Caravaggio’s Sectional Times In July Cup Indicate Sound Reason For His First Defeat
Dual Group One–winning colt Caravaggio’s (Scat Daddy) unbeaten winning sequence came to an end last weekend in the July Cup (Gr 1, 6f) at Newmarket, denting his prospects for the upcoming The Everest (1200m), but his sectional times suggest he still has strong claims for that innovative race.
Ever since the announcement of the $10,000,000 The Everest, which is to be run at Randwick on 14 October, the Aidan O’Brien-trained colt has been firm in early betting markets.
And after recording his sixth successive victory in brilliant fashion by taking out the Commonwealth Cup (Gr 1, 6f) at Royal Ascot on 23 June, the Coolmore-raced colt looked on target to test the local Australian sprinters.
But he followed that performance with what appeared to be a somewhat disappointing effort at Newmarket on Saturday when fourth behind Harry Angel (Dark Angel), whom he had defeated at their prior meeting at Royal Ascot.
But the pace in that race, or lack of it, was the telling difference in the July Cup, which was clocked at a moderate 1:11.25 for the six furlongs journey.
Harry Angel was close to the lead, if not leading, most of the way before grabbing a winning break at the two furlongs, while Caravaggio remained midfield before making his bid.
Timeform’s sectional times showed that Harry Angel clocked 37.82 for his first three furlongs with his final three furlongs in a fast 33.43, making the task of making ground in the sprint home very difficult for runners too far back in the field.
After a moderate first three furlongs in 38.19 Caravaggio did make ground, albeit without threatening, to be beaten just under two lengths and his final three furlongs was a very quick 33.36 which was the equal fastest clocked in the race.
It should also be pointed out that it was Caravaggio’s first start on the July course at Newmarket where the final two furlongs has testing rising ground.
Connections are still undecided about venturing to Australia but his sectional times suggest that Caravaggio’s credentials are still clearly valid despite the colt’s first defeat.
The TAB have not overreacted and still have Caravaggio on their second line of betting for The Everest at $8.00 along with the Golden Slipper Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) winner She Will Reign (Manhattan Rain) while their favourite is the multiple Group One-winning sprinter Chautauqua (Encosta De Lago) at $4.60.
On the local scene last weekend, a colt to impress On The Watch was the Greg Eurell-trained I Did It Again (Nicconi) who showed potential to progress to far better things in taking out the John and Denise Cobcroft Handicap (1200m) at Caulfield.
After a good beginning, I Did It Again raced close to the pace, on the rails, before Nikita Beriman brought the colt through on the inner to challenge on turning for home.
Despite showing some signs of inexperience, I Did It Again soon got the upper hand and then drew clear to score comfortably by a length and a quarter in the smart time of 1:09.93 for the 1200 metre journey.
Clocked from the 1000 metre point, I Did It Again returned 200 metre sections of 10.50, 10.76 (400m in 21.26), 11.80 (600m in 33.06), 11.40 (800m in 44.46) with his final 200 metres in 11.92 to give him a fast last 1000 metre time of 56.38.
I Did It Again looks the makings of a quality colt who appears capable of being effective in Group three-year-old races in the spring.
In the main race at Caulfield the Mick Kent-trained sprinter Supido (Sebring) scored a smart first up win in the Sir John Monash Stakes (Gr 3, 1100m), the lightly-raced five-year-old’s seventh win in 13 starts.
Ridden to capitalise on his quick finishing burst by Luke Nolen, Supido obliged in dashing home once clear from his midfield position, to score quite comfortably at the post by three quarters of a length in a time of 1:03.58 (11.56 per 200m), equivalent to 1200 metres in 1:09.36.
And his sectional times were impressive.
Clocked from the 1000 metre point, Supido returned 200 metre sections of 10.97, 10.80 (400m in 21.77), 11.19 (600m in 32.96), 10.68 (800m in 43.64) with his final 200 metres in 12.38 to give him a fast last 1000 metre time of 56.02.
Supido was suited by the fast pace in the race which was set by the speedy sprinter Lord Of The Sky (Danerich) who was also resuming.
Lord Of The Sky led until passing the 200 metres and while he looked disappointing in weakening for fifth, beaten three lengths, his sectional breakdown suggests that the dual Group Three winning sprinter is not a spent force, especially if he could be rated more effectively.
His 200 metre breakdown, from the 1000 metre point, being 10.85, 10.72 (400m in 21.57), 11.01 (600m in 32.58), 11.20 (800m in 43.78) with his final 200 metres in 12.96 to give him a last 1000 metre time of 56.74.
At the Rosehill meeting, two promising colts fought out the opening race, the #TheRaces Handicap (1400m), Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Siege Of Quebec (Fastnet Rock) and the Chris Waller-trained Calculated (So You Think).
After working a bit in the early stages to find the lead, Siege Of Quebec steadied the tempo, briefly looked in danger when headed at the 200 metres before fighting back gamely to defeat his rival by a half-length in a time of 1:24.03.
The first 800 metres of the race only clocked 49.28 with the race developing in a quick sprint home from the 600 metres with both colts producing smart closing sectionals.
Siege Of Quebec was timed to run his last 600 metres in 34.52, last 400 metres in 22.40 and last 200 metres in 11.19 while Calculated clocked 34.36 (last 600m), 22.34 (last 400m) with his final 200 metres in 11.28.
Both will probably meet again in the spring with the Golden Rose Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) their likely mission.
While the final word goes to lightly raced five-year-old gelding Washington Heights (Commands), who has returned to the Gerald Ryan stable after winning two of four starts in Hong Kong for trainer Paul O’Sullivan.
He showed talent when originally with Ryan, which included two Group Three placings as a two-year-old, and on Saturday Washington Heights impressed in coming from near the tail of the field to win the Benchmark 93 (1200m) in a time of 1:09.60 at his first start since May 2016.
Washington Heights also produced outstanding closing sectional times with his last 1000 metres in 55.29, last 800 metres in 44.19, last 600 metres in 33.06 with his final 400 metres in 22.21 and he is a horse to watch.