Head says Goldikova has heart to rule
British punters can be a conservative breed. It often takes time before they will trust a jockey with the ultimate accolade - their betting money – and reputations gained in other countries have cut little ice with them over the years.
Freddie Head was the six-times champion jockey of France, the winner of four Prix De l’Arc De Triomphes and 27 French Classics but he did not escape their ire in 1972. Head was riding the well-touted Lyphard in that year’s Derby but the jockey had what might be termed a little “steering trouble”.
The pair came so wide round Tattenham Corner that Head was in danger of getting his palm read by one of the women in the gypsy caravans camped beyond the rails on the Downs. Almost before Head had the chance to trail in behind Roberto one wag had awarded him the unwanted accolade of Freddie Head OBE (Oh Bugger Epsom).
However, there were other days when Head showed just how good he really was and they have continued since he switched to training, mainly with star mare Goldikova, who is the market leader for the Group One Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot on Tuesday. It will be Goldikova’s second start in this country, having won the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket last year.
The Queen Anne may be the opening race of the five-day fixture but is shaping up to be the highlight of the meeting, with both Paco Boy and Rip Van Winkle also in the line-up.
Goldikova has won eight Group Ones in her 16-race career but there were mixed messages from her last start in the Prix D’Ispahan at Longchamp last month. The mare has often needed her first run of the season, and yet she beat Byword by a half-length with the third horse another 10 lengths adrift, but Goldikova also seemed reluctant to load into the stalls, giving rise to concerns that her appetite for racing may be on the wane.
However, Head was waxing lyrical about her chances in what he concedes is one of her biggest tests yet. Speaking on attheraces he said: “I think she is very well and I have her in very good condition. Everything has gone to plan since her last run and I expect her to run a great race. It’s hard to say if she is better than ever as she has been so good, but I would think she is in the best shape I’ve ever had her.
“She won the Prix D'Ispahan over nine furlongs last time, but a mile is her distance. She is a real miler.”
One problem would appear to be the lack of a natural pacemaker in a race where, surprisingly, Aidan O’Brien has no assistance for Rip Van Winkle in the field. “I didn't want to run a pacemaker in the race,” Head explained. “I didn't have anything that could go and it's not a must. You can put her where you like and she has a very good turn of foot too. I know she will have to be at her best. It's not a walkover - we know it's a top-class race.
“I've got no problem with her at the start. She has been going into the stalls since her last race. Everything has been OK and she has run in England before and I think she will behave well. I am very hopeful she is in the best form and I think she will run a cracking race.
“I would love to win at Royal Ascot. I haven't been lucky there but I think she will turn things around.”
At Chantilly it was Alain de Royer-Dupre who was the trainer who had things going very much his way with a one-two in the Group One Prix De Diane.
Of the trainer’s three runners, all carrying the colours of the Aga Khan, Valasyra performed the job of pacemaker until Zagora took the lead in the home straight. But Christophe Lemaire already had Sarafina placed to challenge and the filly was in front with a furlong left to win by one-and-a-half lengths from stable companion Rosanara with Sandbar in third.
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