15:35 Goodwood 30 Jul 2021
King George Qatar Stakes
Group 2 | Class 1 | 3YO plus
Winner £170,130 - 13 ran
raced keenly, held up in last trio, smooth headway and switched left inside final 2f, led 1f out, soon clear, ran on strongly
front rank, headway to go prominent over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, ran on but no chance with winner
held up out wide, headway chasing leaders over 1f out, 3rd and one pace inside final furlong, no chance with winner
chased leaders, led over 1f out until ridden and headed 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, weakened into 4th soon after
held up, ran on late, never on terms
outpaced in rear, headway near side of group over 1f out, some late headway, never going pace to get involved
front rank out wide, went prominent halfway, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, outpaced towards rear far side of group, pushed along and struggling halfway, never on terms
chased leader, led 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened quickly final furlong
chased leaders, weakened inside final 2f
quickly away, led until 2f out, starting to lose place when hampered inside final 2f
held up in last trio, near side of group, never a factor
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| Betfair SP | £7.91 |
| CSF | £23.13 (13, 11) |
| Tricast | £378.59 (13, 11, 9) |
| Win | £7.60 (13) |
| Place | £2.10 (13), £1.40 (11), £3.10 (9) |
| Swinger | £7.50 (9, 11), £12.20 (9, 13), £4.10 (11, 13) |
| Exacta | £27.30 (13, 11) |
| Trifecta | £382.40 (13, 11, 9) |
Expert Analysis
Something of a procession for Battaash in recent years, but, with that one on the wane, plenty took their chances here, including some decidedly smart sprinters, and it took a high-class performance from Suesa to dominate the finish. It helped for her to be a few lengths back, and covered from the headwind, but her finishing speed of 102% reflects a power-packed finish and there should be no doubt that she was comfortably best on the day. The runners raced away from the stand rail.
SUESA (122 here, 110 previously) showed why many fancied her at Royal Ascot for the Commonwealth Cup, for which she started favourite but in which she met her only defeat, with as good a display as has been seen at sprint trips in Europe this season, things panning out well for her in that she was a few lengths off a strong pace and covered from the headwind, shaken up well over 1f out and switched slightly left before coming with a strong run to lead 1f out and soon clear. Her previous wins were at 5.5f/6f and a return to that would be no problem.
DRAGON SYMBOL (113 here, 116 previously) ran creditably once again, at the minimum trip for just the second time, going the pace comfortably enough in second rank but having to pick his way through, switched right approaching the final 1f then edging further right but running on well. He shows no signs of a busy spell catching up with him.
GLASS SLIPPERS (104 here, 110 previously) ran encouragingly on her first start since winning the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint in November, in mid/rear before improving nicely then carried right for a few strides and unable to quicken. She should be back to her best with this under her belt.
ARECIBO (98 here, 107 previously) was a bit below form but deserves extra credit in racing more prominently than is often the case, one paced in the final 1f.
KEEP BUSY (94 here, 103 previously) is in just respectable form but finished about as close as could be expected, making headway from mid/rear until flattening out late on.
STONE OF DESTINY (97 here, 102 previously) is just a handicapper, albeit a useful one, and ran as well as could be expected, never a danger from last.
BATTAASH (95 here, 121 previously) went out with a whimper rather than a bang, retired on the back of this, but going well for a long way and even leading for a stride or two approaching the final 1f before emptying. At his best – such as in a 4-length win in this in 2018 and as a record-smashing winner of the Nunthorpe the following year – he was as good an out-and-out 5f performer as seen this century, capable of breaking 10.0s for a furlong (45 mph) with little apparent effort.
ART POWER (88 here, 115 previously) ran poorly, not as quickly away as usual and always behind.
GOOD EFFORT (86 here, 109 previously) is not quite this level but showed his customary speed until approaching the final 1f.
LIBERTY BEACH (79 here, 108 previously) ran poorly though did go freely quite close up until past halfway.
ZARGUN (77 here, 95 previously)
ORNATE (76 here, 86 previously)
UBETTABELIEVEIT (60 here, 107? previously) has shown little this year.
