Kingdom Of Fife

Kingdom Of Fife ran out a really impressive winner of what is usually a highly competitive 10-furlong handicap, the Zetland Gold Cup, at Redcar on Monday. Bounced out of the stalls by Ryan Moore, the son of Kingmambo was quickly moving over towards the inside rail from his draw in stall seven, and had bagged the lead and the rail before they reached the nine-furlong pole. Once there, Moore steadied things a little, with the result that there was a little bit of scrimmaging in behind, and he was essentially afforded an easy time of it at the head of affairs until the top of the home straight, which was to his huge advantage. It is almost certain that it didn’t make any difference, however, such was the authority of this victory. Moore allowed his mount stride on from a half a mile out, then got down to the drive position as they passed the two furlong pole. He quickly took two lengths out of his closest pursuer Military Power, and set about establishing a race-winning lead, which he duly did. Four lengths clear inside the final furlong, Nanton did reduce the margin to two and a half lengths with a finishing burst which was all too late, but the winner always had things well under control.

There is an argument to say that Nanton was a little unlucky. Well backed, he had to sit and suffer at the back of the field as Moore dictated things up front, and he did come with a really strong finishing run inside the final furlong when it was all too late. However, it never looked likely that he would get close to the winner.

Kingdom Of Fife was Ryan Moore’s only ride at Redcar on Monday, so they obviously thought enough of him at home to merit a trip north for the champ. A progressive individual throughout last season, he was really well backed on his debut this term at Chester when, with Ryan Moore putting up 3lb overweight, he got going just too late and failed by a short head to overhaul Cheshire Prince. The change of tactics on Monday that saw him lead all the way may not have made that much difference, and were probably borne out of necessity given his draw on a track on which it does pay to be close to the fence. Certainly, he seemed to be happy enough being held up at Chester, and it may be that he will be better when he is able to sit in behind. He is undoubtedly set for a decent hike from his mark of 92 now, but a decent hike is warranted, and he should still be worth following. He didn’t appear to stay a mile and a half on his last run of last season at Leicester in October, admittedly on soft ground, so this 10-furlong trip looks ideal. He could be one for the Wolferton Rated Stakes, a listed handicap, at Royal Ascot. He should be worth following wherever he goes next.

25th May 2009