15:00 Newmarket 11 Oct 2024
Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards Challenge Stakes
group 2 | Class 1 | 3YO plus
Winner £70,888 - 11 ran
close up, headway going well to press leader over 2f out, pushed along to lead over 1f out, soon clear, driven out, easily
raced isolated near side, headway going well over 3f out, pushed along over 1f out, ran on gamely, not match winner
led, took keen hold, pressed over 2f out, soon pushed along, headed over 1f out, kept on willingly, just held 3rd post
mid-division, driven along over 2f out, moderate headway under pressure over 1f out, ran on final furlong, denied 3rd post
chased leaders, headway under pressure over 2f out, plugged on same pace, not pace to challenge
centre-pack, pushed along over 3f out, outpaced over 1f out, plugged on, made no impression
in rear division, moderate headway under pressure from over 2f out, never reaching leaders
towards rear, pushed along when outpaced over 2f out, soon lost touch, never a danger
held up in touch, pushed along over 2f out, outpaced over 1f out, soon no extra, eased final furlong
slowly into stride in rear, driven along over 2f out, soon lost touch, never better than rear division
prominent on outer, pushed along when outpaced over 2f out, soon dropped towards rear, weakened tamely
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| CSF | £13.50 (7, 5) |
| Tricast | £68.72 (7, 5, 4) |
| Win | £4.00 (7) |
| Place | £1.90 (7), £1.60 (5), £2.40 (4) |
| Swinger | £5.90 (4, 5), £4.90 (4, 7), £3.80 (5, 7) |
| Exacta | £17.70 (7, 5) |
| Trifecta | £110.10 (7, 5, 4) |
Expert Analysis
What looked a fairly open and competitive Group 2 was turned into a rout by the French-trained challenger Topgear who won in a style seldom seen at this distance and level. It is likely that his rivals failed to run right up to their best for one reason or another but he still deserves credit for a very smart effort indeed.
The pace was quite strong, with everything coming back in a finishing speed below 100%, the winner’s final 2f of 24.24s on ground that was slightly closer to “good” than “good to soft” judged on times equal to 99.6%.
TOPGEAR (119 here, 109 previously) won in remarkable fashion and could prove top-notch given an extended run at 7f/1400m in 2025 (may also be effective at testing 6f/1200m), close up and going well when leading just before 2f out, soon forging clear and pushed out after wandering briefly. He had a mid-season break but has looked a different proposition since it.
ROYAL SCOTSMAN (102+ here, 114 previously) is running out of time to make a big impact this season but did shape quite encouragingly here after a 132-day break, racing solo up the stand rail and quite close up, shaken up 2f out and keeping on.
QUINAULT (98 here, 109 previously) ran respectably at a trip that is a maximum for him, missing a beat at the start but soon leading and racing with the choke out, headed just over 2f out and keeping on better than most.
TEN BOB TONY (97+ here, 108 previously) had finished close behind Topgear the time before but could run only respectably here, outpaced after halfway before plugging on. His very best efforts have been around this trip but he promises to be as good at 8f.
NOBLE DYNASTY (93 here, 112 previously) ran poorly again and is under a cloud right now, tracking the pace but quickly beaten after 2f out.
WITNESS STAND (78 here, 115 previously) had definite claims on the form of his last 3 efforts (especially his Newbury listed win) but ran a lifeless race, as he has from time to time.
GREAT GENERATION (67 here, 107 previously) ran poorly, never really on terms.
VETIVER (67 here, 103 previously) was never on terms and not knocked about late.
SHOULDVEBEENARING (64 here, 106 previously) ran poorly but was given an easy time of things when held.
JUMBY (53 here, 107 previously)
POGO (45 here, 105 previously)
