Matt Chapman is dreaming of a Breeders’ Cup clash between Roaring Lion and Justify in his latest column
Could Roaring Lion be the horse to bring down the Kentucky Derby winner?
I WANT a Breeders’ Cup Classic smash up between possible Triple Crown hero Justify and Derby third Roaring Lion.
How about it?
The more I think about it, the more I believe Roaring Lion should be campaigned with the Classic at Churchill Downs as his main objective.
Many will say: “Don’t be silly Matt, British-based trainers don’t win a dirt Classic."
They would be right.
But Roaring Lion might be able to change that.
He is trained by American-racing-minded John Gosden, who let’s not forget is a Classic winner already.
But he’s only really a Classic winner in name, as he sent out Raven’s Pass to win on synthetic at Santa Anita in 2008. Gosden would love to land a dirt Classic.
Everyone knows the Classic is only really a Classic on dirt.
More importantly, Roaring Lion has relations who loved dirt.
A fond farewell
IN the week we remembered Gold Cup legend Denman, regular Gold Cup-placed Djakadam was retired.
I felt sorry for ‘Djak’, as I always felt he would have landed a Ryanair Chase if given the chance.
He was a terrific servant though for Willie Mullins and Rich Ricci. Speaking of Mullins, he sent out his 3,000th winner at Wexford this week when Timi Roli won over hurdles.
Faugheen’s trainer is an absolute hero of mine — he’s great on a night out as well!
It wasn’t just the horses; jockey Andrew Thornton ‘finally’ retired at Uttoxeter on Wednesday.
As style goes Thornton was more John Wayne than Richard Dunwoody, but he banged in more than 1,000 winners and landed a Gold Cup on Cool Dawn at Cheltenham.
You don’t do that if you are not a proper horseman.
A thoroughly nice fella and a smart judge, Thornton is simply a good egg.
Sheikh Fahad’s colt is US-bred through and through and, while his sire and dam were both turf performers Stateside, the sire of his dam, Vionnet, is by Street Sense.
He landed the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Kentucky Derby and Travers on dirt. He needed it.
Roaring Lion has already shown a liking for fast ground.
And he is almost certainly best suited by a mile and a quarter, having failed to quite stay at Epsom behind Masar following on from his emphatic Dante success at York.
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Whether he would meet Justify at Churchill Downs in November only time will tell.
Tonight, live on At The Races, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness victor will bid to become a Triple Crown hero at Belmont Park.
He’s drawn on the inside, which is not ideal, although Justify races prominently and will look for a good start to get close to the speed.
Plus Justify has won his two legs of the Triple Crown in atrocious conditions.
Praise on high
AS a tiny part of the ITV team I was delighted the viewing figures for the Derby were up on last year and looking very healthy.
What made it even more satisfying was the fact it was barbecue weather last Saturday, not the type of day for staying indoors and watching telly.
Often the presenters get praised on these occasions, but the broadcasting side of a show is a piece of cake.
Everyone knows the horses and there’s little research needed.
The hard work goes on behind the scenes.
So congratulations to producer Richard Willoughby and his team.
It’s an impossible task to keep everyone happy and those not seen on camera deserve huge praise.
So who knows how good he might be when he doesn’t have to aquaplane in his big moments.
But his task is huge.
There have been 144 Kentucky Derby winners. Of them, 24 followed up in the Preakness, with Justify the 25th.
Only 12 have won the Triple Crown.
That said, Justify is a monster.