Strong Suit’s connections confident that he will not get intimidated by Goldikova in the Breeders’ Cup Mile
Prospects for Strong Suit in the Breeders’ Cup Mile have hiked due to the somewhat dismal performance of his main competitor, Goldikova along with the almost lethal improvement that Strong Suit has put up gradually race after race.
The reason that Goldikova poses such an intense threat is because she has been winning the Breeders’ Cup Mile ever since she was a three-year-old. She won the title in 2008, 2009 and 2010 under Olivier Peslier.
Her five starts this season have only resulted in two wins and the rest have been a disappointment as far as her previous records are concerned. Goldikova won at Longchamp on 22nd May at the Group 1 Prix D’Ispahan against Mme C Barande-Barbe trained
Cirrus Des Aigles.
The next victory was again a Group 1 at Deauville on 31st July where Goldikova claimed the title against Rod Collet’s Sahpresa who was followed by Timepiece trained by Sir Henry Cecil, finishing third in line.
The Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes on14th June at Ascot was lost in rivalry with Canford Cliffs, and the Group 1 Prix Du Haras De Fresnay-Le-Buffard at Deauville on 15th August went in favour of Immortal Verse leaving Goldikova as a runner
up.
Her last attempt before the Breeders’ Cup was in the Group 1 Qatar Prix De La Foret at Longchamp on 2nd October which she lost against to now retired Dream Ahead.
Not that she performed miserably, a runner up’s position too is not a very minor deal but her earlier records are reflective of an altogether different approach.
"Goldikova is the horse they've got to beat - she's a legend. But he (Strong Suit) would certainly be the biggest threat, I would think. Goldikova is such a wonderfully admirable, tough and consistent mare. The problem is her style of running slightly sets
her up to be shot down by a finisher”. Said David Redvers.
Strong Suit has been able to amass three victories out of five runs this season, in Group 3 Jersey Stakes on 15th June at the Ascot, and in Group 2 Lennox Stakes on 26th July at Goodwood and then in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes on 8th
October at Newmarket.
The race at Newmarket turned out to be the most remarkable as Strong Suit was able to leave Sir Henry Cecil’s Chachamaidee as a runner up and St Leger winner trainer John Gosden trained Maqaasid positioned third in the race.
Contesting and defeating competition of this level truly entitles Strong Suit to contest at the Breeders’ Cup Mile.
"I think she does look beatable. You'd be very foolish to discount her, but I think we've got the right horse to take her on”. David Redvers said.
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