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Racing News |
Strong Home Team Expected in Breeders Cup Including Rip Van Winkle and Conduit
02/11/09
The Breeders Cup is not far away and as usual it is expected to be one of the most entertaining meeting of the year. The Breeders Cup is the richest race meeting on the planet, even overshadowing Dubai World Cup day at the beginning of the flat season. Many horses will be going to the Breeders Cup after a long hard season and it could pay to follow horses who have not been on the go for too long and have faced fewer races this season.
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The Breeders Cup Classic is usually considered the pinnacle of the Breeders Cup and once again this year it will be run on polytrack rather than dirt, which should suit the European runners. Aidan O’Brien’s Rip Van Winkle is the favourite and is expected to go off around 6/4 having won the Sussex Stakes and QEII this season. This greater stamina test should see further improvement from the horse to give Sea The Stars his sternest test this season and further glory awaits in the Breeders Cup Classic.
The Breeders Cup Turf is run over a mile and a half and has been dominated by European runners over the years and similar is expected with Conduit the short priced favourite. Conduit won Breeders Cup Turf last year and comes to the race off the back of success in the King George at Ascot in July and an unlucky fourth in the Arc. Spanish Moon, who has been racing in France this season after being banned from the UK for six months due to refusing to go into the starting stalls on three occasions, is the second favourite for the race.
Conduit is not the only winner from last year returning to the Breeders Cup, Goldikova also returns to try a repeat win in the Breeders Cup Mile. She may have disappointed last time out when only finishing third when odds on favourite but only the brilliant Zarkava has beaten her in seven Group One starts over a mile. Her defeat last time has only made her a better price in the Breeders Cup Mile and the 2/1 probably won’t be available at the off.
Aidan O’Brien, who also saddles Rip Van Winkle and other stars on the night, has Mastercraftsman in the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile and he is expected to go off as favourite in his search for his third Group One of the season. Midshipman could be Mastercraftsman’s biggest challenger in the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile.
