In the Vodafone Oak, Passage Of Time had every chance as the
race was run and beat a hasty retreat when the race took a serious
turn to finish eighth. The bookmakers, already facing massive
liabilities if Authorized wins the Derby on Saturday, got some
breathing room and Frankie Dettori's mount eased to even money.
The going on Friday was good to soft and soft in places. Sixties Icon's
paddock looks did not impress some discerning observers but his Jockey
Club (at Newmarket) win had been so compelling that the money flowed
only one way-in Sixties Icon's direction. Held at 15-8 briefly, the odds
dropped to 7 to 4 and dropped further to 11-8 as post time approached.
Septimus was next in demand followed by Sir Percy. Scorpion was
available at 8-1.
Maraahel and Septimus disputed the lead and set out on a strong gallop.
The latter won the duel and showed the way as Scorpion, in striking
range, waited. Sir Percy and Sixties Icon lay fifth and sixth. Scorpion
found another gear with a quarter mile left and shot to the lead.
Septimus kicked on but was not doing enough to keep up with the leader.
Maraahel was not giving up but the futility of the task was becoming
apparent halfway down the stretch. Sir Percy was not making progress.
Sixties Icon got a couple of reminders from Frankie Dettori and it did
not take longer than a moment or two for the fans to realize that the
heavily-fancied favorite was racing as if he was stuck in the mud.
It was Scorpion's first win since the St. Leger in 2005. In his 2007
bow, he was beaten at Chester, a defeat that hardly inspired hope. Mick
Kinane said, "I travelled well. I knew the front runners were coming
back. When I moved, there was nobody coming from the rear."
Scorpion is by Montjeu out of Ardmelody, a Law Society mare. The time
was 2-40.8 for the 1 1/2 mile trip. Scorpion's share of the purse was
141,950 pounds. The winning margin was 1 1/4 lengths.
Frankie Dettori made a short statement. "He (Sixties Icon) ran flat.
Very surprising."
Passage Of Time opened at 2 to 1. Moments later, she drifted to 9-4.
Another drift took her odds to 11-4. All My Lovin was being bet down to
9-2 from 10-1. All My Lovin, Christophe Soumillon up, was trying to
reverse the order of finish in the Cheshire Oaks. Light Shift was 13-2
but a longer price was available if you walked back and forth the
betting area.
The pace was brisk. Passage Of Time was third and fourth. She could not
have had better position. All My Lovin made an early move to get into
contention. Light Shift, held up for the first half, was passing horses
as they negotiated the Tattenham Corner. Passage Of Time had thrown in
the towel as they raced past the quarter pole. Light Shift had gone into
the lead and was opening up. All My Lovin could not produce extra as
Soumillon asked for more. Less than two furlongs to go, Peeping Fawn
emerged from the pack. With Martin Dwyer driving the Aidan O'Briem-trained
filly, the gap was being narrowed. A furlong left, Light Shift, under a
relentless Durcan ride, was hanging on for dear life. As they raced
toward the line, Durcan and Light Shift kept Peeping Fawn and Dwyer at
bay. It was a 1/2 length victory and the time was 2-40.38 for the 1 1/2
mile race.
The race was worth 222,350 pounds to Light Shift, She is by Kingmambo
out of Lingerie, a Shirley Heights mare. It was Ted Durcan's first win
in a British Classic.
It was Classic win #24 for trainer Henry Cecil. It was his eighth win in
the Oaks. I asked him in the post-Oaks conference if this win was more
satisfying than the others. "Yes, it is. I am back. I knew I had it
in me. This shows I can train big-race winners. May be, this will set me
up for bigger things."
Henry Cecil was choking with emotion as he thanked the fans after the
presentation ceremony. "I appreciate all the kindness. It means a
lot. So many wanted me to win this and so badly."
I asked him if he still thought Passage Of Time was the better filly.
Henry Cecil answered my question without really answering it. "Coming
down the hill, I thought Richard Hughes (Passage Of Time' jockey) did
not have it. Durcan was on the go. Ted is an excellent rider-mainly
underrated. He always helps me out. Light Shift, I said over and over,
deserved a spot in the Oaks and she's a worthy winner."
Bookmakers have eased the odds on Authorized to even money. It is
thought that, on course, the odds will be 11-10. Ladbrokes say that 30
million pounds will be bet on Authorized. David Williams, spokesman for
the bookmaking giant, said. "Epsom Downs will be awash with bookies'
blood if Frankie wins." The housewives' money is coming Frankie's
way, according to a statement from the bookmaking outfit, Victor
Chandler.
Here's an interesting fact. A victory of two lengths or less is priced
at 11-4. The odds shorten to 5-2 if the margin is more than two.
I will take Authorized. Frankie Dettori's riding form since Tuesday has
not been inspiring. The odds going higher on Authorized, I believe, is
not a good sign. Yet, Authorized's record is such that it is easy to
make a case for him. An Aidan O'Brien runner is likely to take the
runner-up berth.
The forecast for Derby day is encouraging. No rain at all. Dry day. The
ground is drying out fast. The level-playing field should make for an
exciting race. I am headed to London Victoria and I will not be taking
an umbrella.
"All I want is a clear shot. This race has eluded me. Everybody is
wishing me luck. I want to be able to say that I have done everything in
my adopted country,": Dettori has said in a press release.
If you wish to comment on this or any story, please mail me at
harnesskrish@yahoo.com.
