Welcome To Yorkshire Ebor Festival: David Ord diary from day one, including wins for Japan and Logician
David Ord was at York to see an epic finish to the Juddmonte International and an unbeaten colt underline his Classic credentials.
Ebor Festival York Day One
- International success for Japan
- Logician cruises to Voltigeur win
- Valdermoro swoops in Acomb
- Golden run continues for Dakota
- Ebor Festival day 1 blog recap
Click on the above links for race reports & replays
Classic speed from champion trainer
Seven years to the day that Frankel thundered down the Knavesmire to win the Juddmonte International, his son Logician stretched his unbeaten record to four in the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes.
It was a taking performance from the powerful grey but John Gosden urged caution after hearing he’d been chalked up as 2/1 favourite for the William Hill St Leger.
“He’s come a long way, winning a maiden, a novice, a handicap off 90 and now a Great Voltigeur. It’s what we do next that’s the key,” he said.
“He’s in the St Leger but there are other options if we decided to stay at a mile-and-a-half. I need to talk to the jockey, the owner, the racing manager, everyone before we decide our next move. Long discussions will be held in the next ten days.”
Gosden then showed a turn of foot that would make himself a contender for the Doncaster Classic to leave the press pack flat-footed and saddle up King Of Comedy for the Juddmonte International.
There’s a work in progress for the champion trainer and after taking a fierce hold for the first three furlongs, he finished fourth behind Japan and Crystal Ocean.
He will return to a mile – temporarily – for his final race of 2019.
“He stumbled out of the gate and was then lit up for three furlongs as noted by Mike Cattermole, our great commentator. He then settled into a rhythm and came with a nice run but paid the price at this end of the the race. He’d used up too much petrol early,” the trainer noted.
“He’s still quite young and immature and when he learns to race professionally he’d give them a real race. What we’re going to do now is back away and not go to Ireland.
“We’ll freshen up and go to Ascot for the QEII. He’s a mile-and-a-quarter horse no problem, but not if he over-races early. We’ll look to ten furlongs next year but the stiff mile at Ascot on October 19th will do for now.”
What might have been for Elarqam
Frustration. That was the mood of the Elarqam camp after their son of Frankel filled third place in the opening day feature.
“He was very keen early and came off the bridle two out but then came back with vengeance and Jim (Crowley) felt had he strode on earlier he might have won it," trainer Mark Johnston mused.
“He also thought if they’d come up the middle, as they have done in virtually every race here for five years, he might have won it anyway. Frustrating yes but it certainly confirmed beyond any doubts that he’s Group One class.”
The performance led to a potential change of plan for the son of Attraction too.
“More than ever before we’ve seen he gets every inch of ten furlongs and could get further. We’ve had some doubts about trip in the past and had great debates on the subject," the trainer added.
"They went a bit slow today and maybe that made him look like he’ll get further but having not looked at a mile-and-a-half races in the past – we might do in the future.”
Acomb hero proves local hero
Martyn McLeod’s red and black colours have been a familiar sight on the northern racecourses for some time now.
The owner has enjoyed plenty of success in the south too, Snoano winning the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2017 for the Tim Easterby team.
But in Tattersalls Acomb Stakes winner Valdemoro he has the best colt to pass through his hands.
No wonder he is was all smiles in the York sunshine moments after the neck defeat of Harpocrates.
So how excited is he about the son of Declaration Of War who earned a 40/1 quote from Sky Bet for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas?
"A lot more excited now than I was five minutes ago!" he beamed.
"You don’t doubt him but there were a lot of nice horses in there and Ryan Moore produced a great opportunist ride on the second. I thought he’d got away from us as our horse put his head up and was three and four lengths adrift.
“He then got his head down, got organised, and got to him. They’ve pulled two-and-a-half lengths clear of some quality horses in behind and I’m absolutely delighted.
“He’s right up there with the best I’ve had – to have a winner like this on my local course means everything.”
The smile said it all.
Near-miss for O’Keeffe
It was so nearly a red-letter day for rising training star Jedd O’Keeffe but two second places and light late afternoon drizzle failed to dampen his mood.
“It’s been a fantastic day. Of course it’s frustrating to have two seconds but I’m so proud of both horses and racing is so competitive here,” he said.
Marnie James came within three-quarters-of-a-length of making a winning start for the handler in the opening Sky Bet And Symphony Group Handicap.
He was bought out of Iain Jardine’s yard for 75,000 guineas by the shrewd Quantum Racing team earlier this month. He put £13,048.00 back into the coffers here with the promise of much more to come.
“We’ve only had him two-and-a-half weeks and are still learning about him but he ran very well. We’re delighted. He seems entirely straightforward and goes nicely on the ground. Jamie (Spencer) gave him a good ride and the one thing we didn’t know about today was the extra 89 yards,” O’Keeffe said.
“It proved no problem at all as he finished well. It maybe opens up one or two other options and was an excellent start.
“The Portland is a possibility – five-and-a-half at Doncaster – that might suit him and we’ll have some fun planning with him now.”
Rare Groove then looked all over the winner of the two-mile Sky Bet Handicap only to be cut down in the final strides by Eddystone Rock.
“I thought he’d won and PJ (McDonald) gave him a tremendous ride. John is a wonderful owner to train for. He’s so understanding and patient, it’s great to have him the yard.”
The Highbeck team are still reeling from the sad loss of Lord Yeats last week but have to move forward too and have a couple more runners at the meeting.
“We’re experimenting with Jazeel over a mile-and-a-half on Friday. He has run over the trip before at the Shergar Cup and we’re going to give it a go with him in the Sky Bet Handicap. He deserves to get his head in front again.," O'Keeffe said.
“Archaeology runs in the last on Friday over a mile. He’s just had a wind op and we’ll find out how successful that’s been then.”
No one would begrudge the affable handler a winner or two.
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