15:05 Curragh (IRE) 20 Jul 2024
Barberstown Castle Sapphire Stakes
Group 2 | Class 1 | 3YO plus
Winner €72,000 - 9 ran
went left from stalls, soon settled behind leaders, closer and disputed 2nd halfway, ridden to challenge 1 1/2f out, disputed over 1f out, headed inside final 200 yards, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, progress 2f out, ridden in 5th 1 1/2f out, hampered 1f out, kept on well close home, 3rd at line
squeezed up leaving stalls and towards rear, ridden 1 1/2f out, switched right and progress over 1f out, kept on into 3rd closing stages, lost 3rd at line
disputed early, tracked leader after 1f, disputed 2nd halfway, ridden 2f out, challenged briefly 1 1/2f out, no extra in 3rd 1f out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders on near side, mid-division after 2f, ridden 1 1/2f out, 4th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on one pace
slight bump leaving stalls, held up, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out
soon disputed on outer, led after 1f and came to centre, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, no extra
prominent early, soon tracked leaders, ridden halfway, no extra 2f out
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| CSF | €6.08 (3, 8) |
| Win | €2.00 (3) |
| Place | €1.10 (3), €1.60 (8), €1.30 (4) |
| Exacta | €7.00 (3, 8) |
| Trifecta | €18.90 (3, 8, 4) |
Expert Analysis
This Group 2, dominated by fillies, was not a strong race of its type, in keeping with the sprinting scene in Europe at present, though the winner is smart and reliable and that was comfortably good enough on the day. It was well-run (winner’s final 2f of 22.52s gives bang on par 103.0% finishing speed) on ground that was just on the fast side of good judged on times overall. The runners came down the centre.
BELIEVING (111 here and previously) came here with the best form and duly delivered, proving most reliable at 5f/6f of late. She chased the pace and was niggled along but quite close up at halfway, leading approaching the final 1f and running on well, with a typically low head carriage.
BEAUTIFUL DIAMOND (103 here and previously) ran to the same level as when winning a listed race at Ayr the time before, well suited by the minimum trip and speed-favouring conditions. She was a bit awkwardly away but soon disputing second, had every chance and briefly went left under pressure 1f out, one paced late on.
MAKAROVA (101+ here, 104 previously) might have finished second with a clearer run, slightly outpaced in the first half of the race but closing when hampered and switched 1f out, going on at the finish. She is in good nick right now.
JAKAJARO (104 here, 99 previously) ran his best race, running on form the rear having been short of room at the start, nearest at the finish. His two wins have been at 6f.
ANO SYRA (99 here, 103 previously) is not the most consistent but ran respectably, close up for a long way and briefly checked about 1f out.
SHE’S QUALITY (97 here, 106 previously) did not quite reproduce the form she had shown against lesser opposition, travelling comfortably but one paced late on.
SO MAJESTIC (86 here, 93 previously)
TWILIGHT JET (87 here, 102 previously)
VALIANT FORCE (0 here, ? previously)
Video Highlights
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Replay: 15:05 Curragh 20th Jul 2024
