Timeform View: 21:28 Turf Mile

Timeform Race Comments / Timeform / 06 November 2009 / Leave a Comment

Plenty has been made of Goldikova's draw but you only have to go back to 2003 and another French filly in Six Perfections who defied a similarly wide draw and with Goldikova 9 lb superior to her she can make it back-to-back wins. There's little separating her nearest rivals in Delegator and Zacinto, but the latter may have more improvement in him and can edge out Frankie Dettori's mount for the second successive start.

Court Vision :Returned from a break with a bang for new connections with success in the Grade 1 Turf Mile on soft ground at Keeneland last month, just getting up late from Karelian having been ridden more prominently than usual (favourite Justenuffhumor very disappointing in sixth). Bit more to do here in a tougher race and likely to need a fair few of the principals to underperform if he's to get among the money.

Whatsthescript: Usually gives his running up to 9f but held by Cowboy Cal on their meeting here last month and little reason to think he'll reverse the form.

Cowboy Cal : Exuberant front runner who has won 3 times in Grade 2-company at Santa Anita this year. Likely to have Gladiatorus for company at the head of affairs here, but his course-form will count for plenty and he may still be thereabouts at the business-end.

Delegator : High-class performer who has proven his worth time and again, beating Zacinto in Celebration Mile at Goodwood before undone by strong pace and stiff track when that one reversed the form in the QEII at Ascot. Likely to get an ideal test here, though still 7 lb off Goldikova at his best, while Zacinto may be open to sufficient improvement to confirm Ascot placings.

Karelian : Lightly raced these days and went down by a nose to Court Vision at Keeneland last time having dictated a slow pace. Fair chance he'll prove to be flattered by that run, though, and doesn't appeal as a likely type to be involved in the finish.

Courageous Cat: Front runner who stays 9f, and should help ensure a proper test while not being good enough.

Ferneley: Has poor wins to runs ratio, and though he's likely to give his running, it would be no surprise if he's chasing more home than he beats.

Zacinto: Very much the dark horse on just his sixth start having improved markedly this year, beaten just a length and a half by the more-experienced Delegator at Goodwood, but turning the tables on that one when finding just Classic favourite Rip Van Winkle too good in the QEII at Ascot. May have even more to offer for trainer who has good record with his raiders at this meeting.

Gladiatorus : Had been disappointing following his top-class display in the Dubai Duty Free in March, but showed signs of a return to his best when scoring in an admittedly weak Group 1 in Italy last month. He now needs to build on that in a race which is not only much tougher, but also contains several others who like to dictate the pace.

Justenuffhumor: Has won 6 of his 8 starts between 1m and 9f, including a couple of Grade 2s in August, but needs to bounce back from a poor run in the Turf Mile at Keeneland last time when having Court Vision and Karelian a fair way in front of him. Should at least appreciate the faster conditions here.

Goldikova: One of the best fillies of recent times, winning 6 of her last 8 starts, all in Group 1s. Last month's defeat at Longchamp easily excused, not least as it came a track she clearly doesn't like, that her fourth loss in five outings there, and despite her 'coffin' draw out-wide, a second successive win in this race looks on the cards.