14:50 Curragh (IRE) 17 Jul 2021
Paddy Power Sapphire Stakes
Group 2 | Class 1 | 3YO plus
Winner €60,000 - 8 ran
rear of mid-division, 6th halfway, headway on near side under 2f out and led early final furlong, ridden and kept on well final 100 yards
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along and headway to lead briefly over 1f out, soon ridden and no impression on winner final 100 yards
held up in rear, not clear run under 2f out, switched left in rear 1f out and ridden to go 3rd 100 yards out, kept on well
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, soon pushed along and dropped to 6th 1f out, no extra, kept on one pace final 100 yards
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along under 2f out, 3rd and ridden 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
led, pushed along 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on one pace final 100 yards
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along 2f out, ridden and no extra final furlong
held up towards rear, pushed along and some headway on far side over 1f out, ridden and no extra inside final furlong
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| Betfair SP | €14.00 |
| CSF | €106.54 (8, 1) |
| Win | €15.90 (8) |
| Place | €3.10 (8), €2.40 (1), €1.40 (4) |
| Exacta | €83.50 (8, 1) |
| Trifecta | €408.80 (8, 1, 4) |
Expert Analysis
A race won by British raiders in five of the previous six years, and usually featuring a strong representation from abroad. But it was an entirely domestic affair this time round and a weak renewal as a consequence. Sectionals show that it was close to well-run (104% finishing speed) and the overall time is solid, but the first two raced nearer the stand side than those they beat and that might have been some sort of an advantage.
MOONEISTA (112 here, 101 previously) seemed to improve significantly, though there are reasons to be cautious about that at this stage, she and the runner-up ending up away from their rivals. She was held up in touch, improved well to lead 1f out and ran on strongly for pressure. Her three wins have come at 5f but she should be effective returned to 6f.
GUSTAVUS WESTON (110 here, 109 previously) seemed to run well, tracking the pace travelling comfortably and leading for a while approaching the final 1f, with the winner nearer the stand side than the others. He showed more pace than previously but will be at least as good back at 6f.
ROMANTIC PROPOSAL (96 here, 103 previously) can be marked up a bit, running creditably all told, held up in rear and switched nearer the stand side only approaching the final 1f, running on well thereafter without posing a threat to the first two. She should be at least as good returned to 6f/7f.
MAKE A CHALLENGE(84 here, 106 previously) disappointed even after allowing for possible track disadvantage, close up but finding little after disputing the lead over 1f out. Second in this 12 months ago, he has now lost his last nine starts.
LOGO HUNTER (83 here, 111 previously) was not in the same form as when winning listed events on softer on his previous two starts, even after allowing for a possible track disadvantage, finding little after disputing the lead briefly over 1f out.
STRONG JOHNSON (83 here, 88 previously) ran about as well as could be expected for an 88-rated handicapper, leading until over 1f out.
MEASURE OF MAGIC (79 here, 104 previously) ran poorly even allowing for possibly being disadvantaged by racing towards the far side.
EROSANDPSYCHE (81 here, 98 previously) had improved of late but never looked like getting into things.
