Robin Oakley

The Turf

Curious event

issue 01 October 2005

One back for Australia, even if it took an Italian trainer and a French jockey to do it for them. Loping round Newmarket’s pre-parade ring on Saturday in the shadow of Brigadier Gerard’s statue, the sun glinting on his massive shoulders, the deep-chested Starcraft looked immense. He stands 17 hands, and the white bandages on his two back legs only emphasised that his feet are the size of soup plates. But then in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes he showed us that he has a stride and an engine to match.

Considering that it was the mile championship of Europe, the race itself was a curious event. Philip Robinson took Rakti to the centre of the course. Other jockeys know he is a shrewd tactician, which is perhaps why Kieren Fallon, on Mullins Bay, and Frankie Dettori, on Dubawi, went with him.

Starcraft, meanwhile, participated in a second three-horse race down the stands rail in company with Blatant, supposedly there as Dubawi’s pacemaker, and Sleeping Indian.

Comments

Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.

Already a subscriber? Log in