Whirling Curlin is still one to beat

I can’t believe a year has gone by since race fans witnessed atrocious conditions at the Breeders’ Cup meeting at Monmouth Park last October, and before we know it, the countdown to the thoroughbred world championships is well under way.

If there was anything to get the pulses racing ahead of the eagerly anticipated event at the end of the month it was none more so than at Belmont Park and Santa Anita on Saturday which saw the mighty Curlin destroy his rivals in the Jockey Club Gold Cup under conditions which represented a dismal scene from Burnham on Sea rather than a Grade One race track.

Nevertheless, the Steve Asmussen-trained powerhouse clocked another victory in the G1 contest and also added another large wad to his bulging bank balance.

He is now officially the world’s richest racehorse.

At least he’ll be able to afford a decent home when he retires.

I would still love to see him given another chance on the turf but I suppose, "if it aint broke, why fix it?" He will surely be extremely hard to peg back come October 25.

HOT COCOA

On the other side of the pond, Ravens Pass eventually got the better of his arch rival, Henrythenavigator in the Q E II Stakes at Ascot and John Gosden reports a tilt at the 2000m Breeders’ Cup Classic looks more likely rather than the mile event. If so, he will of course be taking on Curlin (winner last year) therefore, he might as well stay at home.

On to the fillies division and Gosden also announced that Rainbow View, who was outstanding in the Fillies’ Mile on the same card at Ascot last week is a likely runner in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ on the new surface at the track, and will side step an automatic invitation to run in the turf equivalent.

A bold move from the master at Clarehaven Stables could well be justified and I feel the ante-post favourite for the 2009 1,000 Guineas could provide the Europeans with a welcome victory.

I’m lucky I’ve got the chance to write this rather than speak as I would really be stuttering over my words eager to talk about what has been such a cracking past few days.

Continuing on a female line, and with the help of Dubai Racing Channel I hope you were able to witness another thrilling performance from Dubai’s very own, Cocoa Beach in the Beldame Stakes, also at Belmont Park.

The dual UAE Classic heroine looked a potential star beating last year’s Distaff winner Ginger Punch in the G1 contest and it would be a fantastic end to what has been a slightly disappointing UK season for Godolphin if this giant of a horse scores in three weeks’ time.

Mike de Kock also saddled another winner courtesy of Lucky Find in a valuable conditions race at Great Leighs which had been put on as a trial for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. It looks unlikely that de Kock’s charge will chase home Curlin again and a return to these shores for the Carnival is on the cards.