Red Verdon
With the weather finally starting to pay attention to the calendar, there is an altogether sunnier disposition around HQ. While this may be in part due to the relenting of the rains, it is also firmly fuelled by the anticipation of the two glorious days of racing that lie ahead. Guineas weekend always brings this sense of excitement to the fore, and as the protagonists emerge from the dip, so too will the hopes and dreams of all their connections. It looks a strong renewal this year and I wish all participants the very best of good luck.
Today I run Red Verdon in the Dunaden Jockey Club Stakes. Traditionally, this is a strongly contested Group 2, and this year’s race promises to uphold this tradition. A select five go to post, each one meriting their place in the field. Roger Varian has supplemented Sheikh Mohammed Obaid's 4yr old Defoe, and after his romp in the John Porter Stakes at Newbury he is a worthy favourite and will take all the beating. I can report Red Verdon to be in very good form. He ran well when beaten ¾ of a length finishing 4th in the Marathon Finals over 2m at Lingfield on Good Friday, and the drop back in trip shouldn’t inconvenience him. On ratings he has ground to make up with Defoe, Count Octave, and Khalidi, but he is a horse I have always liked, and I am hoping he can prove the figures to be incorrect. The better ground should also be to Verdon’s liking, but I fear Defoe may be relaxing on the beach while the rest are still swimming to the shore!
Enjoy the Guineas.
All the best,
Ed.