Emperor Of The Sun could rain on Stradivarius’ parade
FEW HORSES win a race five times, so the fact that Stradivarius could win the Goodwood Cup (3.35pm) – one of the premier staying races on the Flat calendar – for a fifth time is quite a staggering achievement.
However, having been an odds-on shot a few days ago, the punters are out to get John and Thady Gosden’s star stayer, with the seven-year-old-now as big as 7/4.
And considering he has been beaten on four of his last five starts, there are pretty good reasons to take him on.
He might go and win, and I certainly wouldn’t begrudge him if he did, but I’m not sure this is quite the same horse as a couple of seasons ago.
So, who do you take him on with?
Well, given all of the rain that has fallen, Trueshan looks the most obvious one.
He was taken out of the Gold Cup because of the quick ground and I wouldn’t read too much into his run in the Northumberland Plate where he was carrying bundles of weight.
Don’t forget the last time he ran over two miles on soft ground was on Champions Day and he absolutely hacked up by over seven lengths, with Stradivarius a distant 62 lengths behind in 11th.
He’s sure to go well, but plenty share that view and with Alan King’s inmate now just 5/2, I’m going to look elsewhere for a bit of value.
Namely EMPEROR OF THE SUN, who was given far too much to do when fifth at Ascot.
He stayed on in noteworthy fashion, though, and you feel he might be able to get a good deal closer if given a more positive ride.
Donnacha O’Brien’s colt looked a stayer of real potential when winning a Listed race at Leopardstown on his penultimate start and could easily ruffle a few feathers if in the same mood here.
He’ll need to improve again, but the progeny of the late Galileo tend to do just that and he looks a live each-way player at 25/1.
POINTERS
Emperor Of The Sun e/w 3.35pm Goodwood