This weekend (12.50am Sunday, Australian time) at Sandown Park, England the 2013 Eclipse Stakes takes place. Run over at distance of 2000m its open to all thoroughbreds three years and older.
The race was first run in 1886 and is named after the celebrated 18th century horse.
Eclipse would go on to be a very important sire, nearly all current thoroughbreds can trace their line back to him.
It’s the first European Group 1 of the year where the classic generation of three year olds take on the older horses.
Unfortunately the classic generation challenge looks tame this year with only the Aidan O’Brien trained Mars stepping up.
He hasn’t had much luck in running in his last two starts at Royal Ascot and the Epsom Derby but this horse is running out of excuses and I don’t expect him to win this.
It seems favourite Al Kazeem has done nothing wrong so far this season with Group 1 wins in the Tattersall Cup and the Price of Wales Stakes.
I’m going to question the quality of form of these races. In the Prince of Wales, Al Kazeem made hard work of wearing 2nd horse Mukhadram down to win, this horse has yet to win a Group 1.
The Fugue was third that day, but trainer John Gosden hinted she would need the run so I would expect a better display today. She’s a consistent sort who’ll be up there to challenge at the end.
Prix Ganay winner Pastorius came no where in his last start in Singapore although connections claim he was affected by the humid weather so maybe he can be excused that last run.
In last years Champion stakes he finished 7 lengths behind Frankel so his performance in this race will be a good gauge for the quality of the other horses.
Declaration of War steps up in distance here and there’s also a query regarding how good his Queen Anne win was.
Despite this I don’t believe this to be a classic renewal of the Eclipse and I predict Declaration of War to improve from his last run with Al Kazeem and The Fugue behind him.
Justin Cinque
Expert
I agree, he is the best of an average lot. His consistency in Group 1s this season is refreshing because most of the horses he races have very patchy form. Credit to his connection's perseverance. The horse could easily have been sold to Australia (we'd happily have him) or be at stud after his injury last season.
johnny nevin is a legend
Roar Pro
It looks that way Alfred, Al Kazeem seems to be the best of an average lot. His trainer Roger Charlton says he's unlikely to run in the King George and will give him a break until maybe the Irish Champion stakes and the Arc. So far I haven't seen anything from Europe that will beat him in the Arc, the Japanese look like they are strongest for this race.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Alfred it seems that Al Kazeem won't be going to the King George next month. A break is on the cards before he gets prepared for the Arc. I don't know... But I like Al Kazeem and I have a high opinion of him. I think the form around him is very good (in what is a weak year) and he can only beat what's put in front of him. His effort to run down Muhkadram at Ascot was super - the win of a serious Group 1 horse. His win in the Jockey Club at Newmarket last May was awesome and the form from it also very good. The bookies keep laying him but he just keeps winning. Not by a hell of a lot, not beating great horses but he is so professional. He actually reminds me of Eremein who won many Group 1s in Sydney a few years ago. For whatever reason, Eremein is very rarely mentioned these days but at his best, he was a great horse. And like Al Kazeem, a bit injury prone. The beauty about Al Kazeem is that he runs a really strong 2000. He finishes his races off strongly and has the speed to race close by. I think he's almost bombproof at 2000m. At 2400, in an Arc, he will be tested although the distance shouldn't pose any problems. I'm not going to say he can't win it. He's still improving.
Alfred Chan
Expert
A disappointing run from The Fugue last night. I hope she bounces back. Her name is making her one of my favourite horses going around. I'm also a huge Andrew Lloyd Webber fan. I'm still not sold on Al Kazeem. I don't think he's that good. He's not beating a whole lot and I can't see him threatening the horses who will be going around in the King George/Arc.