RACE REPORT

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 By no means a great renewal of the Breeders' Cup Turf and the leader went off too fast, setting the race up for the closers.
RED ROCKS had produced some terrific efforts in top company prior to this, including when second to subsequent Arc winner Rail Link in the Grand Prix de Paris, and when maybe not quite seeing out just short of 1m6f in the St Leger behind Sixties Icon on his latest start. Dropped back in trip, this success owes a lot to a fine ride from Frankie Dettori, who held his mount up a long way off the pace, and produced him with a well-timed challenge to win in determined fashion. It is easy enough to knock this form and say everything fell into place for him on the day, but this was a fine effort considering he was the only three-year-old in the line up and he promises to make an even better four-year-old. He may start his season in Dubai and could go very close if taking his chance in the Sheema Classic.
Better Talk Now, the winner of this race in 2004 but only seventh last year, was another to benefit from the strong pace and ran a huge race. He was clear of the remainder and really is a fine servant.
English Channel, the easy winner of the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational on his previous start, fared best of those to race close to the strong pace and emerges with a great deal of credit.
Rush Bay had plenty to find with most of these and his chance would not have been helped by racing so close to the strong gallop, so this must rate as a huge effort. It ishard to seen where this came from, though, and for the time being he anchors the form.
Scorpion ran a terrific race on his return from a serious injury when second in a Listed event at the Curragh on his previous start, but this was always going to be a big ask turned out again so soon. Although running with credit, he was below his best and probably just paid late on for chasing the silly pace. He can do better.
Hurricane Run continues to follow in the footsteps of his sire Montjeu, who landed the Arc as a three-year-old, but was beaten in the race at four before failing in the Champion Stakes and again in the Breeders' Cup Turf. Many will be quick to knock him for not reproducing his very best form as his career nears its conclusion, but there are valid excuses for his last three defeats, with the ground too quick for him this time and his rider reporting he was not comfortable on the track. Whatever connections decide to do with him now, it should not be forgotten that he was quite brilliant on his day.
Icy Atlantic went off too fast and set this up for the closers. [RW]

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