worked out pretty much perfectly. Now we await the return of Cockney Rebel and the possibility of Manduro stepping down to a mile to see just exactly who deserves to be crowned champion miler.