7/22/2004

King George competitive, but lacking a superstar

This Saturday’s King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes is a highlight of the British racing calendar, that for the ‘bon viveur’ or play(person) of modern times is part of a Summer’s season that flows convivially from the earlier Royal Meeting in June on to Wimbledon, The Open, Henley and ‘Glorious Goodwood’, with the occasional visit to Glynebourne sandwiched in along the way, between, of course, a mandatory stop off for a bit of sailing at Cowes.

A person of means could have a jolly old time in England, during the summer months. But the reality is that Britain’s mid-Summer ‘Arc’ is more for purists than the general public. At the end of the season great stock will be put in the result, when the time comes to handing out awards: however, as part of the age-old flat racing schedule (from Doncaster to Doncaster – The Lincoln in March to the Manchester November H’Cap in the fall), the significance is somewhat lost upon Joe Public: unless, of course, there is a marquis horse or Derby winner, in the mold of a Nijinsky or Mill Reef.

This year no such beast exists. And it is fair to say that, while the 2004 renewal promises to be a most competitive and open betting contest, it may just lack a superstar; which, as it often acts as a barometer of ‘Classic’ form, may mean that this year’s crop of 3-y-olds are not as good as some in past years.

As the third leg in the 13-race World Racing Series, it is encouraging to see a rare American-based runner, Hard Buck, and Lunar Sovereign who also has competed regularly on both sides of the Atlantic, but the actual concept of establishing a ‘world champion’ is not likely to be advanced by this cast, or the fact that regrettably none of the horses that competed in the first two rounds, earlier this year in Hong Kong and Singapore, will be competing.

Nevertheless, a good race this promises to be, with Sheikh Mohammed’s powerful Godolphin stables doubly represented by the up-and-coming Doyen and recently disappointing Sulamani; Mark Johnston’s consistent Bandari; Warrsan, another tough globe-trotter; the French 4-y-old filly Vallee Enchantee and Phoenix Reach, who won a round of the WRC in Canada, last fall.

It will be a mix of big-time wannabes, fringe-players, Group 2/3 sorts and one waning star. A recipe for a good race…Yes. But the likely coronation of a superstar…NO.