Safe Voyage

The performance that Safe Voyage put up in finishing second in the “Sovereign Path” Handicap at Leopardstown on Saturday hasn’t gone unnoticed, but there are so many positives about it, he is still worthy of inclusion here.  For starters, he did really well to get as close as he did, coming from the rear as he did in a race in which the pace held up well.  Dropped in by Jason Hart from his wide draw, he was still only 16th of the 18 runners when they straightened up for home, but he finished off his race best of all to pass 14 of the 15 horses who were in front of him, and failing by just a half a length to catch the 16th, the winner I’m A Gambler.  He was in front three strides after the winning line.

It was a race in which early pace was rewarded.  The winner was third turning for home, while third-placed Current Option was second.  Safe Voyage came wide and late and only just failed to get there.

The handicapper has raised John Quinn’s horse by 3lb to a mark of 100, but that is still 16lb lower than his peak.  He is nine now, but he proved here that he retains lots of ability.  He had run well in his previous race too to finish just two lengths behind the same I’m A Gambler in a Goodwood handicap.  Seven furlongs is his trip, and he is at his best when there is an ease in the ground, so he will be of interest as we move into the autumn.  He holds an entry in the Challenge Cup at Ascot on 1st October and, third in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot three years ago, he will be of interest if he lines up in that.
Leopardstown, 10^th September 2022