THE ECLIPSE STAKES OF 2002

(To be run at Sundown on 6 July 2002)

By Sarah Whitelaw
 4 July 2002
 

Aiden O’Brien looks to maintain his stranglehold on major British races here. He has the talented Hawk Wing in this prestigious race which he won two years ago with the Iron Horse (Giant's Causeway). 

Hawk Wing has long been hyped as a champion by the Ballydoyle team and was a desperately unlucky second in the English 2000 Guineas, finishing second to the tough Rock of Gibraltar. He then finished an excellent second in the Epsom Derby to another stablemate, High Chaparral, who was a fluent winner of the Irish Derby at his subsequent start. The son of Woodman looks set to win his second Group 1 race, having won the National Stakes last year, beating Irish Derby second Sholokhov. 

It will not be easy for the three year old as he takes on some of the best older horses around. His main rival could come from the talented and unbeaten Equerry. A half brother to ill fated champion Tempera, Equerry was an easy winner of the La Coupe at Longchamp last time out. He won  a Group 3 last season defeating Arc third Sagacity and looks as if he would have the class to compete here. The son of St Jovite looks a big danger to the hot favourite, Hawk Wing. 

His stablemate Noverre is a consistent performer but is usually the bridesmaid, not the bride. Arazi’s little brother needs the ground to be in his favour. Noverre is a class horse, as his impressive win in the Sussex Stakes last year proved, but he may be best at a mile. He is an uncertain runner. 

Sholokhov is an improving colt as his fine second to High Chaparral in the Irish Derby suggests. This race may come a bit soon and he may need further, but he has the class to give the more fancied runners a run for their money. 

Sir Michael Stoute won this race last year with a son of Machiavellian, Medicean, and is represented this year by another in No Excuse Needed. The colt was a game winner of the Queen Anne Stakes, the same race won by Medicean. It remains to be seen if he can carry his form over the additional distance. 

John Dunlop is represented by Olden Times. The son of Darshaan won the Prix Jean Prat last year and was third in the St James Palace Stakes but has been disappointing since. He is another who depends on the going. 


SELECTION:

1. Hawk Wing

2. Equerry

3. No Excuse Needed


 


THE SUBURBAN HANDICAP

(To be run at Belmont on 6 July 2002)

By Sarah Whitelaw
4 July 2002

 


The Suburban Handicap is one of America’s oldest and most prestigious races. This year a small but talented field compete for the race, won by the likes of Tom Fool, Buckpasser, Bold Ruler and Skip Away.

Macho Uno was champion two year old of his year. He defeated by Point Given and Street Cry in the Breeders Cup Juvenile, form which has worked out well. A half brother to one of the more underrated horses of the 1990’s, Awesome Again, Macho Uno is unbeaten this year in two starts. He won an allowance race defeating subsequent grade 2 winner Hail The Chief. A fluent winner of the Mass Cap, won in the past by Cigar and Skip Away, Macho Uno defeated Grade 1 winners Include and Mongoose.

Lido Palace was one of the better handicappers of last year. He defeated Albert the Great in the Whitney, the latter winning over three million dollars, and followed that by beating champion Tiznow in the prestigious Woodward Stakes. His trainer, Bobby Frankel, has dominated Grade 1 races in the USA over the last two years and has the strongest team of older horses in America. The son of Rich Man’s Gold was disappointing in his sole start this year, when fourth to Redattore, but should he recapture his best form, he will be right there.

Evening Attire is a son of Horse of the Year Black Tie Affair. The colt defeated Street Cry, current favourite for the Breeders Cup Classic, in the Discovery Handicap a few runs back but looks held by Macho Uno.

Seeking Daylight was an impressive winner of the Brooklyn Handicap. A son of Seeking the Gold from the family of Touch Gold and Izvestia, the colt is improving and could give the more established runners a fright. He was most impressive when demolishing the Brooklyn field ,which included the classy E Dubai and Kentucky Derby runner up Invisible Ink, by eight lengths.

The remaing runner is Country Be Gold who was a well beaten second to Seeking Daylight on his last start.

SELECTION:

1. Macho Uno

2. Seeking Daylight

3. Lido Palace