2015 Flat Issue 6 - things gathering pace

Headlines

Horn Is Golden in Derby

Moon Shines at Epsom

Tropics Burns off Rivals at Windsor

Abbey scores at Nottingham

Report

We start at Windsor on Monday 1 June where Tropics (Peej), went to post in the 6f listed stakes, held up in rear, smooth progress on outer from ½ way, led over 1 out, going strongly, pushed out and in command, winning by ½ l. He gets 41.6 points.

At Epsom on Saturday in the 1m 4f group 1 Coronation Cup Pethers Moon ( Martin) went to post, held up in last, went 3^rd from 1 /2 way effort on inner over 2 out, went 2^nd and switched inside last, stayed on under pressure to lead last strides, winning by a neck. He gets 64.2 points.

In the 1m 4f Group 1 Derby Golden Horn ( Bob, Cliff, Lee, Tony), Jack Hobbs ( Bob), took their chances. . Golden Horn, took keen hold, held up off pace in last 4, closed and in 9^th entering straight, pulled out 3 out, ridden and headway 2 out, chased leader 1 out, led just inside last, drifted left but went clear winning comfortably by 3 ½ l. He gets 52.4 points. 

Jack Hobbs, held up in mid field, closed and 5^th in to straight, ridden and headway to lead over 1 out, hanging left and soon pressed, headed just inside last, out paced by winner, finishing 2^nd beaten 3 ½ l He gets 24 pointts.

Today at Nottingham, Lexington Abbey ( Martin), went to post in the 6f handicap,

Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ridden and ran on, winning by ½ l. He gets 35 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy               

                   June           Totals

Bob             74.4            301.3

Cliff            52.4              245.1

Tony           52.4              240.6

Cod            00                239.8

Martin         99.2             224.3

Neil            00                173.8

Le e             52.4            156.4

Steve          00                137.1

Peej            41.6             131.7

News

Belardo could travel overseas in search of some cut in the ground should conditions be too quick at Royal Ascot next week

Connections of California Chrome admit that the Kentucky Derby winner could be facing his toughest test yet as he gears up for Wednesday's Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. Opponents include, Kevin Ryan's The Grey Gatsby, who was also second at Meydan behind Solow in the Dubai Turf, will try to win his first race since he lowered the colours of Australia in the Irish Champion Stakes in September.

The Grey Gatsby was fourth to Al Kazeem in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh, a race which Free Eagle had to miss because he was suffering from a head cold.

Dermot Weld reports Free Eagle to be A1 again now, and the four-year-old is ready to run for the first time since he was third in the Qipco Champion Stakes over the course and distance in October.

There are two French-trained possibles in Ectot and Gailo Chop while Japanese challenger Spielberg and Criterion from Australia add even more global interest.

John Gosden is double-handed with Eagle Top and Western Hymn while Sir Michael Stoute relies on Cannock Chase. The Corsican, trained by David Simcock, completes the list.