Goldikova out to give Zenyatta a run for her money in Breeders’ Cup
Zenyatta may the undisputed queen of American racing but she may have to share some of the limelight at next month’s Breeders’ Cup meeting at Churchill Downs.
While Zenyatta will be attempting to end a perfect career, with a 20th successive victory, in defending her title in the Classic there is another mare who will be going for her own shot at immortality. No horse has won three Breeders’ Cup races but Freddie Head believes that Goldikova is in the best shape possible as she attempts a third successive victory in the Mile on November 6th.
The two great horses in Head’s career have been Miesque, the mare whom Head rode to two victories in the Mile in the 1980s, and Goldikova, who broke Miesque’s record of 10 victories in Group or Grade One races when she won the Prix de la Forêt at Longchamp three weeks ago.
It was a tour de force as Oliver Peslier had the confidence not to panic when he was taken on for the lead early in the home straight, pounced in the last half-furlong and then held Paco Boy, for the third time in as many meetings, to win by a half-length. Could it get any better? Probably not but Head would happily settle for more of the same.
“We haven't changed anything this year and had the same prep race. It was even better this year as we won the Prix de la Forêt so for the moment all is well. I don't think she can do better than she is,” he said.
Goldikova has better than all-comers in the Breeders’ Cup for the past two and Head is not unduly worried by the switch from the warmth of Santa Anita to the more European temperatures that are likely to register at Churchill. “Going to Churchill Downs this year does not change much - all the American tracks are about the same. The weather may be a little cooler. I don’t want too much rain. They have been having a very dry spell there and I hope it lasts. Even if it does rain, the ground is not going to be as soft as it was at Longchamp the other day.
"She is travelling to America on Saturday - it takes 12 hours - she ships to Louisville or Lexington with a stop at Stansted to put the English horses on the plane. She is a very good traveller and does not sweat much.”
It is the way that Goldikova travels in her races that marks her out as something special. "She is very fast - she loves the speed,” Head said, perhaps even envying Peslier’s place in the saddle. “There is no doubt that is why she is so brilliant in the States because they start fast which we do not do here - the stalls open and everybody stops and holds back.
“The faster they go, the better she is and firm ground is good for her. Her last good work will be on Thursday with Olivier but she does not need much - she is very forward in her preparation. She will then just tick over in America.”
Head may have ticked all the boxes but the one that is out of his hands is that of post-position draw. “The draw is going to be important,” he admitted. “I don’t want Goldikova to be drawn on the outside again. It will be up to Olivier how he rides the race - you have to let jockeys do what they want.”
Head may not try to give his jockey too many orders but, as in keeping with most females, Goldikova wants things pretty much her own way too. “She is a bit funny in her box - you cannot pat her - she can come at you, biting and she can kick if she does not like you,” Head said. “She has had the same lad throughout and he can do anything with her.”
However, with the diva temperament comes the talent to match. “She is extraordinary - for a trainer to have a horse like her is unbelievable - I don’t think I will train a better horse - she is very special.
“To watch her in the morning and in the afternoon, she gives exactly the same - she is brilliant - cantering she is always free with a beautiful action. She is a dream to train - you can do whatever you want with a horse like that.”
The one thing that Head wants to do now is to channel this force of energy for what is likely to be her final race. “She takes a good hold - she is that sort of horse - she has so much gas,” he said. “She is happy - in a great routine. Training is routine – 90% routine and 10% inspiration.”
If Goldikova keeps up her Breeders’ Cup routine, Zenyatta may have to share that limelight.
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