Tom Queally
Queally’s Corner - Midday to be crowned Queen
2 June 2011
I can’t wait to get back on Midday in the (Investec) Coronation Cup at Epsom. Judging from her homework, I have to say she has improved no end from her York run.
Obviously we have St Nicholas Abbey to beat, but it’s difficult to know what sort of horse is going to turn up. I’d much rather be on a consistent proven performer than a relative unknown quantity.
Midday has won five Group 1 races and was by no means tuned up for her reappearance at York. She also had to give weight away and beat a useful field fairly comfortably that day. She is a real favourite of mine and I’m surprised she’s not leading the market.
Another filly I have a soft spot for is Timepiece, who runs in the opening Princess Elizabeth Stakes. I’ve made no secret of the high regard I hold her in, and I think she could have a really good season.
She made a pleasing reappearance to come third behind Midday at York and should be spot on for this. We have Godolphin’s (Antara) to beat, but I certainly think Timepiece will give her something to think about.
I am at Doncaster on Saturday – rather than at Epsom – but I certainly won’t be thinking ‘oh what if Frankel was running in the Derby.’
We have our own agenda with Frankel. No-one in the camp thought he would stay, so that’s the end of it really. My gut feeling was that he wouldn’t last the Derby trip, and while we might never know, you have to go with your gut, and on the evidence of what we’ve seen.
I’ve got a horse of a lifetime to enjoy this season, so missing the Derby isn’t a big deal for me.
I do think Carlton House will win. And if he lines up – then I am positive he will be 100 per cent, so I wouldn’t have worries on that front if you were backing him. Sir Michael (Stoute) would not risk him if he wasn’t spot on.
I rode World Domination in the Dante, and I was impressed by the way Carlton House was able to quicken off that slow pace, and then finish off his race. He did absolutely everything right, and won the best trial there is. It’s not very original but Pour Moi looks the danger. Andre Fabre is an absolute genius – despite never winning the Derby – an omission I’m sure he’ll put right soon.
As for Doncaster, I ride Barney McGrew in the feature race, the seven-furlong handicap. He’s an eight-year-old now and shows no signs of slowing down for Michael Dods, who is having a great season. He collects a big race every season, and hopefully it will be his turn here.
I think Eland Ally must have a great chance in the closing maiden. He ran a very good race to come fourth at York last time, and a similar run to that will put him with a great chance of winning.
Looking further ahead, it looks like we will have a dozen or so horses running at Royal Ascot, and I’ll get my agent into gear to find some rides around them.
I’ll go into more detail later, but one clash I’m looking forward to is Twice Over taking on So You Think. You couldn’t help but be impressed by the manner of the So You Think’s win at The Curragh last time, despite not beating that much.
He’ll be the one we’ll be worried about, but similarly I think they should be worried about Twice Over. He’ll be back over his ideal trip, knows the course and was unlucky not to win the race there last year. Again, he’s a proven Group 1 performer, while we haven’t see So You Think beat that much over here. It should be great race.
First thing’s first - enjoy the Derby weekend!
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Tom,you really must stop riding every horse,as if you are ridingFrankel.Your ride on Midday was frankly amatureish.You surely must realise that kickingfor home 4 furlongs is not and never will be the best way to ride the mare.
Paul Watson | 8 months ago