Musings from a great week-end

A superb week-end indeed as Nadal and Pour Moi did what was expected of them for 2 winning recommendations. I still can't believe the odds the layers were giving these two.

Nadal had his worrying moments in the first set when Federer started strongly. At one point, I was starting to believe those stories that the Swiss was back to his best and could upset an out-of-form Nadal. But the Spaniard roared back like a wounded animal and once he rallied for the first set win, there was never any doubt that he would be hard to beat. It's not that Federer is not back to his old best; it's just that Nadal has that mental edge on him that he has yet to overcome; and on clay, that's just impossible. Maybe at Wimbledon..., but there again, Nadal has shown he can beat him there too. Anyway, looking forward to the English major in a couple of weeks.

Pour Moi.... I had been following him all week, particularly after Andre Fabre's comments that he was the real deal. Those Montjeu's are just the best at a mile and a half. I have to say that Carlton House did better than I expected and was far from disgraced. This horse will be dangerous at the big mile and a quarter races.

One other 3-year old that impressed me this week-end was Baraan, who stormed to third place in the French Derby after a tardy start and encountering huge traffic in the straight. This colt looks to be the flag bearer of the Aga Khan's stable, particularly after Behkabad failed to win (by a head) on his seasonal appearance.

Finally, talking of stars, St Nicholas Abbey's win on Oaks day is a reminder that he's not to be forgotten in the upcoming middle distance races. The fact that he beat super mare Midday despite having to switch lanes and giving her the first run in the straight, was quite impressive as well.

Add to those names mentioned above with the likes of Workforce, So You Think, Planteur, and some Japanese raiders coming to strut their stuff on the European scene, one cannot help to think the big Summer middle distance races and Arc will be as hotly contested as we've seen in a long time. One or maybe some real champions will emerge.