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INTERNATIONAL DIARY JUNE 3, 2008 by Kellie Reilly Prince Henry of Portugal (1394-1460), loosely dubbed "the Navigator" for promoting the seaborne exploration that led to his country's empire, took as his motto, Talant de bien faire, "the desire to do well." The exceptional colt who now bears his name, HENRYTHENAVIGATOR (Kingmambo), has apparently adopted the same code. By capturing a pair of mile classics to open his campaign, the Aidan O'Brien sophomore has proclaimed himself as a superior performer at the distance, and the older milers on the European scene should be quaking in their boots. In hindsight, it seems remarkable that Henrythenavigator should have been ignored at 11-1 in the Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1) at Newmarket on May 3. The exquisitely bred dark bay captured the Coventry S. (Eng-G2) at Royal Ascot last year, and he was compromised by the rain-softened ground when placing in the Phoenix S. (Ire-G1) and Futurity S. (Ire-G2) in his final juvenile outings. Making his seasonal debut in the English Guineas, "Henry" would have figured to run much better on good ground. As logical as that now looks, however, it took a bit of imaginative speculation to make such an assertion before the race. Rumor had it that Henry had not even been tabbed as Coolmore's leading Guineas hope this spring. That distinction went to Jupiter Pluvius (Johannesburg), who wound up missing the race. Even more significant, Henry's Futurity conqueror, the undefeated champion NEW APPROACH (Galileo [Ire]), was reportedly firing on all cylinders in advance of his sophomore bow in the Guineas. As a confirmed fan of the powerfully built chestnut from the very beginning, I was looking forward to his tilt at classic glory, and believed that he'd justify his status as the 11-8 favorite. Although New Approach's ideal distance will likely be well beyond a mile, I thought that his raw ability would see him through. For nearly seven furlongs, I was cautiously optimistic as New Approach dictated the pace, ratcheted up the tempo and galloped with an air of dominating authority. Meanwhile, Henry was the only rival who was still traveling well, ominously maneuvering between horses to advance from well back. Henry closed in on New Approach, drew along his starboard flank, and unleashed a broadside of pure speed to overtake him. To his credit, New Approach did not surrender. If Henry's move resembled an artillery blast, New Approach's counter-move was more akin to grappling and boarding the enemy ship, turning the tussle into hand-to-hand combat. By calling upon his reserves of stamina, New Approach managed to regain a few inches as they approached the wire. Henry had no more volleys left, but he stuck his neck out as well, and just held on by the slimmest of noses. Both performed heroically, pulling four lengths clear of Stubbs Art (Hawk Wing) in third, and left no doubt that this 200th running of the Guineas was one of unimpeachable quality. With such a miniscule margin separating them at Newmarket, the two promised to serve up another thrilling clash in the May 24 Irish Two Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1) at the Curragh. I was more than a little disgruntled by trainer Jim Bolger's decision to run New Approach here, ostensibly instead of the more logical progression to the Epsom Derby (Eng-G1) at about 1 1/2 miles (Bolger has since flip-flopped and entered him in the Derby after all). Still, I took solace in the fact that the more demanding contours of the Curragh might just help New Approach to turn the tables on Henry. On the other hand, given the propensity for O'Brien's runners to improve markedly in their second start of the year, Henry was eligible to take a gigantic step forward, nullifying whatever advantage New Approach may have had at this course. As it turned out, Henry improved, New Approach did not put his best foot forward, and the Irish Guineas became a one-horse race. When New Approach went straight for the early lead, I expected him to use his stamina as a strong suit, to set a demanding pace, open up, dare Henry to reel him in on the rising ground at the end of a searching test. Instead, not only was New Approach gingerly hanging about in front, but he also had his head cocked, and he did not exude the same confident appearance as he had at Newmarket. His rider, Kevin Manning, later said he knew early on that New Approach was ill at ease on the firm ground. The handwriting was on the wall a very long way out, as Henry was just cruising in behind, awaiting the signal to strike. When the whip came out on New Approach to encourage him to turn back Stubbs Art, the game was up. Henry angled out, exploded past the toiling pacesetter and won by 1 3/4 lengths, well in hand. For the record, Stubbs Art was again third, and Jupiter Pluvius was a distant fourth in his belated sophomore debut. It was a superlative effort from Henry, and at this stage, the June 17 St. James's Palace S. (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot is his for the taking. I strongly suspect that later on, when Henry takes on the older brigade in Europe, his acceleration will simply be too dazzling for them to contain. It would be premature to hail him as the next Rock of Gibraltar (Ire), who swept all the premier mile contests of 2002 before his frustrating loss in the Breeders' Cup, but Henry has that kind of panache. My dream for this year's Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) at Oak Tree would be a duel between Henry and Hong Kong phenom GOOD BA BA (Lear Fan). (Plans for Good Ba Ba, who is nominated to the Breeders' Cup, may become clearer after his assault on Sunday's Yasuda Kinen [Jpn-G1].) In contrast, FALCO (Pivotal), who upset the May 11 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas) (Fr-G1) at odds of more than 20-1, will have something to prove when he lines up in the St. James's Palace. The Wertheimer homebred almost didn't take part in the Poulains, with an alternative Group 3 engagement reportedly penciled in, and he benefited from an ideal trip in a roughly run race. Falco was visually impressive when rolling past the pacesetters and streaking three lengths clear, but runner-up RIO DE LA PLATA (Rahy), and especially third-placer RIVER PROUD (Proud Citizen), were disadvantaged by their respective post positions. Rio de la Plata was a bit one-paced, indicative of a horse who wants to go farther than a mile, while River Proud made eye-catching progress after breaking from post 20 and still loping in last at the top of the stretch. With a different set of circumstances, River Proud may well have given Falco a hard time. The real star of the French three-year-old set is the Aga Khan's undefeated filly ZARKAVA (Zamindar), who nonchalantly set a new stakes record when cantering to a two-length score in the May 11 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French One Thousand Guineas) (Fr-G1). Her time of 1:35 1/5 was also two-fifths faster than Falco's winning time, posted just about a half-hour or so before. The Alain de Royer-Dupre trainee took a few strides to hit top gear in the stretch, but when she did, there could be only one result. As the final furlong became a mere formality, jockey Christophe Soumillon wiled away the time by patting Zarkava lovingly on the neck. GOLDIKOVA (Anabaa) won the battle for best-of-the-rest, despite taking a nosedive at the start. Zarkava was still full of energy after the race -- tossing her head, pulling, tugging, spoiling for a fight -- so much so that one would have thought she was going down to the post, not heading back from a classic victory. Last year's French highweight juvenile filly, Zarkava will now step up in trip for the 10 1/2-furlong Prix de Diane (French Oaks) (Fr-G1) on Sunday. Zarkava's supremacy has been reinforced in two different ways. The more straightforward of these was the result of the May 25 Irish One Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1), when HALFWAY TO HEAVEN (Pivotal), a creditable but still well-beaten third in the Pouliches, came back to win in a tight finish at the Curragh. Another O'Brien pupil, Halfway to Heaven showed her typical pluck to stay on resolutely by a head from TUSCAN EVENING (Oasis Dream [GB]), who was subsequently demoted to fourth for causing interference. The Dermot Weld-trained MAD ABOUT YOU (Indian Ridge), who made a bold bid in the stretch before flattening out slightly in her seasonal reappearance, was elevated to second. The less straightforward endorsement of Zarkava involves the other top-class French filly, NATAGORA (Divine Light), who invaded Newmarket to plunder the May 4 One Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1). Under a heady ride by Christophe Lemaire, the gray angled over to the stands' side rail, took control fairly early on, and kept finding more to register a half-length victory over the strongly finishing SPACIOUS (Nayef). As admirable as Natagora's performance was, it should be noted that the first half of the field was pretty tightly bunched. In addition, NAHOODH (Clodovil), who was pinched back when full of run in deep stretch, had a bona fide hard luck story en route to her close fifth-place finish. Unfortunately for Natagora's profile, neither third-placer SAOIRSE ABU (Mr. Greeley) nor Nahoodh was able to land a blow in the subsequent Irish Guineas, which tends to support the idea that Zarkava stands head and shoulders above Natagora. It may also be taken as a compliment to Zarkava that Natagora preferred to tackle colts in this past Sunday's Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) (Fr-G1), rather than facing her in the French Oaks. In any event, the stretch-out to 10 1/2 furlongs was a sporting move on the part of owner Stefan Friborg and trainer Pascal Bary, given that they could have played it safe and kept Natagora at a mile or less. Although she did not win, Natagora did them proud by running her heart out for third, beaten about 1 3/4 lengths by VISION D'ETAT (Chichicastenango). The French Derby result further scrambled the colts' picture in that republic. Vision d'Etat, a half-brother to a jumper who ran in the Grand National, had never tried group company before and was a mild surprise in this spot. Weld's Irish shipper FAMOUS NAME (Dansili [GB]) fell a head short in second, while several high-profile entrants failed to shine, including a couple exiting Falco's Poulains. Vision d'Etat is now a perfect five-for-five, but it's tempting to think what Zarkava would have done to this group. Before looking ahead to this weekend's classic action at Epsom, we ought to catch up on a few developments among the older horses, which could have European or North American implications down the road. As has become customary, the March 29 Dubai World Cup meeting featured two turf events with outstanding fields, and the South Africans won them both with a pair of highly accomplished performers. In the nearly nine-furlong Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1), JAY PEG (Camden Park) employed his tactical speed to good effect, and despite having his saddle slip with about a furlong or so to go, he stayed on resolutely to deny the Princess Zahra Aga Khan's DARJINA (Zamindar) and a slightly timid, or unlucky, ARCHIPENKO (Kingmambo), who didn't quite have the stomach to barrel through a narrow gap. Jay Peg was officially credited with a new course record of 1:46 1/5, but the mavens at Racing Post have raised their suspicions about several times on World Cup night. The Duty Free has been a key race so far this season. Jay Peg went on to capture the May 18 Singapore Airlines International Cup (Mal-G1) in tremendous style. The improving Archipenko reappeared in the April 27 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (HK-G1) and drove to a 1 3/4-length victory for trainer Mike de Kock. The Duty Free eighth-placer, Godolphin's CREACHADOIR (King's Best), returned to Europe and landed the May 17 Lockinge S. (Eng-G1) at Newbury. The World Cup meeting's other turf highlight, the about 1 1/2-mile Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G1), has not exerted as immediate an impact on the scene, but it too may prove to be a key event as the season unfolds. The de Kock-trained mare SUN CLASSIQUE (Fuji Kiseki) got first run on Hong Kong's VIVA PATACA (Marju) and strode to an emphatic 2 3/4-length victory in her first attempt at this trip, with French-based globetrotter DOCTOR DINO (Fr) (Muhtathir [GB]) third. Like her stablemate Archipenko, Sun Classique is preparing for a summer campaign in Europe. Doctor Dino, whom American fans will remember from his forays here last year, just claimed this past Sunday's Grand Prix de Chantilly (Fr-G2) in his first European outing of the season. The Coolmore team did not make an appearance in Dubai, the territory of their Maktoum archrival, instead opting to use the April 27 Prix Ganay (Fr-G1) as the 2008 starting point for DUKE OF MARMALADE (Danehill). Long highly regarded, the royally bred colt fractured a pastern earlier in his career and had surgery to insert screws in his leg. Overcoming that setback, the Duke compiled a solid, albeit winless, record at three while competing exclusively in Group 1 company. O'Brien believes that he was still compromised by residual effects of the surgery at that time. All of that appears to be well and truly behind the four-year-old, as he broke through with his first stakes victory in a deep renewal of the Ganay. Duke of Marmalade promptly followed up in the May 25 Tattersalls Gold Cup (Ire-G1), where he powered home to a decisive 1 1/4-length score. The Duke appears to be on the same trajectory as former stablemate Dylan Thomas (Ire), with the June 18 Prince of Wales's S. (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot looming as the next probable port of call. Just as Coolmore can be relied upon to produce top older horses, so does the formidable Andre Fabre churn out a steady stream of high-class veterans. The latest to emerge from the production line that brought us Shirocco (Ger) and Manduro is GETAWAY (Monsun), another Baron von Ullmann homebred. Formerly campaigned over marathon distances in an effort to get him to settle, Getaway dropped down to 1 1/2 miles for last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1) and finished a highly encouraging fourth. The strapping bay was not seen again until the May 4 Jockey Club S. (Eng-G2) at Newmarket. After striding along effortlessly within striking range, the five-year-old was switched to the outside, simply inhaled the classy SIXTIES ICON (Galileo [Ire]), and stretched clear by 3 3/4 imperious lengths. Getaway is now set for Friday's Coronation Cup (Eng-G1) at Epsom, which will feature a terrific cast, including 2007 Irish Derby (Ire-G1) romper SOLDIER OF FORTUNE (Galileo [Ire]); Arc near-misser YOUMZAIN (Sinndar), who was fifth in the Sheema; and 2006 Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) hero RED ROCKS (Ire) (Galileo [Ire]). Highlighting Friday's card at Epsom is the historic Oaks (Eng-G1). Among the top contenders in the about 1 1/2-mile fillies' classic are LUSH LASHES (Galileo [Ire]), a rattling sixth in the English One Thousand Guineas who demolished a strong field, including CAPE AMBER (Cape Cross [Ire]), in the Musidora S. (G3) last time out; CHINESE WHITE (Dalakhani), who has romped in both of her starts in Ireland; the Aga Khan's KATIYRA (Peintre Celebre); Stonerside Stable's homebred MICHITA (Dynaformer); and a quiverful of O'Brien fillies, led by Cheshire Oaks heroine SAIL (Sadler's Wells) and Blue Wind S. (Ire-G3) winner ADORED (Galileo [Ire]). On Saturday comes the coveted Derby. Once in danger of losing two of its top draws, the classic now boasts the premier staying colts of this generation. Of course, I am buoyed by the inclusion of New Approach, and I cling to the hope that the Irish Guineas did not deplete him, since he did not run up to his best there. The other leading fancy who nearly swerved the Derby is CASUAL CONQUEST (Hernando [Fr]), who triumphed in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial (Ire-G2) in the manner of a high-class animal. The Weld pupil almost missed the Derby because he needed to be supplemented, but thankfully, the fee has been paid, and this promising colt will get his opportunity. CURTAIN CALL (Sadler's Wells), who split New Approach and Henry when runner-up in last year's Futurity, boasts exceptional juvenile form. Transferred to Luca Cumani for his three-year-old campaign, Curtain Call will relish the likely prospect of rain-softened ground at Epsom. Others with strong credentials from last season are the aforementioned Rio de la Plata and River Proud. Sir Michael Stoute will saddle no fewer than three entrants -- TARTAN BEARER (Spectrum), winner of the usually key prep, the Dante S. (Eng-G2); TAJAAWEED (Dynaformer), a big colt who handled the tight, left-handed circuit of Chester well when taking the Dee S. (Eng-G3); and Juddmonte's DOCTOR FREMANTLE (Sadler's Wells), who was supplemented to the Derby after his score in the Chester Vase (Eng-G3). Henry Cecil will send out KANDAHAR RUN (Rock of Gibraltar [Ire]), a listed stakes winner who is clearly on the upgrade at present. O'Brien will be represented by several hopefuls. According to the early season whispers, WASHINGTON IRVING (Montjeu [Ire]) was supposed to be the stable's primary Derby candidate, but he was thrashed by Casual Conquest most recently. ALESSANDRO VOLTA (Montjeu [Ire]) is coming off a score in the Derby Trial S. (Eng-G3) at Lingfield, but his name notwithstanding, he did not exactly electrify as he held off his stablemate KING OF ROME (Montjeu [Ire]). The best of the O'Brien team is probably FROZEN FIRE (Montjeu [Ire]), who just missed to Tartan Bearer in the Dante. Jockey Johnny Murtagh abruptly altered course that day, angling Frozen Fire across the track to run eyeball-to-eyeball with Tartan Bearer, and that loss of forward momentum may have made the difference. More tantalizingly, the Dante was his first outing of the season, and if the pattern holds, Frozen Fire should be peaking for the Derby and looms as a worthy dark horse. In our next issue, we'll recap the action from Epsom, Royal Ascot, and the Eclipse S. (Eng-G1) at Sandown.
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