****Race Of The Week: Group 1 1m Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes****

[Master Joe]

Every week I will put up a thread for Race Of The Week. This weeks race is the Group 1 1m Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes run at Newbury on Saturday. Here's the Final 11 Horses in the Race:

2:40 11 run

Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1) (4yo+) Winner £132,820.00

CH4 1m

No.	Form	Horse	Trainer		Wgt	Jockey	RPR
1(10)	920-	Antonius Pius 153	A P O´Brien	4	9-0	K Fallon
2(7)	01-2	Arakan 17	Sir Michael Stoute	5	9-0	M J Kinane
3(9)	1-12	Autumn Glory 13	G Wragg	5	9-0	S Drowne
4(4)	1d-73	Babodana 21	M H Tompkins	5	9-0	R Hills
5(8)	1419	Elvstroem 20	T Vasil	5	9-0t	N Rawiller
6(3)	1421	Grand Emporium 49	Saeed Bin Suroor	5	9-0	L Dettori
7(11)	3221	Hurricane Alan 21	R Hannon	5	9-0	P Dobbs
8(6)	83-1	Le Vie Dei Colori 21	L M Cumani	5	9-0	J P Murtagh
9(1)	91-4	Mac Love 17	J Akehurst	4	9-0	G Carter
10(5)	107-	Rakti 153	M A Jarvis	6	9-0	P Robinson
11(2)	1-11	Tarfah 13	G A Butler	4	8-11	J P Spencer

[Master Joe]

Re: ****Race Of The Week: Group 1 1m Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes**** Source: Attheraces IT could be his greatest challenge yet. But after successfully negotiating the dodgem ride on Gypsy King at Chester last week, Kieren Fallon is fancied to find the key to Antonius Pius in the Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on Saturday. There are few horses around with the natural ability of this exasperating Danzig colt, but last year he had Aidan O’Brien and the hapless Jamie Spencer reaching for the wigs after throwing away victory in the French 2000 Guineas and Breeders’ Cup Mile (pictured). On both occasions he would have won had he gone through with his effort, but it’s surely significant that he has been kept in training to land the all-important Group One win that is needed to cement a stallion career at Coolmore. O’Brien clearly hasn’t lost faith in the horse and it has to be a positive sign that a month ago he publicly earmarked this race as the starting point for Antonius Pius’s four-year-old career. And then there is the Fallon factor. Not even Jamie Spencer’s greatest fan would argue he covered himself in glory during his tenure at Ballydoyle and while no blame could be attached to him for the colt’s sudden swerve into the rails at Longchamp, the rider’s eroded confidence can’t have helped in later races. Fallon, on the other hand, is imperious just now, having started his new job in the best possible way with those brilliant Guineas victories on Footstepsinthesand and Virginia Waters. He is the right man at the right time for Antonius Pius, who will have been trained to the minute for his first race of the season as not even O’Brien would bank on him being better later in the year given his explosive temperament. Once you take the pin out, the grenade is likely to go off. The key to the horse’s chance will be to get him settled at the rear of the field, so expect a Virginia Waters-style ride from Fallon. O’Brien said last year that Antonius Pius has a turn of foot that "would kill a horse" and that he needs to be ridden like Nijinsky — that’s a measure of how highly he rates him. Spencer managed that to a large extent in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot last year, but in the fastest mile race of the year and on the toughest mile course around, the colt was outstayed rather than outbattled by Azamour and Diamond Green (right). That is top-class form though — Haafhd, impressive winner of the 200 Guineas and subsequently the Champion Stakes, was a close fourth — and a reproduction of his effort there would give him a terrific chance on Newbury’s much less demanding straight-mile track. The ground will be an important factor, of course, but with the weather set fair for the week, it’s likely to be on the fast side come Saturday, thereby putting the emphasis very much on speed. In a race that could justifiably be called the battle of the nutcases, the ante-post market is headed by Rakti, whose impressive, if erratic record suggests he will either dot up or finish out with the washing. Michael Jarvis’s star can be brilliant at times — witness his victories in the Champion two seasons ago and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes last year (Antonius Pius well-beaten after running much too free) — but his trainer admits that everything hinges on what sort of mood the horse is in on the day. With the Jarvis team in cracking form, the six-year-old is sure to be a popular fancy and there’s no arguing with a record that shows he has won first time out in each of the four seasons of his career to date. Interestingly, though, Jarvis is talking up the prospects of an Arlington Million/Breeders’ Cup campaign and with those races coming up much later in the year, I just wonder if Rakti will be as sharp as the selection this week. He also has to overcome the age stats in a race that strongly favours four and five-year-olds. Sir Michael Stoute upset the trends boys last year when winning the race with a filly, Russian Rhythm, and now he attempts to rub salt in their wounds by repeating the feat with Chic (right). The daughter of Machavellian has a very progressive profile, but it was noticeable how she improved in the second half of last season and with trainers all agreeing it has been a difficult winter for fillies, she may be another who will be better later in the year. Stoute also has Arakan lined up, but the five-year-old appears just below Group 1 class and is probably better suited to seven furlongs. Le Vie Dei Colori, a Group 1 winner in Italy two seasons ago, merits respect on his third to Soviet Song in the Sussex Stakes last summer, but doubts remain as to the true merit of that form given that Antonius Pius was badly hampered that day and Haafhd and Refuse To Bend both ran no sort of race. Godolphin have a good record in the Lockinge, so expect a decent show from ex-South African Grade 1 winner Grand Emporium, the intended mount of Frankie Dettori, though his form on dirt in Dubai this winter leaves him with a bit to find in this company. The fast-improving Tarfah also has questions to answer going up sharply in grade and tackling the colts, but if the heavens open unexpectedly, Autumn Glory would be worth a saver as he looks a high-class performer on soft ground. Recommended bet: Antonius Pius 1pt win @ 7/1 (price correct as at 2pm 10/5/05)

[Carl]

Re: ****Race Of The Week: Group 1 1m Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes**** great stuff Joe,might just tempt me back to the GG's after a rest.:ok

[Aykay1]

Re: ****Race Of The Week: Group 1 1m Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes**** Cheers Joe. Ive added a poll and made the thread a sticky until Saturday so get your vote for Antonius added! :ok

[Master Joe]

Re: ****Race Of The Week: Group 1 1m Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes****

Cheers Joe. Ive added a poll and made the thread a sticky until Saturday so get your vote for Antonius added! :ok

Hey AK1979 Its says at the top of that post that piece from from Attheraces, if you havn't check out their site www.attheraces.com some fantastic stuff on there and they always do a piece for these big ante-post races. Matt Doyle, their leading tipster had a 30-1 double on Monday, brillant tipping and a 15-2 winner from his only tip yesterday. Thanks for making this thread a sticky.

[Aykay1]

Re: ****Race Of The Week: Group 1 1m Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes**** Ooops yes i see now :o Well add your vote in your own time in that case! :lol

[bowles10]

Re: ****Race Of The Week: Group 1 1m Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes**** trainer stated tonight that rakti didnt need any more rain to fall. i will be waiting to see if the ground worsens before having a punt. Rain is expected in the South on Saturday. Autumn Glory has improved with age & will be interesting if the ground comes up soft.

[Master Joe]

Re: ****Race Of The Week: Group 1 1m Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes**** Source: Weekender Antonius Pius Winless last season but raced exclusively at top level after reapperance and produced high-class performances when placed in the Pirx du Moulin at Longchamp and in the Breeders Cup Mile. More needed to break the ice at Group 1 level bur dangerous to assume he won't improve with stable going well. Arakan Improved steadily over past two seasons, gaining first Group-race success last term in the seven-furlong Criterion Stakes at Newmarket in June. Missed thew remainder of campaign with a cracked with a cracked carpal bone, but showed he retained his ability by running second to Horeion Directa (Mac Love fourth and held) in Listed race over extended seven furlongs at Lingfield last month. Won a mile maiden at two but found wanting on both tries in Group company over this trip and needs to improve for the return to a mile if he is to win. Autumn Glory Developed into smart performer on easy ground last term, winning Group 3s over a mile at Deauville and over nine furlongs at Newmarket where Babodana (receiving 3lbs was 3rd). Was giving 5lbs to runner-up Haurricane Alan when winning Listed race over this trip at Doncaster on reapperance but a little disappointing when second to Martillo at Saint-Cloud last time. Could find a few too quick unless the ground eases. Babodana Tough and consistant, effective from seven furlongs to a mile and a quarter. Won't lack for fitness following good second run of the season when close third behind Hurricane Alan in the Betfred Mile at Sandown, but no obvious reason why he should turn the tables with that horse. Yet to win a Group race and doubtful it that's going to change on his first try at the top level. Elvstroem Astonishingly versatle Australian star, successful at top level on wide range of going/surafaces and from seven furlongs to a mile and a half, as well as finishing fourth over two miles in the Melbourne Cup. All-the-way win in the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free at Nad Al Sheba showed he can be effective at high level on wider interantional stage, though disappointing subsequently in QEII Cup at Sha Tin. Even so, supplemented at a cost of £16,000 and must not be underestimated. Grand Emporium Multiple winner, including at Group 1 level, from seven to ten furlongs in his native South Africa and has done well this year on dirt at Nad Al Sheba, landing a Group 3 and a Group 2 from four starts. More needed at this level back on turf, but could well benefit from switch to Godolphin since latest start and can be thereabouts for the stable that won this race three years in succession from 1998 Hurricane Alan Tough, reliable sort who proved 25-1 win in last year's Sandown Mile was no fluke with repeat success in last months renewal of the Group 2, has had plenty of chances at Group 1 level without striking gold. He will proberly struggle to improve on his fifth in last year's race. Le Vie Dei Colori Luca Cumani worked wonders with ex-Italian Falbrav and much is expected of this import form Italy too. Multiple Group winner in his home country and madea pleasing start for his current trainer when third, beaten a neck and two lengths, by Soviet Song and Nayyrir in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood in July, then produced creditable efforts in Longchamp Group 1 races on both subsequent starts last term. Began new campaign with a cheeky win at Leicester and the step up to a mile will suit him. Mac Love Better than ever for current stable in second half of last season, proving suited by waiting tactics and a sound surafce, and ended campaign with a Group 3 success over seven furlongs at Goodwood. Creditable effort considering soft ground was against him when fourth (held by runner-up Arakan) in a Listed race over an extended seven furlongs at Lingfield on reapperance last month. However, he needs a career-best effort to make the frame and debatable whether his stamina will hold out, even if the ground is fast. Rakti Volatile temperment can lead to him ruining his chance by being too 'fuzzy' both in preliminaries and his races, but top-class when he gets his act together. Proved fully effective at a mile when winning Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in September, settling better in a cross-noseband. Had Antonius Pius among those trailing in his wake and will take the world of beating in that sort of form. Tarfah Unraced at two but made up for lost time in 2004, winning three from four, and has continued to risk through the ranks this year. Easy winner of a Listed race ovetr this trip at Kempton of reappearance and followed up with a game victory from good yardstick Summitville in a Group 3 over nine furlongs at Newmarket this month. Overcame trouble in running last time so there is proberly more to come, and connections have stumped up £16,000 for the late entry fee, but has plenty to find

[Master Joe]

Re: ****Race Of The Week: Group 1 1m Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes**** Source: Racing Post Spotlight

Antonius Pius No doubt he is extremely talented but his own biggest enemy and failure to net a big prize last year can be firmly laid at his door; Kieren Fallon had no joy on him in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and it remains to be seen if he can be persuaded to turnover a new leaf.

Arakan Campaign last season cut short by injury but left impression ability is intact although ultimately outstayed on softish ground in Listed event on last month´s Lingfield return; faster conditions suit better but bare 7f looks optimum trip and yet to provehimself at Group 1 level so questions to answer here despite trainer´s fine record in race.

Autumn Glory Developed into high-class miler on easy ground last year when winning twice at Group 3 level; looked better than ever when giving weight and a beating to Hurricane Alan at Doncaster in March but yet to approach anything like that level of form under fastconditions and only if ground came in his favour would he enter calculations.

Babodana Smart miler at his best, favoured by easy ground, and versatile tactically but no reason to believe he is capable of any better than latest third to Hurricane Alan at Sandown and big surprise if he can open his Group-race account here.

Elvstroem High class and versatile performer in Australia where his CV includes a Group 1 win at 7f and a fourth in the 2m Melbourne Cup; proved himself on the international scene when winning 1m1f Dubai Duty Free when today´s jockey rode the opposition to sleep and proving himself on fast ground too; excuses for latest defeat in Hong Kong and should not be underestimated.

Grand Emporium Proved himself leading performer on turf in South Africa from 7f-1m2f and climaxed good run of efforts on dirt in Dubai when winning the Godolphin Mile; however, bare form of those efforts would not quite match up to best of these and needs to improve togive new connections their fourth win in eight years in this race.

Hurricane Alan As good as ever this spring and ran out game winner of Group 2 contest at Sandown three weeks ago for second year in a row; however, winners of that race regularly fallen short here (as he did when fifth last year) and a record of three Group successes in 19 attempts highlights his limitations.

Le Vie Dei Colori Leading miler when trained in Italy, proving effectiveness on most ground, but just fell short when taking on Europe´s cream at trip after transfer to current yard last summer; did not have to be at best to make successful return at Leicester (reportedlyblew up in final furlong, form taken some knocks since) and this is obviously much tougher but does not have question marks over him that more-talented rivals have.

Mac Love Better than ever for this yard in second half of last season when proving well suited by 7f on quickish ground and hold-up tactics; not disgraced on ground that would not have suited at Lingfield on return but needs to take a real leap forward for this first crack at 1m to play a major role.

Rakti Idiosyncrasies can prevent him from doing himself justice (can be too headstrong for own good) but no doubt he is top-class performer on fast ground on his day and put up best performance in Europe at this trip last season when winning Queen Elizabeth IIStakes at Ascot; has an excellent record fresh (won first time out for last three seasons), has won on a straight track and no doubt he is the most talented in this line-up.

Tarfah Won five of her six starts and further progress when getting up late in 1m1f fillies Group 3 on fast ground at Newmarket last time; likely more to come but good deal to find to mix it with today´s opposition.

SPOTLIGHT VERDICT: A truly cosmopolitan line-up, but no doubt which is the most talented runner and as long as the ground remains in his favour, RAKTI (nap) is by far the most likely winner. Elvstroem showed in Dubai he can be a hard horse to pass if allowed the run of the race and he looks the biggest danger.[

[Master Joe]

Re: ****Race Of The Week: Group 1 1m Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes**** Source: Sporting Life

BETTING BOX
FIXED ODDS
	4pts Rakti at best Saturday morning price (2.40 Newbury)	Goes well fresh and very hard to beat in races like this.

Rakti is favourite for Saturday's Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes at Newbury and he is a brilliant if rather enigmatic colt. He was on his best behaviour last year when winning the Prince of Wales's Stakes first-time-out at Royal Ascot and then the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. We know he is a hard-pulling horse who can sometimes beat himself, he can give trouble in the stalls too, so it is a risky proposition backing him. But when on song and at his best, there are few better milers in the world than Rakti. La Vie Dei Colori was a prolific winner in Italy and showed he is a very good miler when third to Soviet Song in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. He ran out a narrow, workmanlike winner at Leicester first time out this year and the form doesn't amount to a great deal so he needs to step up on that here. Antonius Pius is a very talented horse, finishing second in the Breeders' Cup Mile. He may have won a French Guineas too but for hanging very badly. That is his problem, he is extremely wayward and runs off a true line under pressure. I just wonder if the strong handling of Kieren Fallon will be the making of the horse this season as he has endless amounts of talent and I rate him the main danger to Rakti. Elvstroem is an Australian-trained horse who runs here and may also be campaigned in France too. He is a horse who has had a remarkable career in Australia having finished fourth in a Melbourne Cup and won over seven furlongs! He won in Dubai earlier this year before disappointing at Sha Tin last time which is a worry but connections were delighted with a recent piece of work he did at Newmarket. You wouldn't rule him out of this. Autumn Glory is a horse I have always liked but he would probably prefer more cut in the ground. Grand Emporium is a former South African-trained horse who has now joined Godolphin after winning in Dubai last time. He has a little to find on various formlines though while Hurricane Alan is always knocking at the door at it wouldn't surprise me if he filtered into the frame at a decent price. The fact is that if Rakti shows up on song he is going to take the world of beating. I take him to do just that.

[Master Joe]

Re: ****Race Of The Week: Group 1 1m Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes**** Source: Attheraces The first Group one race of the season for older horses has an international flavour with Australian globetrotter Elvstroem in the line-up alongside Italian imports Rakti and Le Vie Dei Colori. RAKTI Goes best fresh and is a proven Group 1 performer who won twice at the highest level last year. Although trainer sidestepped Sussex Stakes, successfully dropped back to mile for Ascot’s QEII and won very impressively. Exceptional horse in right frame of mind, but got upset in Eclipse and threw chance away when pulling far too hard. Loves fast ground and may have conditions go against him with rain forecast at Newbury. LE VIE DEI COLORI Went close in Group 1 company last year when third in the Sussex Stakes on his British debut. Has enjoyed ideal preparation this year by winning first time out in the Leicestershire Stakes. Luca Cumani’s record with Italian imports is second to none. Improved Falbrav and Salselon in recent seasons. Form of Leicester listed success has since been let down by Polar Bear at York. ANTONIUS PIUS Unlucky not to win French 2000 Guineas when colliding with the rail close home and throwing race away. Kieren Fallon’s strength could harness Group race potential by curbing wayward nature. Tendency to hang arguably cost him victory Breeders’ Cup Mile. New stable jockey failed to get a good tune out of him at Ascot in QEII. ELVSTROEM Top class Australian raider whose three Group 1s in 2004 included Caulfield Cup. Tough and honest performer guaranteed to give his running, unlike some in field who need everything to fall right in order to show their best. Has already won in Dubai and unaffected by globetrotting campaign. Suspicion he got run of race from front to land first international success Dubai Duty Free. FINAL ANALYSIS: If Philip Robinson can stop Rakti running too free he could easily reproduce a performance to compare favourably with Hawk Wing’s demolition of a Group 1 field here two years ago. The signs are good as he switched off in a racecourse gallop at Lingfield and has a good record fresh. However, the forecast rain is a big worry for this proven top of the ground performer. A safer option is LE VIE DEI COLORI. He won his prep when not fully wound up, acts on any ground and deserves plenty of credit for finishing third in the Sussex Stakes on his British debut. He only arrived at Luca Cumani’s yard midway through last year and is in the right hands to improve along similar lines to Falbrav. The wayward Antonius Pius is a danger with Fallon up. MATT'S FORECAST 1-2-3 1 Le Vie DeI Colori 2 Rakti 3 Antonius Pius

[Master Joe]

Re: ****Race Of The Week: Group 1 1m Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes**** Source: Attheraces The Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes was first run in 1959 and won by that season's 2000 Guineas winner Pall Mall (most notable winner was Brigadier Gerard) but it has been restricted to older horses since 1996 therefore giving top-class milers their first opportunity of the season to flex their muscles in Group 1 company. Looking towards Royal Ascot at York, for ante-post purposes do register in your memory banks the very powerful statistic that 13 of the last 24 Queen Anne Stakes winners ran here, many of which were beaten including last year's winner Refuse To Bend who could only finish eighth. As the first Group 1 of the season for olders milers, although an important event in its own right, it stands to reason many connections will be viewing this race as a starting point to the new campaign so its not a race to get too heavily stuck into and many beaten horses will come on plenty for the outing. It is interesting for example, that all three of Godolphin's Lockinge winners were beaten in the Queen Anne but, Charnwood Forest, who won the traditional opener at Royal Ascot was beaten here. KEY STATISTICS: Group 1 or 2 winners have won the last six renewals As a relatively new Group 1 race (upgraded in 1995), it took a little while for the Lockinge to find its feet at the top level but the quality of horse is now so much higher than in its infancy as a top-flite race that the type of horse we should be looking to is of much higher quality than the likes of Soviet Line or Cape Cross for example. The last six winners had all won a Group 1 or 2 contest and that is where we should be looking which is interesting as less than half this field adhere to this statistic. Group 1 or 2 winners in this season's line-up are Rakti, Le Vie Die Colori, Elvstroem, Hurricane Alan and Grand Emporium and I wouldn't look beyond that quintet. Top-class miling form a must Since this race was made a Group 1 event in 1995, specialist milers have very much come to the fore - even Hawk Wing whose class saw him home in a woeful Eclipse over an additional two furlongs was clearly most at home over a straight mile. Of recent winners, the French-trained grey Keltos was 7 from 8 throughout his career at a mile, Medicean was unbeaten in five tries at a mile, Russian Rhythm (pictured) only once tasted defeat at a mile in five races, Aljabr had won the Group 1 Sussex Stakes and finished second in French 2000 Guineas on his only other runs at a mile, Fly To The Stars won a host of top races at a mile including valuable handicaps at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood and pattern races in France, and Soviet Line was a six-time winner at a mile which included two Lockinges. Few horses better known for their ten-furlong exploits are dropped in trip here but many seven-furlong horses have tried their luck with not much success of late such as Tillerman, Arkadian Hero and Warningford. Arakan looks very much in the same boat here and is rated a very dodgy stayer (I also didn't like the way he shirked the issue on his return). Rakti is a conundrum as he has already bagged the Champion Stakes and Prince Of Wales's Stakes over ten furlongs but he looked ultra-comfortable when making all to win the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes over a mile last season so is equally effective over both trips. He is a vey headstrong individual which is likely to be excaberbated on his seasonal return and there is a danger he could run himself into the ground. The Australian challenger Elvstroem is also adaptable with regards to trip, much more so in fact having won a Group 1 race over seven furlongs and the ferociously-competitive Caulfield Cup over a mile and a half. Sir Michael Stoute and Saeed Bin Suroor have won 8 of the last 14 runnings Sir Michael Stoute and Saeed Bin Suroor have been the trainers to follow for the principal mile races for older horses in the first half of the season winning the last nine renewals of the Queen Anne Stakes and their Lockinge record isn't too shabby either winning eight of the last 14 runnings. Sir Michael Stoute (six wins in total going back to Scottish Reel in 1986) and Saeed Bin Suroor (hat-trick of wins between 1998-2000) have unquestionably been the trainers to keep on your side but Luca Cumani has gone close twice recently with Poteen and Salselon with both beaten no more than half a length into second. In the absence of Chic, Sir Michael Stoute relies on Arakan, Saeed Bin Suroor's hopes rest with Grand Emporium on his first start since joining Godolphin after winning a Group 2 in Dubai for leading South African trainer Mike De Kock, whilst Luca Cumani will be hoping for better firtune having endured two close misses in this race with Poteen and Salselon who were both second beaten no more half a length, with his recent Leicester Listed race winner Le Vie Die Colori. Four-year-olds have won the last five runings Four-year-olds dominated the Lockinge in the early-nineties winning the first five renewals of that decade and it's been a case of deja vu since the turn of the millennium with four-year-olds also winning all five runnings from 2000-2004 courtesy of Aljabr, Medicean, Keltos, Hawk Wing and Russian Rhythm. Five-year-olds have enjoyed their successes too so I would rather look upon a four-year-old being a positive rather than five-year-olds and upwards being a negative. For the record, the only four four-year-olds to line up in a ten-strong field in 2002 finished 1-2-3-4 and, a year later, the only participating four-year-olds filled the first two placings. Antonius Pius, Tarfah and Mac Love represent the four-year-old generation this time around. Nine of the last ten winners started in the first three in the market The Godolphin pacemaker Cape Cross caused a 20/1 shock in 1999 but all other winners since the race attained Group 1 status in 1995 started in the first three in the betting so, on that evidence, relative outsiders should be treated with a little caution. At the overnight stage it would appear Rakti, Le Vie Die Colori and Antonius Pius will fill those market positions closely followed by Grand Emporium and Elvstroem. Oppose the Betfred.com Mile winner The Group 2 Betfred.com Mile at Sandown three weeks ago was formerly an excellent guide when both races were of Group 2 standard but it's all gone very quiet of late with the last seven winners failing to finish any better third now the Lockinge has been upped to a Group 1 contest. That said, last season's Lockinge second and third Salselon and Norse Dancer contested that Sandown event where both finished unplaced. Overall, not good news for supporters of this year's Betfred.Com Mile winner Hurricane Alan though he was only beaten two lengths into fifth in last season's Lockinge having won that same Sandown prize 12 months ago. VERDICT Nothing fits the bill perfectly but I like the chances of Luca Cumani's LE VIE DIE COLORI for a yard that has been touched off twice in this contest of late, will start towards the head of the market like nine of the last ten winners, has Group 2 winning form like the last six winners at worst and his best form is at a mile. Judged by his cosy win at Leicester on his return, he looks set to take high rank amongst this season's milers especially now that his trainer has had time to get to grips with him only picking him up last summer. He is just preferred to Rakti who can run too free for his own good and he is likely to be very fresh on his first start of the season and could blast off too quick. The quirky Antonius Pius failed to win last season but was the moral winner of the French 2000 Guineas and he would have more patterns in his favour than not. The Australian challenger Elvstroem and the ex South African-trained Grand Emporium who is now with Godolphin are flies in the ointment. RECOMMENDED BETS: 2pts win LE VIE DIE COLORI (Lockinge Stakes)

[Aykay1]

Re: ****Race Of The Week: Group 1 1m Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes**** Ive looked at this briefly and although RAKTI is a worthy favourite, i cannot bring myself to back a temperamental horse on potentially unsuitable ground at short odds. As detailed above, Cumani has the golden touch with Italian imports - Falbrav was an amazing horse and Le Vie die Colori is the one im favouring at the moment .

[Master Joe]

Re: ****Race Of The Week: Group 1 1m Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes**** That was a very impressive performance from Rakti. a 5 length win in a canter and beat the Course Record, this is an unbelievable horse, he hardly broke sweat, it was so easy for him, he will be very hard to beat in all the top 1m Group 1 races this year. Well done to Sporting Life and Racing Post for tipping the winner:clap :notworthy

[Aykay1]

Re: ****Race Of The Week: Group 1 1m Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes**** :clap as well to Gambl0r Martin & Matt who tipped it up in the poll. Very very impressive from Rakti.

[Master Joe]

Re: ****Race Of The Week: Group 1 1m Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes****

NEWBURY (14 May 2005)

Firm

2:40 Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes (Group 1) (1) (4yo+) [off 2:44] £132,820.00, £50,380.00, £25,190.00, £11,450.00, £5,725.00, £3,435.00 1m

									OR	TS	RPR
1		>Rakti	(5)	M A Jarvis	6	9-0	P Robinson	(1)	J Akehurst	4	9-0	G Carter	(11)	R Hannon	5	9-0	P Dobbs	(8)	T Vasil	5	9-0 t	N Rawiller	(7)	Sir Michael Stoute	5	9-0	M J Kinane	(6)	L M Cumani	5	9-0	J P Murtagh	(3)	Saeed Bin Suroor	5	9-0	L Dettori	(10)	A P O´Brien	4	9-0	K Fallon
8 ran TIME 1m 33.59s (fast by 4.01s) TOTAL SP 106% NON RUNNERS: Autumn Glory (IRE) ,Babodana ,Tarfah (USA) 1st OWNER: Gary A Tanaka BRED: Azienda Agricola Rosati Colarieti TRAINER: M A Jarvis 2nd OWNER: Vimal Khosla 3rd OWNER: I A N Wight TOTE TRIFECTA Pool £17,404.28. 15.30 winning units WIN £2.50 PL £1.10, £5.80, £2.50; Ex £74.50; CSF £82.91Pool £17,404.28. 15.30 winning units Course record ANALYSIS: An imperious performance from RAKTI, who was allowed to bowl along in front when it was clear that Australian challenger Elvstroem wasn't going to go fast enough for him and came right away in the last 2f to win with considerable ease, despite edgingleft in the closing stages. In the process he took 1.40 seconds off the course record, but before anyone gets too carried away by that it has to be borne in mind that the strong following wind and lightning fast ground rendered conditions ideal for record-breaking. The entire field bar Antonius Pius beat the previous best, and even he was only just outside it. The defection of Autumn Glory and Babodana owing to the ground, and the late withdrawal of the supplemented Tarfah after she was injured at thestart contributed to a sub-standard line-up, and the other runners with genuine Group 1 form were all below form for one reason or another. Rakti had everything in his favour in that he has a terrific record fresh and relished firm ground, but he settledwell in front and could hardly have done it better. There will always be a worry that he will boil over, but if he didn't have the temperament he probably wouldn't be as good as he is. He heads now to York for the Queen Anne, as Michael Jarvis sees no point in going for another Prince of Wales's, which he has already won. He has already won a Group 1 over a turning mile, so that should not be a problem, but if the ground was anything like that prevailing at York this week he wouldn't be one to take cramped odds about. Later on he could go to the States. John Akehurst has done really well with Mac Love, whom he inherited at the end of a busy juvenile campaign, but not even the horse's biggest fan would have claimed beforehand that he had serious Group 1 pretensions, so his second place raises an obvious question mark over the form overall. Still only four, he may have improved a bit, but unlike some of his rivals he loves firm ground, so he was in his element. He too could run at York. Richard Hannon is convinced last year's fifth Hurricane Alan wasn't enjoying the ground, as he has problems with his feet. The 5yo was running on at the finish however, having appeared to get a bit outpaced. He is more likely to be aimed at Goodwood than York. Elvstroem has had a highly unorthodox preparation, having arrived only recently via Dubai and Hong Kong. He was reported to enjoy firm ground, but these conditions were said to be too quick even for him. A tough and versatile sort at home, he was a good winner of the Dubai Duty Free but was allowed to dictate his own pace there. Nevertheless, it's a fair bet that he's capable of better than this. Arakan was held up as usual, but after threatening briefly to run into a place his effort flattened out. His mile win was in a maiden and he is better at 7f. Leicester winner Le Vie dei Colori was a big disappointment, dropping out tamely after tracking Elvstroem. The ground may well have been too quick for him. The tough former South African campaigner Grand Emporium made an inauspicious start for Godolphin and may need his sights lowering a bit. Antonius Pius has any amount of form at this level and ought to have been second or third, but he continues to frustrate and found nothing after being held up in rear. One day it will all fall into place for him, but he is not a betting proposition.