Before we examine the prospects of Eternal Force on Sunday a quick look at the victory of Song of the Clouds in the Group 3 fillies and mares at Newmarket on Friday who beat stable mate Silver Lake by a head with both 4L clear of the rest.
Although I was very positive about both in my analysis, It is always very frustrating not to put up a bet when this happens especially when they were both heavily supported.
The complexion of the race changed with the change of going and three non-runners. For future reference, as I have mentioned before, when significant money comes for any Somerville Lodge horse in the final minutes before the off, that coincides with the other leading contenders on the drift, it is worth following the market. The same scenario played out when Crown Of Crowns won at Southwell on Thursday.
Although the finish was close, moving forward Song of the Clouds has by someway the greater potential and her defeat of Silver Lake given the way the race was run and her track position, suggests at either a mile or ten furlongs she is a potential Group 1 horse.
Silver Lake ran a great race and she has the scope to win a Group 3 or an average Group 2 at 12f next season. It appears that both will stay in training and with Lilt also likely to return, the yard will have their strongest group of older staying fillies for a long time.
From the high on Friday down into the pits on Saturday where the six runners all with good chances of winning performed abysmally with four of them beaten within the first few yards.
On Sunday at Goodwood the ground has come right for Eternal Force in the Class 2 1m handicap at 4.42 but the draw in Stall 12 is horrible.
There is no encouragement to be gained from previous Somerville Lodge runners contesting 8f handicaps at the track drawn in double figure stalls. tHe record is 0-8. Only Zennor Storm, second earlier this season who was held up last and ran through beaten horses inside the final furlong, came close.
That running style will not suit Eternal Force and Marquand will probably stay wide early and get across to contest the pace. That will require him to use up vital energy and it is more than likely he will get swallowed up in the final furlong in what is an ultra competitive contest.
I will be surprised if he attracts market support and I will have to let him run unbacked.
Haggas also sends Under Arrest to contest the Nursery at 2.57 and Brighton Beach in the 9f handicap that closes the card at 5.17.
The latter has also been given a double figure draw which makes her task very difficult and she will do well to make the frame.
The 2yo Under Arrest is bred to appreciate the 9f trip in the 2.57 but his full brother Keep It Classic has been very disappointing this season and he goes to post with little confidence.
The focus now shifts towards Ascot and Almeraq on Saturday and all fingers are crossed that there is sufficient rain to give him a favorites chance of landing a 3rd Group 1 success.
Leave a Reply