Rainbow Peak

Rainbow Peak put up a really nice performance on just his second ever start to win the opener at Ascot on Friday, a Class 3 conditions stakes over 10 furlongs. Kieren Fallon was happy enough to drop in from the gate, and settle Peter Savill's gelding in last place of the 11 runners. The early pace wasn't that strong, and the horse hadn't run for 144 days, having been out with a hairline fracture to his pelvis, so it was understandable that he would be a little free, which he was. They stretched on a little out of Swinley Bottom, which helped a lot, and he swung along up the far side. Still second last when they started the turn for home, it looked probable that Rainbow Peak would be denied a clear run, such was the wall of horses in front of him passing the two-furlong pole. Fallon was still sitting motionless on the inside rail as Ryan Moore made a break for home on Tryst in the centre. Fallon had to ease back and move to the outside around horses in order to go forward but, once Rainbow Peak got into the clear just a furlong out, he picked up well. He was fortunate that the leaders had bunched up a bit, that nothing had gone clear, and that he was only about three lengths behind the leader at that point. The Hernando gelding always had the measure of Tryst, but Greylami, who had enjoyed the run of the race, was picking up as well inside him. However, Rainbow Peak's finishing burst was more potent than the grey horse's, and he made up the length and a half on him that he needed to in order to get up and beat him by a head.

The turn of foot that the Michael Jarvis-trained gelding showed was impressive - he was no better than second last passing the furlong pole - and this will be a potent weapon wherever he goes next. He can probably be marked up a fair bit even on the bare form of this race, as it was only his second ever run, his first since he won his maiden at Kempton at the beginning of May, so there should be significant improvement forthcoming. The handicapper has put him up 7lb for this, but a mark of 97 still probably under-estimates his ability considerably, and he would be interesting now should connections decide to run him in a handicap next. As long as he remains sound, he could prove to be much better than a handicapper next season.

25th September 2009

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