Big Race Perspective: Gold Cup

Royal Ascot / Timeform / 19 June 2010 / Leave a Comment

Rite of Passage and Age of Aquarius battle out the finish in the Gold Cup

"A new era for the Ascot Gold Cup, without four-time winner Yeats, but there was little dilution in quality, two newcomers to the staying ranks pulling clear with high-class performances..."

Timeform share their Perspective entries on Royal Ascot's premier staying event...

A new era for the Ascot Gold Cup, without four-time winner Yeats, but there was little dilution in quality, two newcomers to the staying ranks pulling clear with high-class performances, admittedly with a lot of disappointments in behind, a true gallop (set by Akmal) ensuring a gruelling stamina test which most were unable to deal with.

RITE OF PASSAGE developed into one of the top novice hurdlers in the 2009/10 season, third in a Grade 1 at Cheltenham when last seen in March, but he took his form to an altogether higher level returned to the Flat, putting up a high-class performance to win a Group 1 on only his third start in this sphere. Though he is already six years old, he's only lightly raced overall and should remain a force on the Cup scene for a while to come, his fast progress so far meaning that better still can't be ruled out, certainly at this marathon trip, getting to the front in the final furlong having not had such a smooth run through as the runner-up. The Melbourne Cup is a possible target later in the year, though the stable already have ante-post favourite, Profound Beauty, and there are lots of other options before then in any case.

AGE OF AQUARIUS gives connections an immediate replacement for Yeats, proving himself a high-class stayer at his first attempt beyond a mile and three quarters, and not far behind the level his former stablemate was producing at his peak and looking like winning for a long way, travelling best and quickening two lengths up turning in, seeing things out but essentially beaten by a slightly stronger stayer. It may be that around two miles sees Age of Aquarius at his best, the one to beat at Goodwood if heading there next, as Yeats did after two of his wins.

PURPLE MOON has gradually come back to form after his injury problems, close to his very smart best with this Group 1 placing, the extra distance no bother at all, no match for a pair that are high class but pulling away from the rest all the while.

BANNABY has won a Group 1 over this distance already, namely the Prix du Cadran at Longchamp in 2008, but he didn't get home this day after cruising through from the back of the field (touched evens on Betfair) to look a big threat two furlongs out.

ASK is a Group 1 winner at a mile and a half (Coronation Cup), as well as just short of two miles (Royal Oak), but his stamina for this long a trip was in question and he didn't stay, taking a grip and having nothing left in the straight. He's consistent at the top level and will almost certainly bounce back.

KASBAH BLISS has yet to find his form fully this term, though he did shape better than the result indicates, caught wide and within himself to six furlongs out.

KITE WOOD has developed an edgy side, not for the first time getting rather worked up in the preliminaries (sweating/on toes), and it had a negative effect on his performance this time, struggling a long way out.

TASTAHIL has a rather patchy recent record, disappointing either side of his Chester Cup second, though the even greater emphasis on stamina was probably against him, effective at a mile and a half after all.

DARLEY SUN is a thorough stayer, the sort to relish this marathon trip, so there must have been some kind of physical reason for his weakening instead.

MANIFEST showed himself high class when dominating the Yorkshire Cup, form that received a boost courtesy of Purple Moon here, and his potential isn't written off yet, this markedly longer trip simply too far at this stage, and he did travel smoothly for much of the way (too free if anything), eventually eased. He reportedly lost a shoe as well.

AKMAL's record this term is patchy but he's best judged on his Henry II Stakes win for the time being, responsible for a good gallop here and beaten but still rallying when hampered over three furlongs out, his rider easing off soon after.

MONTAFF was out of his depth but took no interest, anyway.