The 3 Guineas winners are at it again in the Sussex Stakes. When they last met, Galileo Gold prevailed but it was The Gurkha that made the strongest impression in defeat when running on late. The way that The Gurkha drove past Awtaad as he went in pursuit of Galileo Gold before the post caught him on, suggested that he had the best engine of the 3.
While Galileo Gold and Awtaad have been rested since that race, The Gurkha made a foray in the Coral-Eclipse, finishing second to Hawkbill, the mile and a quarter race proving a little too much of a stretch for him. The main question for the Sussex is whether the son of Galileo will be at a disadvantage fitness-wise compared to his rested rivals.
Galileo Gold has rarely put a foot wrong and the good to firm ground should be to his liking. Not so much for Awtaad who prefers a certain amount of give underfoot. The only thing with Galileo Gold is that after his first winning outing, he has alternated defeats and wins. So, he might possibly be vulnerable to a newcomer. Might that 4th musketeer be Ribchester, winner of the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot? The Godolphin representative is on an upward curve and is definitely a live chance for at least a finish in the frame here.
I am siding with Galileo Gold because of his consistency but if The Gurkha is at 100% and does not show any ill-effect from his Coral-Eclipse outing, he will be the one to beat.
While Galileo Gold and Awtaad have been rested since that race, The Gurkha made a foray in the Coral-Eclipse, finishing second to Hawkbill, the mile and a quarter race proving a little too much of a stretch for him. The main question for the Sussex is whether the son of Galileo will be at a disadvantage fitness-wise compared to his rested rivals.
Galileo Gold has rarely put a foot wrong and the good to firm ground should be to his liking. Not so much for Awtaad who prefers a certain amount of give underfoot. The only thing with Galileo Gold is that after his first winning outing, he has alternated defeats and wins. So, he might possibly be vulnerable to a newcomer. Might that 4th musketeer be Ribchester, winner of the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot? The Godolphin representative is on an upward curve and is definitely a live chance for at least a finish in the frame here.
I am siding with Galileo Gold because of his consistency but if The Gurkha is at 100% and does not show any ill-effect from his Coral-Eclipse outing, he will be the one to beat.
Very nice article and very useful! Today is the second day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival which will take place at Goodwood racecourse until 30 june. In this second day, other 7 races will take place, but the most interesting is race 3 which it has as favorite on Awtaad is the first favorite, with 3 wins and 1 third place in just 4 races since this year. I hope C D Hayes will be able to perform well and deliver an easy victory. However, Galileo Gold is also in the race for a victory, having a 67% win percentage in the its last 3 races.
ReplyDelete