Goodwood - Sussex Stakes 2009

Racing Uk's coverage of the 2009 Sussex Stakes from Goodwood

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Sports

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• Sussex
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[GBeret83]

IMO, this was the best that Rip Van Winkle ever looked in any of his G1 stakes races at a mile during his career. He ran big races at 10f in the 09' Coral-Eclipse and in the 10' Juddmonte International Stakes, but a mile, I don't think he ever showed a turn of foot this potent in any of his mile races at Ascot. He beat Paco Boy and a cracking good filly Ghanaati with a good bit in hand in this race.

[GBeret83]

Of Rip Van Winkle's 5 win's, this may have been his career best win? I know he beat a very, very deep field at York in the 2010 Juddmonte International Stakes. But I'm pretty sure he Rip got a higher Timeform # for this race than he did his win at York?? Paco Boy was one of the premier milers in the world at this time, and Rip totally dominated him in this race!! JMO.

[bgardiner2000]

@GBeret83 Yeah his Juddmonte win was easily his best run... which is where his rating came from. His best RPR is 132... So You Think finished with a 128. My honest opinion is that, if SYT acclimatizes, and they get him near his best at Balleydoyle he would account for Rip Van Winkle. I think that Workforce (on his Arc form) and Fame and Glory will be the two best 1 1/2 horses in Europope next year. So You Think is still a bit of an unknown at that level. No doubt though that he's got the talent.

[GBeret83]

Rip stole first run on Paco Boy in the Sussex Stakes in 2009 and it worked to perfection. Ryan Moore stole first run with Rip Van Winkle in the 2010 Sussex Stakes. But Canford Cliffs stamped that denied!!! The margin of victory for Canford Cliffs is in the 2010 Sussex Stakes is really misleading. Richard Hughes basically hand rode Canford Cliffs right on by Rip Van Winkle. The finish just looked closer because Canford Cliffs started his run at Rip Van Winkle late in the race. JMO.

[azertyuiop32]

@GBeret83 i would have to agree with you that the RIPs ability has been based more on reputation than actual achievement. he was thrown in at the deep end in the queen anne this year against some top class horses so i am not going to write him off as his performance in the sussex last year was a top drawer performance

[azertyuiop32]

@GBeret83 agreed. you do make a good point.

the one thing paco boy has over rip van winkle is race fitness and a conformation of his well being. it looks like a great race in paper but if rip van winkle gets there in top form i think the 3/1 on offer is a big price.

[GBeret83]

@azertyuiop32, I clearly understand the point that you're trying to make. But Paco Boy does have two nice run's, and win's under his belt already this season. Rip Van Winkle has been in the barn for a long time. I'm just saying that Paco Boy may prove to be a difficult foe in the Queen Anne Stakes at Ascot. Especially if Rip displays any sign's of lay-off rust. Like F&G did in April. I'd just hate to see Rip thrown into a race against Paco Boy and Goldikova first time out in 2010. Difficult IMO.

[azertyuiop32]

@GBeret83 paco boy has beat nothing in his 2 races this season. in the lockinge his only rival on form firgures, zaccinto, ran no sort of race at all.

paco boys limitations were well and truly exposed by rip van winkle in this race where he was there ot be shot at if paco boy was good enough.

[GBeret83]

@henryfan9, unless there's been a change in circumstances that I'm unaware of? The last article that I read about Goldikova, about a month ago, allbeit on a U.S. racing web-site, said that Goldikova would likely either go to Ascot or possibly back to the Falmouth Stakes in July? Just passing along what I read. I'm sure the European web-sites are much more accurate about her status though.

[GBeret83]

Paco Boy has started out the 2010 racing season looking pretty impressive in the Bet365 Mile at Sandown, and toying with the Lockinge Stakes field at Newbury. Goldikova, as well, dominated her opening 2010 race in France. Making Stacelita look like an allowance level filly in the Prix d'Ispahan. Still waiting to see what Rip Van Winkle brings to the table to start his 2010 season? But it will have to be something pretty special to top Paco Boy and Goldikova. IMO.