They say no one remembers second place. Oaks (G1) and Derby (G1) last year belong to Tuesday And Desert Crown whose names are forever etched in history books as classic victors rather than Emily Upjohn And Westover . The coronation trophy is not a classic, but what it does offer is the chance to redeem Group 1 via the track and the June 2 trip for two less fortunate stories from those races.
In the case of Emily Upjohn, her misfortunes are evident because she is a moral Oaks winner. She tripped as she left the gate and lost about four stages at the start. It’s her credit, she’s appeared for a brief second before a filth who, benefiting from a dream of inner division, has raced most widely to make up the ground.
Third (in) beat Emily Upjohn in the 2022 Oaks at Epsom
While Westover won a bronze medal at the Derby, and may have struggled to beat the first-place pony Desert Crown in any case, he has placed second in worst performance. Traffic problems continuously deprived him of a clear running track until the bird had flown away.
That wasn’t the only connection between Emily Upjohn and Westover. The pair came in at first and second favorites for King George (G1) at Ascot, respectively, seven weeks after the two pulled too hard.
Freedom is Emily Upjohn’s natural concern after 230 days of rest and racing in a small field. Something interesting for Westover supporters is the fact that he had a run, and an excellent run, in the Sheema Classic (G1), even though it was 69 days ago.
What did Westover prove when he finished second after the Japanese superstar feces The leading candidate for the best middle distance horse on the planet, is because he still retains every part of his ability when he is only 3 years old.
storm alley Underperformed in two starts in 4th place and first in 5th place, but he came back with the same record as his 3-year-old best in Jockey Club Staking (G2) at Newmarket last month. The increase in luck may have been due to the addition of cheek patches and re-attached appendages for the first time.
Like Emily Upjohn and Westover, Hurricane Lane has generally stabilized. That doesn’t stop him from running, as tactics are always ready for reevaluation, as Ryan Moore demonstrated by placing patterned fractions on board. Luc-Tattoo during the Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1) last weekend. This decision paid off as he managed to narrowly achieve success from Bay Bridge and it’s likely that Moore chose to take control of celebrity racer issues Lonsdale Point This.
Arguably, Aidan O’Brien’s outstanding training achievement of the year took place last weekend with Little Bear returns from an absence from Two Thousand Guineas (G1) to reassert himself as the top sprinter at Sandy Lane. If O’Brien can knock Group 1 out of Point Lonsdale in a competitive Cup, that achievement could be eclipsed.
This talented brother broom missed his 3-year campaign and scored a few successes this term, followed by a lazy race to win the majority of Huxley Stakes (G2) at Chester. He seems to hold back a bit to himself, but the 1 1/2 mile promises more mining from Point Lonsdale, as it did for Broome.
Westover Back for more at Epsom
Step back in time 12 months ago and Westover was the name everyone mentioned in the Derby match, in which he finished third behind the Desert Crown after an unlucky run.
Since then, he has established himself as a top dark horse by winning the Irish Derby (G1) and finishing second behind the Equinox. Frankel’s son was bred by owner Juddmonte and coached by Ralph Beckett, who said: “He’s been in very good form. He’s worked well on the pitch over the weekend by more than six feathers. and we are all very pleased with him and with where we are.
“The Cup is always people’s first choice because he handled Epsom so well last year. I think it was a great tournament in Dubai, especially since he had a lot of preparation. It was tough. He was unstable there for the first few days and things only started to get in the way of the race, but he ran brilliantly.”
Adjusting the chances of German runner-up
Don’t underestimate the Germans in the big one and a half mile races even if their odds suggest otherwise. Torquator Tasso (72-1) and danedream (20-1) taught us that in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1), while the latter also caught King George 9-1—a race in which fellow Novellist ( IRE) also won not long ago.
Danedream’s coach, Peter Schiergen, also won the Trophy with northern in 2002 and this time represented by tunnel Torquator Tasso’s half-brother.
