Gm, Equinauts

t doesn’t matter what day it is, there’s always some sort of divide in racing — and no divide is bigger than the Flat versus Jumps debate.

We love the Jumps. There’s something special about not being able to feel your hands while clutching a freezing pint of Guinness trackside, watching great stags launch themselves at fences.

But you still can’t beat the Flat.

Regally bred rockets going full send around luscious, sun-baked tracks. Punters draped in suits and dresses. Champagne corks flying. Bigger bets, stronger messages and sharper opinions.

The Cirque du Soleil of racing just keeps on giving. Chester last week, York this week. WE LOVE IT and can’t get enough if it.

Okay, so the weather in France over the weekend wasn’t exactly sun-soaked — but the three-year-old picture is beginning to take shape, and there are some MASSIVE clashes on the horizon.

Let’s dive in.

HEADLINE ROUNDUP

💎A DIAMOND SPARKLES

DIAMOND NECKLACE produced one of the standout performances of the week with an easy victory in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (the frogs 1000 Guineas) at Longchamp:

Sent off a well backed fave, she justified the market confidence in devastating fashion, cruising through the race under Ryan Moore before powering up the rail to win easily for Aidan O'Brien, who, even by his standards, had a wildly amazing week.

She seemed to adore the rain-softened ground, conditions she sluiced through with ease versus those toiling in behind. That might be the ST MARKS BASILICA blood. In fact, we’re quite sure that’s the case.

Connections now appear likely to step her up in distance, with either the Oaks at Epsom or the Prix de Diane under consideration… and she’s been cut accordingly.

Behind the winner, THE LAST DANCE emerged with credit after finishing second in only the third start of her career. Trainer Yann Lerner described the filly’s effort as a major step forward and suggested patience had been key to her development. The performance hinted that she could become a serious contender at the highest level later this season.

Several well-touted British fillies struggled with the slop (or jsut weren’t good enough). ZANTHOS faded after working hard from a wide draw, while HALF SOVEREIGN also finding the race too much.

 🟢🔴RACING IS GREEN AND RED

RAYIF emerged as one of the stars of the French Classic weekend after an impressive victory in the Emirates Poule d’Essai des Poulains (the frogs 2000 Guineas):

The Aga Khan homebred delivered a polished performance under Barzalona, travelling strongly near the pace before scooting clear in the closing stages. His success continued a remarkable run of form for the famous stud, whose home bred runners have enjoyed an exceptional spring campaign.

RAYIF, by Lanwades’ SEA THE MOON, could have provided his sire with a career-defining result, but the real star of the pedigree may be dam RAYISA — especially as half-sister RAYEVKA also won a Group 3 on the same card. Some mare.

Francis Graffard praised RAYIF’s natural speed and professionalism, especially considering the rain-softened ground and the fact he arrived at the race without a prep run and connections are now expected to target the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot rather than stepping him up in distance, with Princess Zahra reportedly buzzing about the prospect of taking on Britain’s top milers next month.

The St James’s Palace Stakes is looking HOT!

Behind the winner, KOMOREBI finished strongly for Godolphin, with jockey William Buick suggesting the colt could improve further on quicker ground and may eventually stay longer distances.

Burke’s HANKELOW ran well and held on to third when looking the likely winner for most of the way. The Prix du Jockey Club could now become his main target with soft ground important to him.

The race further highlighted the current strength of the Aga Khan’S famous green and red colours, with Graffard noting the stable’s remarkable momentum this spring following major wins from horses such as CALANDAGAN and DARYZ.

⚡BURKES BEAST

We doubt Karl Burke is going to get any sh*t for his quotes we’re about to make comment on right now, but we absolutely know Hendo would have had he said something similar thing about his horses homework in the depths of winter. That’s hypocritical nature racing.

The short of it is, Karl Burke is pretty bullish about ZEUS OLYMPIOS ahead of Saturday’s Lockinge after, yep you guessed it, an electric gallop Friday (pun there) and stated horse needed the run after returning heavier from his winter break and worked well at home Friday.

The colt was beaten at Sandown by OPERA BALLO and FIELD OF GOLD but Burke thinks that run has significantly improved fitness and condition heading into the weekends Group 1.

Burke also weighed up plans for FALLEN ANGEL who might appear at York’s Dante Festival this week as prep for bigger summer targets. The multiple Group 1-winning filly may contest the Middleton Fillies’ Stakes if she gets slower ground. The race would likely serve as a stepping stone toward Royal Ascot and then Group 1’s later in the season.

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