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INTERNATIONAL DIARY AUGUST 29, 2006 by Kellie Reilly Within the last month, we've had the pleasure of witnessing two thrilling Group 1 battles that will go down through the ages, starring OUIJA BOARD (GB) (Cape Cross [Ire]) and HURRICANE RUN (Montjeu [Ire]), respectively, but there's also been plenty of other significant, if less riveting, action to cover. To start with the crescendo, Ouija Board and ALEXANDER GOLDRUN (Gold Away [Ire]) staged an epic duel for the last quarter-mile of the Nassau S. (Eng-G1) at Goodwood on August 5. These two amazons have a few things in common -- ability of the highest order, a hardy constitution that thrives on worldwide campaigns, and the mental and physical toughness required to defeat world-class males at the Group 1 level. The Nassau shaped up as a virtual match race between them, and so it proved for the entire length of the stretch, with a gripping seesaw battle unfolding. First Ouija Board, racing on the inside, held the advantage, but Alexander Goldrun's potent kick carried her alongside and thrust her head in front. Ouija Board responded with a riposte of her own to regain a narrow lead, only to have Alexander fight back and secure a slight but perceptible margin in her favor. As the wire approached, Alexander looked to have defended her title in the 10-furlong affair, but Ouija Board conjured up one last surge to deny her rival on the line. Both mares covered themselves in glory, but what made Ouija Board's effort particularly amazing was that she was forced to adopt different tactics. Frankie Dettori positioned her much closer to the pace than she's comfortable with, which made sense since the tempo was expected to be slow. As a result, she inherited the lead much earlier than usual and had to grind it out in a war of attrition, rather than swooping to conquer late from off the pace as is her wont. The two redoubtable mares could face off again in the September 9 Irish Champion S. (Ire-G1) at Leopardstown. Also expected in the Irish Champion is Aidan O'Brien's runaway Irish Derby (Ire-G1) hero DYLAN THOMAS (Danehill), who flopped when trying older horses for the first time in the August 22 Juddmonte International S. (Eng-G1) at York. His older foes weren't his biggest problem, as he really beat himself by pulling hard in the early stages of the 10-furlong contest and possibly failing to handle the soft ground. Whichever excuse one chooses, the fact remains that Dylan Thomas is capable of considerably more than he showed that day when fourth behind the Sir Michael Stoute-trained duo of NOTNOWCATO (Inchinor [GB]) and MARAAHEL (Alzao). The photo-finish camera had to separate the pair, with Maraahel once again just missing at the Group 1 level. Notnowcato will probably set his sights on the October 14 Champion S. (Eng-G1) at Newmarket. Conspicuous by his absence from the Juddmonte International was DAVID JUNIOR (Pleasant Tap). Indeed, his shadow hovered over the outcome, as Notnowcato had finished second to David Junior in the Coral-Eclipse S. (Eng-G1) last time out, and Eclipse third BLUE MONDAY (Darshaan) returned to fill that same spot at York. David Junior had long been targeting the Juddmonte International, so it was a major surprise that the Brian Meehan charge ending up skipping it. His connections reportedly said that they wanted a fresh horse for their ultimate objective, the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), and would just train the chestnut up to that daunting dirt debut. All of that sounds nice, but they had mapped out his campaign some time ago, and it defies reason to suppose that they only now discovered the virtues of rest. This change of plans smacks of a setback to me, but regardless of what may or may not have happened in the interim, thankfully Meehan says that David Junior is well and cantering at present. Let's hope that David Junior can be at his best by November 4. Europe's other formidable Breeders' Cup Classic hopeful, ELECTROCUTIONIST (Red Ransom), was one of the combatants in the historic war that was the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond S. (Eng-G1), fought at Ascot on July 29. Like many wars, it featured invaders, blockades, and that intangible factor of luck before the deadliest ammunition was fired. The invaders were the reigning European Horse of the Year, French-based Hurricane Run, and Japanese star HEART'S CRY (Sunday Silence). The blockade was effected when Electrocutionist formed part of the flotilla keeping Hurricane Run bottled up along the rail. While Hurricane Run was giving a fine impression of coming up empty just as the serious running started, Heart's Cry launched a bold bid on the outside to grapple with Electrocutionist. As it happened, though, Hurricane Run's floundering was no more than a Gallic feint, and as soon as he was fortunate enough to find a gap on the inside, the French phenom opened fire, and the race was over. In a supreme display of acceleration, especially at the very end of a 12-furlong event, Hurricane Run bolted past Electrocutionist and Heart's Cry as if they were ordinary Group 3 animals. According to the Godolphin website, Electrocutionist's "old splint injury" flared up in the King George, forcing him out of the Irish Champion in September. He will now be diverted to the Champion at Newmarket in October, which is only three weeks from the Breeders' Cup. Hopefully the altered schedule will not compromise his long-term aim for the Classic. Hurricane Run is likely to line up next in the September 10 Prix Foy (Fr-G2) at Longchamp, where he could clash with his Andre Fabre-trained stablemate, Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) hero SHIROCCO (Ger) (Monsun). The Foy is a prep for the October 1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1), which remains on the agenda for once-beaten Japanese superstar DEEP IMPACT (Sunday Silence). The Prix de l'Opera (Fr-G1) on the Arc undercard figures to be the next venue for the brilliant ALEXANDROVA (Sadler's Wells). The O'Brien sophomore racked up her third straight Oaks title with a facile 3 1/2-length success in the August 23 Yorkshire Oaks (Eng-G1). In a terrific turn for racing fans everywhere, her connections are now saying that she's likely to ship for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1), putting her on a collision course with Ouija Board. Shifting focus to the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) set, O'Brien's quirky but gifted GEORGE WASHINGTON (Danehill) made his eagerly anticipated return from torn muscles in Sunday's Celebration Mile (Eng-G2) at Goodwood, but things went maddeningly wrong from the start. Caught napping when the gates opened, the three-year-old spotted the field several lengths, and although he rallied for third, he never had a realistic chance of closing the way the strangely run race developed. Godolphin's CARADAK (Desert Style) landed the spoils, but he's nowhere near the top of their pecking order and is not contemplating a Breeders' Cup bid. George Washington will likely be sharper for the September 23 Queen Elizabeth II S. (Eng-G1), where he will confront a much higher class Godolphin standardbearer in the shape of LIBRETTIST (Danzig). A highly regarded juvenile in 2004 who was sidelined for his entire sophomore year, Librettist is unbeaten in four starts this season, including a gritty win in the August 13 Prix Jacques le Marois (Fr-G1) at Deauville. The QE II is also expected to feature COURT MASTERPIECE (Polish Precedent), a commanding winner of the August 2 Sussex S. (Eng-G1) at Goodwood. As usual, this Ascot showpiece should shed a lot of light on the Breeders' Cup Mile picture. Sunday's Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Fr-G1) could also have implications for the Mile. Notably, it marks the return of Godolphin's talented miler PROCLAMATION (King's Best). The gray colt has had only one outing this year, a rusty-looking third in the Queen Anne S. (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot. Another potential Mile candidate for Godolphin is IFFRAAJ (Zafonic), an impressive victor of the seven-furlong Lennox S. (Eng-G2) on August 1 at Goodwood. His next target is the September 2 Sprint Cup (Eng-G1) at Haydock, and according to his connections, he would then likely step up in trip for the Breeders' Cup Mile. A conflicting signal emerged recently, however, in that Iffraaj has been invited to take part in the October 1 Sprinters S. (Jpn-G1), the next leg of the Global Sprint Challenge. Also on the invitation list is defending champion SILENT WITNESS (El Moxie), the Hong Kong sensation who completely lost his form after contracting a virus last fall. The muscular speedster has reportedly pleased trainer Tony Cruz in a recent trial in company on the all-weather at Sha Tin. Finally, I can't end without mentioning the final English classic of the season, the September 9 St. Leger (Eng-G1), staged at York this year while Doncaster is undergoing renovation. The regally bred SIXTIES ICON (Galileo [Ire]) rates as the ante-post favorite in the grueling contest, run at a distance in excess of 1 3/4 miles. The J. Paul Reddam-owned RED ROCKS (Galileo [Ire]) has wisely been withdrawn from consideration after just failing to stay 1 1/2 miles in his last three races. The Meehan pupil will instead cut back to 1 1/4 miles for the Champion S., setting up a challenging showdown with Electrocutionist and Notnowcato. Epsom Derby (Eng-G1) winner SIR PERCY (Mark of Esteem [Ire]) could also take part, although horseman Marcus Tregoning has mentioned the Arc as an alternative. Looking further ahead, Red Rocks strikes me as the ideal type for the Hollywood Derby (G1), a prize that must surely be on his radar screen. In next month's edition, I'll preview the bonanza of racing scheduled for Arc weekend.
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