Expert Analysis

This Group 2 contest saw a tight finish with the first six home covered by just a length and a half. This is despite the fact that many of the field ran quicker than par for at least one of the opening two furlongs. As a result, they were slowing down late on, with the winner’s final sectional of 12.08 seconds being the quickest and proving decisive in the end. The close proximity of so many at the line suggests that there isn’t any superstar in this field and a couple of those that fought out the finish were a long way behind Libertango at York.

FINAL OBJECTIVE was taken off his feet a little in the opening furlong, dropping back to the minimum here for the first time. He quickly adjusted though and travelled well towards the near side of the group. He made eye-catching progress through the penultimate furlong and just did enough inside the closing stages to get his head in front before the line.

CROWNBREAKER tracked the early leader Fast Track in the first half of the race. She edged toward the far side soon after halfway and made her challenge on that side of the long-time leader. She was a little short of room inside the final furlong as Flann Sunna arrived on the other side but nudged her way through only to be denied by Final Objective close home. She gives a form boost to Libertango, who she was well behind at York.

FLANN SUNNA was another that dropped back to the minimum for the first time. In that regard, it was disappointing that he appeared to fade a little close home. However, he had made ground through the middle of the race to get into a challenging position.

FAST TRACK led early, after a sharp early split from the stalls. She was clear in front inside the penultimate furlong, but the signs were ominous at the furlong pole as the pack closed on all sides. She started to run around a little as she got tired and succumbed to the closers 100 yards out.

IN THE BLACK came from off the pace, as she was nearly last of the eleven inside the two-furlong pole. She finished well, quickest of all for the penultimate furlong and was only 0.06 seconds slower than the winner for the final one, despite being short of room as she went for a narrow gap.

SALE SHARK was unable to build on the Listed win at York last time. He was prominent early but then settled in mid-division towards the far side. He didn’t have a clear run from outside the furlong pole and had to switch towards the far side. While he would have finished closer, I don’t think he would have won regardless.

AGAMEMNON raced in midfield but was pushed along early and couldn’t go with the main group from a furlong and a half out.

TOKAIDO was held up in rear and moved towards the near side. He made ground from halfway but weakened from the furlong pole.

EL FLORIDITA was prominent early but came under pressure around halfway and faded out of it soon after.

CARRY THE FLAG was on the pace near side early but was beaten a long way from home in a disappointing effort.

RONSON never landed a blow and was the first horse beaten.