Equinties - Royal Ascot day 4

Gm Equinauts

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HEADLINE ROUND UP

THE GOLD(EN) CUP

Jumps or flat, the Gold Cup is the ultimate test.

As the field broke the stalls yesterday, anyone new to racing might have asked ‘why such a tiny field on the greatest stage!?’.

The simple answer?

Because there are so few horses who could complete, let alone compete.

And really, if we’re honest even that’s being generous for it was a one horse show yesterday and he finished as if it was a walk over.

TRAWLERMAN bolted up and etched his name into racing history by providing Gosden another win in the race.

He deserved it, in all honestly, and the case was there to be made. He was the proven stayer in the field, unlike ILLINOIS, and he loved the ground, unlike CANDELARI.

William Buick didn’t have to do too much yesterday. TRAWLERMAN set some brilliant fractions having settled well, but the race wasn’t put to bed as they rounded the bend.

It was a two horse race as they swung into the home straight, and if you were an ILLINOIS backer, you would have had scope to shout for your horse.
However, the race was soon put to bed. TRAWLERMAN powered away, and while the race maybe wasn’t vintage, he still won well.

He’s now won a Long Distance Cup, finished second to KYPRIOS in a Gold Cup, and won a Gold Cup. Great horse.

And let’s give a quick word to GOLDEN HORN, his sire. Godolphin’s advisors dismissed him as a yearling for £200k before he went on to be a champion. He’s now producing very good horses, both over obstacles and on the Flat, and his progeny is showing there ability over staying distances.

So, what’s next for the top two in the Gold Cup?

John Gosden is keen to give TRAWLERMAN a small break because of his age, and his next run is set to be the Long Distance Cup. He’ll be hard to beat.

As for ILLINOIS, it seems like he was shoehorned into this race a year too early because of KYPRIOS, but even so, if he goes to the Gold Cup next year, he isn’t certain to stay the trip at all. He didn’t get it this year, so why will he get it next year?

Honestly, TRAWLERMAN is now in his prime. He was a monkey to start with, but he has matured over the last couple of years and turned into a smart one. Gosden will want to bring him back next year, and he’ll be the one to beat!

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