Long John

The Australian-bred Long John ran a nice race in the Group 2 Summer Mile at Ascot on Saturday on his first ever run in Britain. Held up at the back of the field through the early stages of the race, the Godolphin horse came under pressure early in the home straight, he was the first horse off the bridle, and it looked like he was treading water, it looked like he was going to finish last or nearly last. He responded well to pressure, however, he picked up from the two-furlong pole and, while it never looked likely that he was going to catch the winner Guest Of Honour, he did run all the way to the line to finish third, the front three coming clear of the other six runners.

The Street Cry gelding should be much better for this experience. Winner of the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas at Caulfield last October when trained by Peter Snowden, he won the UAE 2000 Guineas at Meydan last February on his first run in the Northern Hemisphere before disappointing behind Toast Of New York in the UAE Derby. That was the second time that he disappointed in just two attempts at 10 furlongs, but he was beaten too far out in the UAE Derby for his defeat to be attributable to a lack of stamina, and he raced on Saturday as if he would benefit from a step up from a mile.

More than distance, however, fast ground is probably important to him as a son of Street Cry, and he will be of interest wherever he runs next this summer. He is entered in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood next month, and that would be a legitimate target.

12th July 2014

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