Lost In The Moment

Lost In The Moment was a progressive horse at the end of last season, just losing out in the Silver Cambridgeshire before winning a Class 2 handicap at Newbury on his final start, and he carried that through to his first run at the Dubai Carnival when winning a good 11-furlong handicap, before putting in two disappointing efforts. He has returned to Britain this month though with two hugely encouraging performances, finishing second at Chester and then filling the same spot in the Wolferton Handicap at Royal Ascot six days later.

Mickael Barzalona probably hit the front sooner than ideal on Saeed Bin Suroor’s horse here, pressing on as soon as they levelled for home. It looked like Waydownsouth was going to pass him out in the centre, but he picked up again once Beachfire went past him on the inside. Beachfire was obviously primed for the race and won with what appeared a fair bit in hand, but this was another likeable effort from Lost In The Moment. He had run a cracker on his previous run at Chester where he was well back in the field in a race run in a dawdle, made his ground around the outside, and only just failed to get up to beat Jutland, who raced on the rail just behind long-time leader Opera Gal, who finished third. He was the only horse to get into it from the rear that day. He finished off last season well for Jeremy Noseda, and he goes on all types of ground.

He was 4lb well-in here but the handicapper can’t be that harsh, Beachfire is exposed enough and beat him quite convincingly in the end, but there were fairly large gaps in behind, and Lost In The Moment ran with huge credit. He can do even better next time if his run is timed better. He probably doesn’t like being in front for too long. He is in the John Smith’s Cup and that is an option for him now, as he should be better suited to sitting off a fast pace and challenging late. It is worth noting that the Saeed Bin Suroor stable has made a very poor start to the season, slower than usual, it is mid-June and things still aren’t picking up for them, so further improvement can be expected from Lost In The Moment when the stable starts to have a few winners.

17th June 2011