St. Leger - Top Lock?

[Betsy]

Hi guys......

I'm trying to keep tabs on all Nayef offspring, so I was disappointed to hear that Top Lock had finished 2nd yet again in a group stakes. Was it a good race for him, enough to send him on to the St. Leger as a contender? I'd love to see him win one of these one day.....

Also, have there been any promising Nayef 2 year olds to keep an eye on? It seems like he might have a decent colt in Nafaath, who's running at Cork tomorrow, but haven't heard of anyone else. I'd love to see Nayef solidify his very good first crop with some promising babies......

Lastly - does Lady Marian have a shot in the Prix de la Nonette tomorrow? She seems like she's really coming into her own, though I'm sure she'll be meeting better than she has been.

Thanks so much!

[brockguy]

I only really saw the race in passing, but the winner looked like he just pulled more and more out and Top Lock, though he looked very threatening 2f out, just ran out of a bit of steam.. He is still in the Leger with a decent shout - it looks to be very open this year, but I think Michael Stoute will get his elusive first Leger win with Conduit..

Nafaath was just beaten this afternoon in Cork. He came third beaten two heads.. It could have been a decent enough maiden (as an aside, the Irish juveniles are sensational this year - Arazan was unreal yesterday and Bushranger who wouldnt be the best Irish juvi here won the G1 in france today!)
and Lady Marian won , I have a soft spot for German Breds so delighted she won..

[Betsy]

Thanks, Brockguy!

I was disappointed to hear that Nafaath lost, but he seems like a decent sort anyway.

Did you see Lady Marian's race? I was so excited that she won this morning, but then I heard that the favorite encountered some trouble and might have won without it. I hope that's not the case here, but even so......Lady Marian is definitely improving. She's an interesting filly to follow the remainder of this year and into next.

Top Lock will run next year, so I'm just going to hope that he continues to run well. Eventually he'll win a stakes and I certainly can't complain with his efforts. He always gives it a good try.

[my miss storm cat]

Stupid question but I'm not awake yet... was Top Lock in the German Derby?

I know I've heard the name but not sure where.

Glad to hear your girl won today, Betsy.

[brockguy]

yeah i think he was 3rd in it.

Lady Marian was 2nd in the German Oaks as well!

[my miss storm cat]

Thanks, Brock.

[Betsy]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

Stupid question but I'm not awake yet... was Top Lock in the German Derby?

I know I've heard the name but not sure where.

Glad to hear your girl won today, Betsy.

Yes, he was - finished 3rd. One of these days, he'll get there!

Thanks, My Miss Storm Cat! I am thoroughly enjoying following Nayef's offspring. I've always liked European racing, but I've only occasionally had a favorite horse do well. I had completely forgotten about Nayef, to be honest, and I'm rather ashamed as I just adored him as a racehorse. I'm so happy that he's gotten off to such a good start at stud.

The QEII looks to be a corker of a race if HenrytheNavigator goes, with Tamayuz and Ravens Pass.....

Just one more question - hope you don't mind! Have you heard anything about Spacious? I heard she was pointing for a fall campaign.......I'm hoping she's improved since the Coronation. That was disappointing for me, but since the winner has gone on to take the Yorkshire Oaks, it can't have been too bad a race for her.

Thanks!

[my miss storm cat]

I don't really follow her (too busy checking on my Hong Kong boys and assorted third-rate types ) but looked around a little and found this.....

Here's hoping!


Leopardstown 6 September 2008
2:40 COOLMORE FUSAICHI PEGASUS MATRON STAKES (GROUP 1) (FILLIES & MARES) (3yo+) Winner £ 1m


No. Form Horse Trainer RTF % Wgt Jockey
0 0433-4 Arch Swing 105 John M Oxx 4 9-3 126 68 — 0-6
0 201501 Baharah 43 G A Butler 4 9-3 126 113 — 2-5
0 1-0312 Cheyenne Star 36 Ms F M Crowley 5 9-3 123 95 — 4-9
0 982316 Dimenticata 41 Kevin Prendergast 4 9-3 116 109 — 2-6
0 26-190 Dollar Chick 22 Noel Meade 4 9-3 96 91 — 0-1
0 -52397 Finsceal Beo 59 J S Bolger 4 9-3 131 122 — 3-8
0 -11234 Heaven Sent 35 Sir Michael Stoute 5 9-3 126 122 — 3-11
0 1-2219 Lady Gloria 59 J G Given 4 9-3 117 112 — 2-13
0 005468 Majestic Roi 35 M R Channon 4 9-3 124 111 — 1-6
0 872650 Mooretown Lady 70 H Rogers 5 9-3 105 97 — 1-12
0 31-115 Sabana Perdida 34 A De Royer-Dupre 5 9-3 125 119 — 6-14
0 355022 She´s Our Mark 24 Patrick J Flynn 4 9-3 124 84 — 2-6
0 721246 Age Of Chivalry 20 John M Oxx 3 8-12 119 112 — 0-0
0 113341 Carribean Sunset 20 D K Weld 3 8-12 126 119 — 2-6
0 1-2311 Halfway To Heaven 35 A P O´Brien 3 8-12 124 121 — 1-2
0 -90084 Kitty Matcham 20 A P O´Brien 3 8-12 111 104 — 0-3
0 1221- Listen 343 A P O´Brien 3 8-12 126 122 — 1-1
0 615121 Lush Lashes 15 J S Bolger 3 8-12 132 129 — 1-3
0 33-228 Mad About You 55 D K Weld 3 8-12 125 118 — 0-2
0 057614 Nahoodh 34 M Johnston 3 8-12 127 126 — 1-5
0 767514 Psalm 24 A P O´Brien 3 8-12 116 115 — 0-2
0 13-335 Saoirse Abu 104 J S Bolger 3 8-12 122 115 — 0-3
0 11-24 Spacious 78 J R Fanshawe 3 8-12 123 118 — 1-3
0 12d8-21 Visit 36 Sir Michael Stoute 3 8-12 119 105 — 0-1
0 21218- You´resothrilling 380 A P O´Brien 3 8-12 - - — 0-0

[NoChanceToDance]

Originally Posted by Betsy

Yes, he was - finished 3rd. One of these days, he'll get there!

Thanks, My Miss Storm Cat! I am thoroughly enjoying following Nayef's offspring. I've always liked European racing, but I've only occasionally had a favorite horse do well. I had completely forgotten about Nayef, to be honest, and I'm rather ashamed as I just adored him as a racehorse. I'm so happy that he's gotten off to such a good start at stud.

The QEII looks to be a corker of a race if HenrytheNavigator goes, with Tamayuz and Ravens Pass.....

Just one more question - hope you don't mind! Have you heard anything about Spacious? I heard she was pointing for a fall campaign.......I'm hoping she's improved since the Coronation. That was disappointing for me, but since the winner has gone on to take the Yorkshire Oaks, it can't have been too bad a race for her.

Thanks!

Spacious was very disappointing in the coronation and no one quite knows why. Her trainer, James Fanshawe has had a terrible season by his standards and things don't seem to be improving for him. So with his current form (although he has had a couple of winners of late, but also many disappointments) it would be hard to see them risk such a good filly. That's just the way I see it.

It's been a tough year for many trainers this year who you would usually expect to have a few decent winners. James Fanshawe, John Dunlop and Barry Hills have all had dreadful seasons by their usual high standard.