Royal Ascot: The Norfolk Stakes Group 2. This 2yo contest open to colts & fillies over 5f is a featured on the third day of this supreme meeting of quality racing.
Established in 1843, it was originally called the New Stakes with Rattan winning the inaugural event.
The race was renamed in 1973 in honour of the 16th Duke of Norfolk & promoted from Group 3 status in 2006.
Lester Piggott is the leading jockey for this race (Abermade 1961 - Niche 1992) with 9 victories. Surprisingly, no trainer has achieved more than four winners to date.
Superpower
This bay colt was trained by two-year-old supremo Bill O'Gorman. Racing in the silks of Mrs P L Young he was bred by D A And Mrs Hicks. This son of Superlative made his debut in 1988 and become known as a prolific-winning juvenile.
He made his debut in April, a Windsor maiden over the flying five furlongs. This 6/5f won by a length, making all under the tender handling of Tony Ives. This talent was kept busy winning his next four races at stakes class. Pundits noted this juvenile as one of the most promising two-year-olds in training.
Connections had bigger plans. Royal Ascot's Norfolk Stakes Group 3 looked to be a test. Priced at even money favourite, he made virtually all to win comfortably by two and half lengths.
At Newmarket he suffered a shock 4/11f defeat in the Chesterfield Stakes Listed. Many considered the weight penalty of six straight wins a factor. A narrow defeat in third was seen when heading across the channel to race at Maissons-laffitte, France, contesting the Prix Robert Papin Group 2 over 51/2f on soft ground. Losing by just over two lengths gave encouragement more victories would come.
Travelling to Ireland for the Heinze ''57'' Phoenix Stakes (Group 1) saw a truly memorable display. Stepping up to 6f on much faster ground, Superpower, ridden for the first time by Walter Swinburn, broke fast, made all, and won by an easy three lengths to take the £120,000 prize.
Dropping back to stakes class for his next start over 5f at York looked a straightforward task. He suffered an odds-on defeat against Ron Boss' filly, Madam Millie.
The Flying Childers Stakes Group 2 would see his final juvenile contest. Finishing fifth was a fair effort if not a little disappointing.
Bill O'Gorman's charge ran four times at three at pattern grade before being retired in September of that year.
Superpower is still remembered for his precocious two-year-old racing achievements.
Royal Ascot: The Norfolk Stakes Group 2. This 2yo contest open to colts & fillies over 5f is a featured on the third day of this supreme meeting of quality racing.
Established in 1843, it was originally called the New Stakes with Rattan winning the inaugural event.
The race was renamed in 1973 in honour of the 16th Duke of Norfolk & promoted from Group 3 status in 2006.
Lester Piggott is the leading jockey for this race (Abermade 1961 - Niche 1992) with 9 victories. Surprisingly, no trainer has achieved more than four winners to date.
Mind Games
Puissance (6.4f) — Aryaf (CAN) (Vice Regent (CAN) (8.8f)
Trainer J Berry
OWNER: Robert Hughes (shropshire)
Mind Games was a second foal, half-brother to Able Fun, 1m winner at 2, Prince Ary, 10f winner at 3, & Quiz Show, 1m winner at 3, later dam of smart sprint 2yo Right Answer; dam unplaced at 2-3, half-sister to quite useful miler Peartree House
On the 24th March 1994 Mind Games won the Brocklesby Conditions Stakes by a neck from Jobran, trained by Gay Kelleway, at 4/1 joint favourite. Jack Berry - the renowned trainer often noted for his red shirts - had unveiled one of the most talented horses from the vast string of horses. Berry was well known for his early-season dominance of two-year-old races. This son of Puissance ran seven times at two, winning his first three races with a ready success taking the Norfolk Stakes (Group 3) at Royal Ascot over 5f. He suffered his first loss (5th) when competing at Leopardstown (IRE) in the Heinze 57 Phoenix Stakes (Group 1). Mind Games continued to mark himself as a top-class two-year-old racing at Group level and narrowly losing by a short head in the Flying Childers (Group 2).
A successful career at 3 & 4 saw him race from Listed to Group 1 level, winning a further four races, with the Temple Stakes (Group 2) at Sandown being a notable success. Mind Games raced at Group 1 level on nine occasions but never won at this level albeit finishing 4th in the Nunthorpe Stakes (Group 1) at York, beaten by two length behind Pivotal.
Berry's star raced once as a five-year-old before being retired to stud.
In his career, Mind Games raced 20 time, winning 7 races and won total prize money of over a quarter of a million pounds and an official rating of 112.
A smaller field for this selection of colts on good ground over 5f at Royal Ascot.
An exciting race.
This Royal Ascot, Qatar Racing Ltd have been flashing the cash with their two-year-old purchases. In fact, they must have spent a near fortune buying a selection of potentially talented juveniles but all have failed to make a show. However, their fortunes may change with Ahern and Cape Verde.
Ahern ran a cracking race to beat winning opposition at Musselburgh on his debut. David Barron is a master trainer but even I was surprise with the these this son of Dutch Art proved victorious. The style he disposed of Satsuma, who finished seventh in the Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2), indicates a class act. This £80,000 breeze-up purchase didn't show any sign of inexperience on his racecourse bow and I suspect he will be equally professional in this stiffer competition. I was impressed by this colt. These races are rarely straightforward but a good each way bet.
Cay Verde has been on an upwards spiral since running no more than a fair race on debut. Mick Channon has spoken in glowing terms of this son of Bahamian Bounty since beating Hototo, who went on to win the Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed). He then crossed the Irish channel taking the Marble Hill Stakes (Listed) at the Currugh in comfortable fashion. His strength is the way he finishes his races and he could take some stopping.
It would be good to see Qatar Racing Ltd have a couple of bold shows here in return for their substantial interest in British racing.
Richard Hannon is represented by two horses. Annunciation has Hughes in the saddle. Finishing second to Euxton Hall & Reckless Abandon before winning in style at Windsor illustrated this bay colt has a level of ability but also some limitation. On balance, he will need to improve a good deal to beat Clive Cox's Reckless Abandon. This son of Exchange Rate (USA) ran in a strong auction maiden stakes at Doncaster. A number of juveniles - some way off the lead - have since shown ability. This March foal wasn't stopping at the line and beating Annunciation by a couple of length provides a measure of a talented juvenile. Cox left viewers in little doubt the team expected a winning debut when interviewed on ATR and they clearly had this race on the agenda. He has the potential to be a superb talent and one for the short list.
A number of the field are lightly raced and shown a level of ability.
Roger Varian has been in fine form with his debuatntes this season and Morawij ran well at Haydock over 6f to steal a win in the closing stages. Perhaps he was a little ring rusty that day, but it was noticeable this son of Exceed And Excel took time to warm to his task and this drop in distance may just be a little on the sharp side. Experience often brings horses on a good deal so that might be something and nothing to concern his supporters. However, it would be enough to temper my enthusiasm.
Storm Moon ran well early season looking a smart colt with two wins under his belt. The Johnston juveniles seemed to be on a high at that time but he suffered a poor defeat at Sandown when contesting the National Stakes (Listed). In truth, Joe Fanning gave him a crazy ride, as he and Bailey's Jubilee hared-off at such a pace it was no surprise they crumpled in the final furlong - spent forces. It is worth noting that this colt did get a little warm that day and seemed somewhat unsettled. He most certainly needs an excuse for that effort to figure here. In hindsight, perhaps the form of those earlier contests has been surpassed. With fears of regression, it is best to take a watching brief.
Mister Marc, is difficult to assess, but time may tell he is a quality juvenile. Racing over 6f on both starts, he is another who may find the pace of this minimum trip pretty hot although he is a pacey sort. After a stylish win at Goodwood - always a prime starting point for a Hannon juvenile - he was second to subsequent Coventry Stakes (Group 2) winner Dawn Approach. With Jim Bolger's talent making it four victories in a row, it would be foolish to knock this youngster for being beaten just over two lengths. It is hard to get a handle on this colt but he is worthy of respect and could be the dark horse.
Gale Force Ten ran on well at the Currugh in testing condition to beat Leitir Mor by just under one length. That colt ran creditably in the Coventry to finish seventh beaten a similar number of lengths. This drop in distance doesn't look ideal and everything may happen too quickly.
Of the others, Ian's Dream is a good, strong colt with a rather pronounced knee action perhaps best suiting some give underfoot. Jeremy Noseda is a class trainer and this $220,000 yearling purchase is likely to improve for that racecourse bow. However, the form of that race has its limitations and other are favoured.
Jubilee Brig was most deserving of his recent victory after finishing behind some talented juveniles in the shape Ceiling Kitty - Queen Mary Stakes Group 2 winner - and Bungleinthejungle who went on to finish a gallant second in the Windsor Castle (Listed). Moore's colt may run better than his odds and the type to finish with some purpose if given a patient ride.
Ocean Applause ran better in the National Stakes Listed at Sandown but needs to step up markedly to figure.
While Alan McCabe makes a quick return with *Complicator after making his debut at York. He is a good-looking colt with size and scope to progress with racing and showed up for a moment of two before tiring as if needing the run. He should be fitter and enjoy this better ground but would need a minor miracle to win.
Conclusion: A fascinating race and a pleasant surprise to see a smaller field rather than these huge cavalry charges which often spoil the racing spectacle. A number of these two-year-olds are dropping in distance which could be something of a rude awakening for some. Ahern really impressed me on debut at Musselburgh. In fact, I would go so far to so that it was a sparkling victory. He left smart filly Satsuma trailing and that is the mark of a classy juvenile. Reckless Abandon was another eye catcher who disposed of Annunciation with a stylish win at Doncaster. If anything he had only just started to lengthen his stride. That was a very good debut with the promise of much more. A leading light. Cape Verde is progressing with his racing and the type of composed horse which isn't going to be sucked into a speed dual. Finishing races is key and he is a fair juvenile if not needing to improve to win this. Mister Marc didn't lack for pace when behind subsequent Coventry Stakes (Group 2) winner, Dawn Approach. This drop to the minimum distance may be a plus although he is difficult to assess in ways. Potentially the dark horse of the race. Ahern & Reckless Abandon would be my idea of fair each way bets.
*NR
