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INTERNATIONAL DIARY JUNE 4, 2010 A lump of coal. That's what ST NICHOLAS ABBEY (Montjeu [Ire]) has left for his fans, instead of the promised gift of a thrilling classic season. Even if it were unrealistic to hope that he would be the next Sea the Stars, his blistering display in last fall's Racing Post Trophy (Eng-G1) suggested that he was on the verge of a magnificent campaign at three. Unfortunately, St Nicholas Abbey has not delivered, and as a result, the mantle of Europe's top classic colt is still waiting to be claimed. Even allowing for the facts that Aidan O'Brien's horses typically need a race to reach their peak, and that St Nicholas Abbey would prefer to go much farther than a mile, his sixth-place performance in the May 1 Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1) at Newmarket was thoroughly discouraging. One might have expected him to turn in a fine prep for the Derby (Eng-G1) by traveling well in the Guineas, lengthening stride powerfully and staying on well, whether in victory or defeat. Instead, we saw a colt whose action looked like a soft-ground performer as he chased the leaders through a slow pace. Although he could be forgiven for being caught for speed when the field quickened, it is much less easy to overlook the fact that he didn't even finish with any gusto. O'Brien cites a few mitigating factors -- that St Nicholas Abbey was bumped early, raced a bit keenly and wasn't suited by the way the race set up -- but given his previously unbeaten record and his all-conquering reputation, he should have coped better than he did on the day. The runner who coped best on the day was the inscrutable French invader MAKFI (Dubawi), a 33-1 shot who had won both of his starts over much lesser company on the other side of the Channel, including the April 8 Prix Djebel (Fr-G3). Aside from the class question was the matter of his background. A royally-bred colt from the family of Alhaarth, Green Dancer and Authorized, he was nonetheless deemed expendable by Sheikh Hamdan's Shadwell operation. After he failed to make the races for former trainer Marcus Tregoning last season, he was sold for only 26,000 guineas ($44,842) at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale. The cast-off soon came good for Mikael Delzangles in France, but I frankly didn't think that Shadwell would let a son of Dubawi, and grandson of the ill-fated Dubai Millennium, get away from them if he were anything at all. That turned out to be a wrong-headed assumption, for Makfi is a high-class colt. Quickening smartly in the Guineas, he rolled past DICK TURPIN (Arakan) and drew 1 1/4 lengths clear. On paper, Makfi's Guineas form has held up to an exceptional degree, with Dick Turpin coming back to miss narrowly in the May 16 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas) (Fr-G1), and Guineas third CANFORD CLIFFS (Tagula) returning to dominate the May 22 Irish Two Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1). Logic would dictate that they have flattered Makfi, who has some claim to be rated as the best three-year-old miler at the moment. On the other hand, I suspect that the Guineas at Newmarket can't be read in such a literal manner, nor can the form be regarded as iron-clad. Precisely because of the relatively tepid early pace, neither Dick Turpin nor Canford Cliffs were seen at their best that day. Dick Turpin thrives with a target, but he was right up with the leaders in the early going of the Guineas. In contrast, when he ventured to Longchamp for the French Guineas, Dick Turpin enjoyed a ground-saving trip off the pace, drove to a narrow lead in the stretch, and was gunned down late by the fast-finishing LOPE DE VEGA (Shamardal). The margin of victory was officially a half-length, but Lope de Vega was well on top, and the Andre Fabre pupil gave every indication that he had more up his sleeve. My instinct is that Dick Turpin actually put up a stronger performance here than at Newmarket, based on his closing off a genuine tempo, and if so, that would make Lope de Vega's effort all the more meritorious. Lope de Vega was breaking through with his first stakes triumph, having finished fourth in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Fr-G1) in October and a solid third in the April 25 Prix de Fontainebleau (Fr-G3). Both efforts came versus better fields than Makfi had ever faced in France. Lope de Vega was beaten by the Aga Khan's SIYOUNI (Pivotal) on both occasions, but turned the tables in the French Guineas. While Lope de Vega is on the upgrade, it must be emphasized that the favored Siyouni never had a chance last time. The impressive winner of the Lagardere, and a barnstorming runner-up in the Fontainebleau, Siyouni was trapped in traffic, went for a gap that disappeared, steadied and dropped right out. His finishing position (ninth) is irrelevant, for jockey Christophe Lemaire accepted his misfortune and didn't persevere once his chance had gone. If Siyouni had benefited from the clear sailing that Lope de Vega found, he would have been in the hunt at the wire. While it's arguable whether Dick Turpin ran better at Newmarket or Longchamp, the case of his much more highly-regarded stablemate Canford Cliffs is undeniable, as he took a radical step forward from the English to the Irish Guineas. His progress was no surprise, except to his detractors, who had claimed that he was a sprinter who couldn't stay a mile. I questioned that doctrinaire view, primarily because of the testimony of trainer Richard Hannon. Not only had he praised Canford Cliffs as the best two-year-old he'd ever had in his long and distinguished career, but he had always been convinced that the speedy colt would see out a mile. Canford Cliffs' third in the English Guineas didn't settle the matter. Pulling fiercely under restraint early, he accelerated into contention, but didn't quite sustain the move and finished a half-length back of Dick Turpin. Was it Canford Cliffs' failure to relax that cost him dearly at Newmarket, or was it the distance? The demanding mile of the Curragh would prove the acid test, and he passed it with flying colors. Canford Cliffs settled kindly in the Irish Guineas, perhaps assisted by the fast pace, as well as by jockey Richard Hughes' having "found the key to our fella." As his rivals were all coming under pressure, Canford Cliffs was simply cantering up behind them, and he bounded three lengths clear of FREE JUDGEMENT (Vindication) in a convincing performance. I don't think that Makfi would have touched Canford Cliffs that day, and we won't have to wait long for a rematch. The two will square off again in the June 15 St James's Palace S. (Eng-G1) on opening day at Royal Ascot, in a superb contest that should identify the best three-year-old miler in Europe. In addition to the plot line of Makfi versus Canford Cliffs, the St James's Palace is also expected to feature Siyouni on a retrieval mission; Dick Turpin and Free Judgement; and O'Brien's STEINBECK (Footstepsinthesand [GB]), who finished a very promising fourth in the Irish Guineas in his comeback. Just as the St James's Palace will sort out the milers, so will Saturday's Derby at Epsom produce a leader among the 1 1/2-mile brigade. I wasn't really expecting St Nicholas Abbey to turn things around after his Guineas flop, so his subsequent withdrawal due to a muscle injury hasn't left me bereft. Nor has it left Ballydoyle bereft, despite the palpable disappointment on the part of O'Brien. Indeed, the maestro holds an enviably strong hand with JAN VERMEER (Montjeu [Ire]) and MIDAS TOUCH (Galileo [Ire]). Jan Vermeer has been the raging favorite for the Derby since rumors swirled about St Nicholas Abbey's status, and it's easy to see why he has come in for so much support. A smashing, front-running winner of the Criterium International (Fr-G1) last November, the bay met with a minor setback earlier this season and did not reappear until the May 23 Gallinule S. (Ire-G3). Jan Vermeer could not have been more impressive in his return, where he mocked his foes by striding clear on a tight rein, with Johnny Murtagh doing a double over-the-shoulder take. Originally under consideration for Sunday's Prix Du Jockey Club (French Derby) (Fr-G1), Jan Vermeer was rerouted to Epsom in the wake of the Gallinule, and the downfall of St Nicholas Abbey. Interestingly, Midas Touch has always had Epsom as his main aim, suggesting that he's got a serious chance of upsetting his stablemate. It's true that Jan Vermeer has beaten him twice, but neither may be a true bill. A debuting Midas Touch finished third to a once-raced Jan Vermeer in a Gowran Park maiden last September, and Jan Vermeer's prior experience may have been decisive. Midas Touch went on to slam Curragh maidens next out, and Murtagh preferred him to Jan Vermeer in the Criterium International. The very soft going at Saint-Cloud may have compromised Midas Touch, while Jan Vermeer relished it and sprang a 10-1 upset beneath Colm O'Donoghue. Murtagh has chosen Jan Vermeer at Epsom, no doubt because of the formbook, but Midas Touch could make him regret that. In his only start this season, Midas Touch rallied from well back to capture the May 9 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial (Ire-G2) going away in a fast time. Granted, it was only a four-horse field, and if Jan Vermeer hadn't lost training time, he may well have been pointed to this race himself. Still, O'Brien has a clear pattern of running his prime Epsom hopes here, if not in the Guineas, and the very fact that Midas Touch won this trial is significant. Ironically, two of the prime threats to Ballydoyle's Epsom hopes are Juddmonte colts who are closely related to past Ballydoyle stars. The Henry Cecil-trained BULLET TRAIN (Sadler's Wells) is a three-quarter brother to Powerscourt (GB), while the Sir Michael Stoute-trained WORKFORCE (King's Best) is out of a full sister to Brian Boru (GB). Bullet Train was a handy winner of the May 8 Derby Trial (Eng-G3) at Lingfield, proving that he can handle an undulating left-handed course with a precipitous climb and descent. On the debit side, he would probably have been pushed harder had O'Brien's Captain James Cook not suffered a fatal breakdown turning for home. Captain James Cook was moving well in tandem with Bullet Train when he went wrong. Bullet Train in all likelihood would still have won, but considering that Captain James Cook, a Dundalk maiden winner, was presumably not in Ballydoyle's top rank, it would have given us a better read on the form if he had been able to finish. Workforce first turned heads with a devastating debut maiden score at Goodwood last September, the same meeting at which Stoute's 2004 Derby winner, North Light (Ire), broke his maiden. The big, leggy colt was not seen again until the May 13 Dante S. (Eng-G2) at York, where his inexperience was plainly evident en route to his runner-up effort. As a long-term prospect, Workforce commands great respect, but he must overcome a daunting historical hurdle at Epsom: no horse beaten in the Dante has rebounded to take the Derby. Godolphin's REWILDING (Tiger Hill), a half-brother to multiple Group 1 queen and English highweight Dar Re Mi (GB) (Singspiel [Ire]), and BUZZWORD (Pivotal) have both been supplemented to the Derby, but the former has a lot more appeal. In his debut for the up-and-coming Mahmood al Zarooni, Rewilding ran away with the May 19 Cocked Hat S. at Goodwood. Two starts back for Fabre in France, the bay was a terrific second in the April 11 Prix Noailles (Fr-G2). Stable jockey Frankie Dettori has opted to stick with Rewilding at Epsom. In a fascinating twist, Kieren Fallon has picked up the mount on Godolphin's AL ZIR (Medaglia d'Oro). Third in the Racing Post Trophy in his juvenile finale, the Saeed bin Suroor charge was a better-than-appears ninth to Makfi in the Guineas at Newmarket. Al Zir definitely has class, but the half-brother to Forego H. (G1) winner Midas Eyes (Touch Gold) is not an automatic to stay the trip. O'Brien's unbeaten CAPE BLANCO (Galileo [Ire]), who crushed Workforce in the Dante, is headed to Sunday's French Derby, and the decision is perfectly sensible. For starters, O'Brien simply does not run his elite Epsom candidates in the Dante, and the fact that Cape Blanco turned up in that spot was revealing. Moreover, the maternal half of his pedigree does not offer much encouragement that he would stay 1 1/2 miles at Epsom. The 1 5/16-mile French Derby, on the other hand, figures to suit him much better. Cape Blanco traveled like a dream throughout the Dante, and looked all over the winner early in the straight. In the midst of his impressive victory, he aggravated a slight heel injury and was lame afterward, but reportedly improved the next day. He will be joined in the gate Sunday by his stablemate VISCOUNT NELSON (Giant's Causeway), a one-paced third behind Canford Cliffs in the Irish Guineas. Another notable invader for the French Derby is ELUSIVE PIMPERNEL (Elusive Quality) from the John Dunlop yard. Runner-up to St Nicholas Abbey on unsuitably yielding ground in the Racing Post Trophy, he spreadeagled the field in the April 15 Craven S. (Eng-G3) at Newmarket before checking in a staying-on fifth from well off the pace in the Guineas. Elusive Pimpernel is yet another who was compromised by the lack of early pace in the Guineas, and judging by how he powered up the rising ground, the step up in trip should be just what he wants. The raiders will have to be at their best to handle a tough French team, and all of the runners will have to deal with the chaos of an anticipated 25-horse field. In addition to Poulains victor Lope de Vega, the home defense includes PLANTEUR (Danehill Dancer), who exuded class when beating Rewilding in the Noailles; Juddmonte's ICE BLUE (Dansili [GB]), most recently successful in the Prix Greffulhe (Fr-G2); undefeated Prix Hocquart (Fr-G2) victor SILVER POND (Act One); the Aga Khan's BEHKABAD (Cape Cross [Ire]), winner of the Prix de Guiche (Fr-G3) last out; and Godolphin's SIMON DE MONTFORT (King's Best), who captured the Prix La Force (Fr-G3) in his latest venture. If the colts' picture is not entirely clear, the fillies' picture is verging on opaque. All three Guineas served up photo-finishes, and the Oaks trials aren't open-and-shut either. Juddmonte's SPECIAL DUTY (Hennessy) was remarkably awarded victories via disqualification in both the May 2 One Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1) at Newmarket and the May 16 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French One Thousand Guineas) (Fr-G1). The stewards made the right decision to demote the first-past-the-post in each case, but the results as amended were still less than satisfactory. At Newmarket, Special Duty burst through to challenge the improbable JACQUELINE QUEST (Rock of Gibraltar [Ire]), who was rightly sent off at 66-1 after being well beaten in her two previous stakes attempts. Jacqueline Quest fought back with all her heart, and with Tom Queally going to the left-handed whip, she hung across the course, bumping and then carrying Special Duty out right along with her. She might possibly have gotten away with either the bumping or the carrying of Special Duty, but Jacqueline Quest could not get away with both infractions. Despite her tremendous effort to cling to victory by a nose, she deserved to be disqualified. Special Duty was the moral winner, to fall just short after such interference. Having said that, though, the Criquette Head-Maarek filly did not stamp her authority unequivocally, as in the Cheveley Park S. (Eng-G1) at Newmarket last year, and the jury's out over whether she's as effective at a mile. In fact, the jury's out in some respect about the entire value of the race, which was affected by a pronounced course bias in favor of fillies on the stands' side, and against those flailing away down the center. Special Duty's quick reappearance in the French equivalent at Longchamp didn't answer the question, for she again failed to impose her presence when a close second in a blanket finish. The unofficial winner LILISIDE (American Post) barged her way through off the fence and caused plenty of collateral damage. Taking the starch out of FULL STEAM (Oasis Dream [GB]), who in turn came over on the Aga Khan's ROSANARA (Sinndar), Liliside forged to the front. A second incident occurred in deep stretch, when Liliside was judged to have tightened up LADY OF THE DESERT (Rahy) to her inside. She was clearly guilty of the first transgression, but her culpability in the second is questionable. Meanwhile, Special Duty was gaining on Liliside, and came within a head of her on the line. The top six finishers were all in a heap, with Rosanara and Lady of the Desert arguably the most hampered of that bunch. Special Duty crossed the wire second, and was properly promoted, but was she really the best filly in the race? Rosanara should rebound in the June 13 Prix de Diane (French Oaks) (Fr-G1), especially if fellow Aga Khan homebred SARAFINA (Refuse to Bend [Ire]) skips the race. Sarafina just landed the May 23 Prix Saint-Alary (Fr-G1) under no more than a hand ride. Now two-for-two, the Alain de Royer-Dupre filly is a star on the rise. Although the May 23 Irish One Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1) at the Curragh was not nearly as messy as the French, it produced another blanket finish. BETHRAH (Marju) dove to the inside late in the game and flew to catch Godolphin's ANNA SALAI (Dubawi) by a head. Anna Salai, formerly based in France but now with al Zarooni's division, kept runner-up honors by a neck from a rallying MUSIC SHOW (Noverre), who was just in front of O'Brien's pair of REMEMBER WHEN (Danehill Dancer) and LILLIE LANGTRY (Ire) (Danehill Dancer). Music Show thereby improved off her sixth-place finish in the One Thousand Guineas at Newmarket, where she fared best of the group on the unfavorable part of the course. Several of these fillies could renew rivalry in the June 18 Coronation S. (Eng-G1) over a mile at Royal Ascot. Bethrah is a lightly-raced improver whom trainer Dermot Weld intends to stretch out at some point, so it remains to be seen whether she'd confirm the form at a mile. Anna Salai, who had beaten Rosanara in the April 25 Prix de la Grotte (Fr-G3) in her final start for Fabre, comes from a stout family and may profit from a step up in trip already. Music Show is a natural candidate for the Coronation, as is Lillie Langtry, who turned in an excellent effort in her first start back from surgery. The O'Brien filly had not raced since she sustained a knee fracture in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, and she might well be the one to turn the tables in the Coronation. Remember When will tackle 1 1/2 miles in Friday's Oaks (Eng-G1) at Epsom, and she is quite capable of kicking off a classic double for Ballydoyle. A three-quarter sister to European Horse of the Year Dylan Thomas (Ire), who came home an agonizingly close third in the 2006 Derby, the robust chestnut has a profile vaguely reminiscent of Peeping Fawn, who just missed in the 2007 Oaks and went on to win four straight Group 1 contests. Remember When is a thrice-raced maiden, but she finished a creditable third versus older distaffers in the May 2 Victor McCalmont Memorial S. in her reappearance, and ran a monstrous race when fourth, beaten all of a half-length, in the Irish Guineas. Peeping Fawn, by comparison, took four tries to break her maiden, then finished third in the Irish Guineas, before her gallant run at Epsom. RUMOUSH (Rahy), a half-sister to last year's English One Thousand Guineas and Coronation heroine Ghanaati (Giant's Causeway), was last seen finishing just behind Music Show on the "wrong" side at Newmarket. The Sheikh Hamdan filly was not originally intended for the Guineas, but after beating males, and the well-regarded filly TIMEPIECE (Zamindar), in the nine-furlong Feilden S. on April 14, Rumoush was given her chance over the shorter trip. In the circumstances, she performed well enough, and the Oaks was always her principal target. Timepiece has not managed to live up to her reputation so far this season, and when she was upset in the May 8 Oaks Trial at Lingfield, she did not look entirely comfortable descending the hill. That doesn't bode well for how she will handle Epsom. Hence she has been eclipsed in the Oaks market by fellow Juddmonte colorbearer, and Cecil trainee, AVIATE (Dansili [GB]), who remained unbeaten with an eye-catching charge through traffic in the May 12 Musidora S. (Eng-G3) at York. Not surprisingly, stable jockey Queally has sided with Aviate too. Still, the Musidora form isn't unimpeachable, so it wouldn't be a shock if Aviate were overturned at Epsom. The John Gosden-trained GERTRUDE BELL (Sinndar) overcame a less-than-favorable pace scenario to capture the May 5 Cheshire Oaks, AKDARENA (Hernando [Fr]) pummeled older rivals in the May 12 Blue Wind S. (Ire-G3), and smashing maiden winners MEEZNAH (Dynaformer) and SAJJHAA (King's Best) are legitimate dark horses. Before the fillies line up in the Oaks, a couple of 2009 classic winners will clash in the Coronation Cup (Eng-G1) -- Irish Derby (Ire-G1) hero FAME AND GLORY (Montjeu [Ire]), who was runner-up to Sea the Stars in the 2009 Derby, and 2009 Oaks queen SARISKA (Pivotal). Both are coming off smooth victories. After being upset first time out this season, Fame and Glory has bounced back with a pair of dominating scores, including a seven-length demolition job in the May 23 Tattersalls Gold Cup (Ire-G1) at the Curragh. Sariska will be making her second start of the campaign, having captured the May 13 Middleton S. (Eng-G2) at York in front-running fashion over Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) winner MIDDAY (GB) (Oasis Dream [GB]). As a card-carrying Fame and Glory fan, I'll naturally be rooting for him, but with healthy respect for Sariska. The veteran YOUMZAIN (Sinndar) has finished second in the Coronation Cup for the past two years, just losing the head-bob in 2009, while CAVALRYMAN (Halling) could move forward off his decent fifth to Dar Re Mi in the March 27 Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G1). Although Midday was unable to open her 2010 with a victory, Eclipse Award winner and two-time Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) star GOLDIKOVA (Ire) (Anabaa) returned to the racing wars with a course-record setting performance in the May 23 Prix d'Ispahan (Fr-G1) at Longchamp. The Freddie Head mare didn't accomplish the feat the easy way, either. Stalking a ferocious early pace set by the rabbits, she struck the front when the leaders collapsed early in the straight, perhaps sooner than regular rider Olivier Peslier would have wanted. As a result, Goldikova was committed about a quarter-mile out -- in a race rather longer than her pet distance of one mile. The Prix d'Ispahan is contested over 1,850 meters, or nine furlongs and 55 yards, but the added ground was no concern to Goldikova. With the Juddmonte-owned, and Fabre-trained, BYWORD (Peintre Celebre) in steady pursuit, Goldikova kept on to score a shady cozily by a half-length. In the process, she obliterated the course mark by completing the distance in 1:49 2/5. Byword, a half-brother to Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (G1) winner and Just a Game (G1) favorite Proviso (GB) (Dansili [GB]), deserves an assist for pushing Goldikova into the record. The rest of the quality field was well strung out, reinforcing what a sublime effort this was. Goldikova will now aim for the June 15 Queen Anne S. (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot, and a showdown with defending champion PACO BOY (Desert Style). A five-year-old stablemate of Canford Cliffs, Paco Boy has likewise been cast unfairly in the role of not-quite-a-true-miler. His victories in the 2009 Queen Anne and Sandown Mile (Eng-G2) should have scuttled such contentions. This season, he has won both of his outings in grand style for Hannon, demonstrating that he has blossomed as an older horse. Not only did he easily defend his title in the April 24 Sandown Mile, but he toyed with his rivals in the May 15 Lockinge S. (Eng-G1) at Newbury. Indeed, Paco Boy was ridden with such confidence, that for a second or two, I thought that Hughes might have overplayed his hand when OUQBA (Red Ransom) stole a march on him. But Paco Boy merely took off, with a blinding turn of foot, to reel in Ouqba in short order. Adding still further intrigue to the Queen Anne, the one-mile test could mark the return of RIP VAN WINKLE (Ire) (Galileo [Ire]), last seen finishing a remote 10th to Zenyatta (Street Cry [Ire]) in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). The O'Brien pupil is the last horse to have defeated Paco Boy, in the Sussex S. (Eng-G1) at Goodwood last summer. Our next edition will recap the action from Epsom, Chantilly and Royal Ascot, and look ahead to the July 3 Eclipse S. (Eng-G1) at Sandown.
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