| INTERNATIONAL
NEWS - JUNE
27th June, 2001
Argentina: Carreras de las Estrellas
From Jamie Duncan
On paper, this year's version of the Breeder's
Cup in Buenos Aires seemed short of some of the magic and classy fields
of other editions. This has been due in part to the continued exodus
of top horses abroad. Three of the top four fillies, for example are
now in the States and this is a big loss for local racing given this
three year-old crop's particular quality. Nevertheless, the day proved
to be an exciting one with some excellent racing on the grass at San
Isidro, the emergence of potential stars and a farewell to others.
Junior Sprint: 1000m
This looked like a walkover for Queen's
Bench, a Southern Halo filly with three wins and stakes form. However,
Refine had other ideas and this absolute speed machine, who had only
had one previous start, led from the jump, pulverising her rivals
with a nine length win in 55.04. Queen's Bench fought on for second
ahead of Gran Rock II, a colt by Rockville. Refine is the second G1
winner by Mutakddim from Redama.
Juvenile Fillies: 1600m
Ivory Tower unbeaten in two and a great
winner of the Gran Premio de Potrancas on the track looked unbeateable.
She duly obliged but only after a ding-dong battle down the straight
with La Belga (Roy) who fought every inch of the way. Miss Loren (Numerous)
was 2 1/2 lengths away in a good field of 12. The winner ensured another
carreras win for Southern Halo, who has managed at least one winner
in each of the last seven years. Ivory Tower is from the Cipayo mare,
Iskara and now heads to the US. She won in 1.33.32
Juvenile Colts and Geldings: 1600m
Another set bet in Petit Club, the hugely
impressive Southern Halo colt with four wins and a future in the States.
8 runners took him on but he won as he liked by four lengths from
Oh Take (Latin American), a colt bred in Brazil and Rolex Free (Friul).
1.33.15 was his winning time with no serious opposition.
Distaff: 2000m
A field with some useful mares including
Kalath Champ (Ski Champ) , Slew the Moon (Kitwood) and Mi Sureña
(Southern Halo), victorious last year in this event. Standing head
and shoulders above these however was Guernika (3f Luhuk), who had
recently returned from a spell to win a Group three by eleven lengths
from Mi Sureña. Guernika, a dual 1000 Guineas winner made no
bones about this one and scored by five lengths from Fiereze (5m Political
Ambition) with Eterna Girl (4m Sonus) in third.
Classic: 2000m
The most even contest with the lack of an
obvious favourite leading punters to hope that last December´s
G.P. Carlos Pellegrini winner, Guarachero (4h Slew Gin Fizz), could
return from a six month spell, just as he had in that race and take
the honours.
He did a good job and escaped from the pack in the
straight but the three year-old colt, Mr Mat came home with the best
finish and won going away by 1 1/2 lengths with 4 lengths back to
1999 Pellegrini winner Coalsack (5h Algenib) returning to form in
third. Mr Mat is extremely lightly raced and showed good form in the
spring winning two from three before finishing 11th in Guarachero´´s
Pellegrini. He has had one run since, a win in March and was perfectly
prepared for this event. He is a colt by Numerous from Mat Music (Mat
Boy). The winning time was 2.12.
Sprint 1000m:
A competitive field with many prospects
as the sprinting ranks slowly fill up again following a lean period.
Estambul (3c Kitwood), a winner at the International meeting in December,
Mister Phone (3c Speakerphone), a horse with good recent form and
Sa Torreta (4m Southern Halo) with two easy recent wins were among
the favourites.
However, there were plenty of upsets as Taimazov pulled off a win
by 3/4 of a length from Star Cross (3c Southern Halo) and Camire Toss
(3f Bombazo Toss) 3rd. The winner won in 55.03 and is a four year-old
horse by Southern Halo from Heiress, giving his prolific sire, three
wins on the day.
27th June, 2001
Dubai Duty Free, Sheema Classic and Golden Shaheen
promoted to Group I
The Chairman of the Dubai World Cup Committee,
Mr Les Benton, was "absolutely delighted" when receiving confirmation
that the Dubai Duty Free, Dubai Sheema Classic and Dubai Golden Shaheen
would join the Dubai World Cup as Group I races. (More)
Argentina: Lac Azur in Gran Criterium
There was a surprise winner of the Gran Criterium
(G1, 1600m, grass) for the two year-old colts and geldings at San Isidro
recently. Espontaneo was expected to be one of the main contenders and
he set off from the jump to make a smart pace. (More)
Argentina: Other news
Crack sire, Southern Halo will shuttle to
this country again after missing the last season. Given his continued
dominance in the sire rankings, this is great news for breeders here.
(More)
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