Sport | Horse Racing
Cherry Mix looks to recapture form
Cherry Mix, looking to recapture his winning form of last season, takes a journey into the unknown to confront the undisputed king of long-distance races in what appears to be a fascinating renewal of the Gold Cup (Group 1) at Royal Ascot today.
- By Leslie Wilson Jr, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:24 June 20, 2007
- Image Credit: AP
- Cherry Mix has given his connections reason to believe that he can make amends as he faces 13 rivals including last year's Gold Cup winner Yeats in today's lung-bursting 2 1/2-mile trip at Ascot.
Ascot: Cherry Mix, looking to recapture his winning form of last season, takes a journey into the unknown to confront the undisputed king of long-distance races in what appears to be a fascinating renewal of the Gold Cup (Group 1) at Royal Ascot today.
The Godolphin star has been unsuccessful in two starts this year, but has given his connections reason to believe that he can make amends over today's lung-bursting 2 1/2mile trip.
Frankie Dettori, fresh from winning the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes on the opening day of the Royal Meeting on Tuesday, says Godolphin's ability to innovate and take on the unknown, has resulted in some of their biggest wins.
"It's a chance we're taking, but Godolphin has never been afraid to attempt something different," said the Italian. "He comes out as the second best horse in the race on ratings.
"It will be a different adventure for Cherry Mix but why not? We did the transition with Classic Cliché and Kayf Tara before. If he stays the distance I am sure he will run a very big race."
Godolphin is looking for their fifth win in the Gold Cup, having landed the Royal Meeting's most prestigious race with Classic Cliché (1996), Kayf Tara (1998 & 2000) and Papineau (2004), and trainer Saeed Bin Surour is quietly optimistic of adding to those successes.
"Cherry Mix is in good form. He came back well from his last race which he needed," said Bin Surour.
"He seems happier in himself now. The two and a half mile distance is new for him but if he settles and relaxes, it could suit him.
"I would like to see Frankie take his time and hopefully he will be able to ride a waiting race."
Cherry Mix faces 13 rivals including last year's Gold Cup winner Yeats, recent Henry II Stakes star Allegretto and Sergeant Cecil, who won the Emirates airline Yorkshire Cup in May.
Trained at Ballydole in Ireland by Aidan O'Brien, Yeats is unbeaten in two starts this season and is likely to be sent off as the even-money favourite today, one year after he scored an authoritative four-length victory in the Gold Cup.
On that occasion Sergeant Cecil ran fifth, but has since claimed his first Group 1 win in the Prix du Cadran Casino Les Princes Barrie de Cannes at Longchamp and is reportedly improved considerably.
The eight-year-old became the first horse to win Britain's three biggest handicaps - the Northumberland Plate, Ebor and Cesarewitch - in 2005, and is expected to run a big race today.
Other contenders include Mick Channon's Baddam, winner of both the Ascot Stakes and Queen Alexandra Stakes at last year's Royal meeting, Montare and Lord Du Sud from France and Le Miracle from Germany.
The Gold Cup is the highlight of Ladies' Day. It is one of Britain's longest and long-standing races and one that defines Europe's champion stayer.
FLASHBACK
Gold Cup: Yeats won the Gold Cup after a brilliant front-running display. Kieren Fallon took the Irish-trained horse to the front with two furlongs to go and held on in style to win by four lengths.
Reefscape was second, a nose ahead of pre-race favourite Distinction, who pushed hard in the final furlongs but was unable to close the gap on the leaders.
Fallon said: "I knew we'd saved our gas. I knew he'd have a turn of foot - he's a horse with a lot of class."
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