Changing Of The Guard?

There was a surprise in Photo Finish racing world this week in Jenny’s My Gal suffering her first defeat since her Kingston Town Stakes second behind American Man as a spring 3yo. It was an enthralling contest, and this is how the Prix De L’arc De Triomphe panned out. JMG led from the outset, setting a frantic pace for such a small field. Malvern Hill and Color Of Fame were second and third throughout the whole race, and Camena’s Thunder settled last.

In the straight, Malvern Hill and Color Of Fame were fighting JMG down the entire straight but JMG was fighting back like the likes of Mummify & Desert War and he fought back and just as it looked as if he’d win the race Malvern Hill and Color Of Fame put in the big bounds and vanquished the great champ at last.

Will this mark a new era in Photo Finish Racing? Yes and No I say, many things were against JMG that day. JMG set a hot pace and he had to run into the wind for the whole gruelling 2400m of the Prix De L’arc De Triomphe and the long straight but still he was only 1- ¼ lengths away. But Malvern Hill is a champion in the making and will make JMG work even more harder for his wins from now on. Color Of Fame was not disgraced either and he was my tip.

But, a few horses are retiring that have dominated the last few years. Scenic Sheba will be retiring, Foxies Lodge’s other champion and a lot of mile races will be up for grabs. Will it be Perfect Picture, who ran his worst race the other week? Or Maroon Lodge who is starting to reach his peak? Or may it be Mr Purler who has been ever so consistent this season? It is remain to be seen. But a horse from leftfield may be Rocket, which wouldn’t be surprising if he maintains his amazing form.

As for the Sprinters, we have a ready made horse to take Attack At Dawn’s crown. Run Missy Run or RMR has excelled at the sprint trips this season. He is still very young and he’s got heart, all you have to do is look at his second in the Newmarket Handicap behind Life On Mars. He tried his big heart out in that. Bro’Town is probably a better dirt sprinter and she will bounce back in the BC Sprint.

But for the middle-distance horses on turf, I still think JMG will dominate this and next year. Malvern Hill and Color Of Fame will be ready to take JMG’s crown once he retires, but a horse that I think will be the Cox Plate winner next season is Arctic Slicker. He’s showing signs of his ability and I think he will win his next start. Narsil is not bad either.

In the distance races Domitila will keep winning till she retires but Kingston Dawn showed signs of his maturity in running Domitila to 2 lengths in the Adelaide Cup. Dulce Sunido looks as if she will be around for another season as will Union Jack and Dalal. Tago Lad looks a top class stayer as well.

In conclusion though, I think JMG will bounce back to win the Breeders Cup Turf, and he space them!