The greatest fear in the world is of the opinions of others. And the moment you are unafraid of the crowd you are no longer a sheep, you become a lion. A great roar arises in your heart, the roar of freedom.~ Osho
Boy Meets Girl
The Grand Prix de Paris Cup at London Bridge Racecourse on Saturday presents the platform for a mouthwatering return match for 3 year old’s over the epic distance of 2450m. The top two in the betting Madam Secretary and Jewelled Octagon stand out head and shoulders above the rest, but there are a few well-bred staying potentials in the lesser exposed ranks and the chances of a possible upset are on the cards.
Angel’s Flight-trained Madam Secretary Cavern is a recent world cup winner and the daughter of Grand National looks to be going places as she bids for her fifth win. Jewelled Octagon was relatively unfancied in the Grand Prix Stakes at the end of last season, but came storming home to beat a very good field.
It looks very difficult for the rest.
RECAP: ROUNDING OUT THE TOP 5
09/24/2016
| Pos | Gate | Horse | Stable | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Madam Secretary | Angel’s Flight | Alyson Comans | 2:29.350 |
| 2 | 5 | Jewelled Octagon | ghanainternational | Duncan Gasch | 2:30.838 |
| 3 | 11 | Ozy Pompey Ruler | Avery Island Stables | Laure Vreeman | 2:31.640 |
| 4 | 12 | Nate’s E-mail | swindin | Ria Pentaris | 2:32.047 |
| 5 | 4 | Bloodborne | Troublemaker’s | Ethyl Policare | 2:32.341 |
1. Madam Secretary |
3yo filly from Angel’s Flight, Career earnings: $1,324,200 Overall rating: Satisfactory(49) – Natural champion |
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Born:Fri 1st Apr 2016, bred by coniston
Lineage:By Grand National out of Hawks Mechanic
Recent form:1,1,1,1
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Stable comments: – ” I’m very intrigued to see what Madam Secretary can do in this race. After winning the So You Think Cup, I felt that the long wasn’t her best leg and that the epic race she would seem to be more at home like her champion Grandsire Guaranteed.“
2. Flying Saldana |
3yo filly from flying spurs, Career earnings: $278,500 Overall rating: Reasonable(50) – Competitive |
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Born:Fri 8th Apr 2016, bred by AAA Thoroughbreds
Lineage:By Straight Liner out of Blame Booster
Recent form:3,15,11,3
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Stable comments: – “Running for fun Saldana new and no hope at all, a long way of being ready has no experience and a real fatty. So maybe next season may show more.”
3. Riding Basheq Tex |
3yo filly from Westbury Lodge, Career earnings: $490,200 Overall rating: Satisfactory(49) – Mud-lark |
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Born:Fri 1st Apr 2016, bred by Westbury Lodge
Lineage:By Double Shot out of Stop Tuppence
Recent form:3,6,1,1,2
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Stable comments: – “Ha I wish I had a plan, but no, just had a spare horse and looking to get some XP for it. A long chance if the other horses all have some IP issues 😛 “
4. Bloodborne |
3yo filly from Troublemaker’s, Career earnings: $95,000 Overall rating: Reasonable(52) – Natural champion |
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Born:Fri 1st Apr 2016, bred by Troublemaker’s
Lineage:By Godzilla out of Cat Jar Tungsten
Recent form:7,7,7,7,2
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Stable comments: – “
5. Jewelled Octagon |
3yo colt from ghanainternational, Career earnings: $1,072,400 Overall rating: Reasonable(52) – Natural champion |
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Born:Fri 15th Apr 2016, bred by ghanainternational
Lineage:By Lambda Provoke out of Augustus Approval
Recent form:1,6,4,1
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Stable comments: – “Jewelled has a decent chance but lacks XP in epic, Madam Secretary looks the one to beat.”
6. Ordered |
3yo colt from alex park, Career earnings: $375,455 Overall rating: Average(29) – Competitive |
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Bred by:Unknown origins, birthdate Mon 30th May 2016
Lineage:Breeding history unknown
Recent form:10,2,1,4,5
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Stable comments: – “
7. Blitzer |
3yo colt from JM Racing, Career earnings: $310,900 Overall rating: Satisfactory(48) – Stalker |
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Born:Fri 1st Apr 2016, bred by New Scotland Yard
Lineage:By Laak Attack out of Ivey League
Recent form:3,3,13,4
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Stable comments: – “
8. Finnish Hieghts |
3yo filly from Dopey Donkeys Digs, Career earnings: $90,000 Overall rating: Satisfactory(49) – Fast finisher |
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Born:Fri 15th Apr 2016, bred by Dixon Racing
Lineage:By Secret Phantom out of Maximum Meytal
Recent form:3
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Stable comments: – “
9. Empires |
3yo filly from Rawhide, Career earnings: $81,500 Overall rating: Satisfactory(48) – Fast finisher |
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Born:Fri 1st Apr 2016, bred by Rawhide
Recent form:3,4
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Stable comments: – “Empires is a decent young horse, but in this race will come up against some excellent horses. A place would be a surprise.”
10. Pongo Rockn |
3yo filly from Chaotic Neutral, Career earnings: $151,000 Overall rating: Satisfactory(46) – Natural champion |
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Born:Fri 1st Apr 2016, bred by Fourmyle Stables
Lineage:By Caorunn out of Spikel Zipped
Recent form:6,5
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Stable comments: – “I think we have three strong contenders for the win. Madam Secretary has shown her class in taking down the SYT cup, so no one should discount her. Flying Saldana has shown some good pace, too. And, for me at least, the most impressive performance came from Jewelled Octagon showing a blistering pace. All three started with a new jockey pairing so chemistry is only going to improve. Madam Secretary and Flying Saldana may just have the edge in preparation; they could well be a tad fitter than Jewelled Octagon going into the final.
As for the chances of my little pony, Pongo Rockn: She is my first own bred and still a fair bit off the pace OR-wise. In addition, I missed a vet session so I doubt she’ll be fit enough to challenge. I would be delighted with a top 5 finish for her. Realistically, though, I see her in the bottom half. Still good to see how she’ll fare against the best in class.”
11. Ozy Pompey Ruler |
3yo colt from Avery Island Stables, Career earnings: $393,728 Overall rating: Satisfactory(46) – Mud-lark |
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Born:Fri 1st Apr 2016, bred by JEDIMIND
Lineage:By Pompey Plodder out of Peyton Alfie
Recent form:1,1,5,1,1
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Stable comments: – “
12. Nate’s E-mail |
3yo colt from swindin, Career earnings: $332,050 Overall rating: Satisfactory(46) – Natural champion |
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Born:Fri 1st Apr 2016, bred by swindin
Lineage:By Alex Arking Vuote out of Jingo Firm Worry
Recent form:10,4,4
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Stable comments: – “Have struggled to get best out of horse, a change of riding instructions could help. Outsider chance.”