The Gold Cheongsam

Things hadn’t gone right for The Gold Cheongsam on either of her first two runs of the season, but she got right back on track at Newbury on Saturday, equalling if not bettering the pick of her two-year-old form when fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ Turf.

It was only a small-field conditions race, but Music Master set a high standard, having finished second to the useful Dundonnell in a listed race and having run a big race in the Jersey Stakes this season. The Gold Cheongsam did well to beat Henry Candy’s horse in a good time, comparatively the quickest time of the day, better than the Group 3 Hackwood Stakes and the Super Sprint.

Held up in fourth of the five runners, the Jeremy Noseda-trained filly travelled well, and although Music Master quickened up quite impressively two furlongs out, it always looked as though The Gold Cheongsam would pick up him. William Buick produced a well-timed challenge and she responded well for him. The wining margin was only narrow, but she was the winner on merit and the front pair pulled clear of the rest.

The Gold Cheongsam had raced on the worst of the ground on her reappearance at Newbury at a meeting at which those who raced close to the stands side rail were probably significantly disadvantaged. She had also raced on the wrong part of the track in the Sandringham Handicap at Royal Ascot, on the stands side, when all the action was centre to far side. Also, Ascot’s stiff mile probably stretched her stamina beyond its limit.

Seven furlongs and fast ground is her optimum, and she can progress again now. If she got fast ground for the Oak Tree Stakes at Goodwood next week, she would be a big player in that. We know from last year that she can take her racing well. Now that she is back to form she could even progress beyond Group 3 level, and she will be interesting wherever she runs next as long as she has her conditions.

20th July 2013