Vision sets sights on Cup glory
Thursday 2 August 2012
Colour Vision will be seen to even better effect in the Artemis Goodwood Cup if the rain stays away, according to Godolphin's racing manager Simon Crisford.
Since joining Saeed bin Suroor from Mark Johnston at the end of last season, the four-year-old has won both of his starts in the rearranged Sagaro Stakes and the Ascot Gold Cup.
He is forced to carry a 4lb penalty for that success but Crisford believes that as long as the ground does not become soft, the Rainbow Quest gelding is capable of showing an even higher level of form.
"Colour Vision had a hard race in the Gold Cup Ascot, but he was very resolute and tough," said Crisford.
"He is much better on a quicker surface than he experienced at Ascot. We were unable to see his turn of foot there because it was such a gruelling test.
"But he has taken the race well and his work is very straightforward and settled. He has had a lot of practice through his life and we are not too concerned about the undulating nature of the racetrack.
"We think he is a little bit better than we saw at Ascot."
Bin Suroor also runs Lost In The Moment, a close-up sixth in the Melbourne Cup in November. He also finished second in this event 12 months ago.
"Lost In The Moment is a 110 horse, not a pound better than that, though if he can weave his way through tiring horses, he sometimes thinks he is a bit better than that," said Crisford.
"He might run to 112 on a good day but that still leaves him short of winning a Goodwood Cup."
Saddler's Rock bids turn the tables on Colour Vision after John Oxx's stayer was beaten only three-quarters of a length in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and reopposes on 4lb better terms.
His jockey Johnny Murtagh said: "I hope there's no rain around as we know he's better on faster ground. He ran very well at Ascot for a horse (who is) so inexperienced, especially as he hadn't had the ideal prep race as it came on heavy ground."
Murtagh added: "He's a speedy horse and he's got a 4lb turn around with the Gold Cup winner. He came out of the race well and I just hope it doesn't rain."
Saddler's Rock is a best-priced 2-1 with Blue Square, while his Ascot conqueror is 3-1 with Skybet and William Hill.
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