O'Brien hoping Rip can land a Classic blow
Thursday November 05 2009
NOWHERE is the contrast between the European and American racing cultures more evident than at Santa Anita when the Breeders' Cup rolls into this picturesque suburb of Los Angeles. Even the Californian blacksmith, assigned to some of the British runners, trades under the name of Wes Champagne.
American horsemen have just about got used to seeing Aidan O'Brien's string of eight runners, nose to tail, out for a walk and trot, but when their jockeys dismounted to walk back to the quarantine barn yesterday, it drew gasps of incredulity from the local hacks. "You ever seen anything like that?" they asked in wonderment.
For the 30 European runners that arrived over the weekend it is all about settling into their new surroundings, acclimatising as much as they can in five days and avoiding any last-minute hitches.
The only drama during track-work yesterday was when California Flag, the American-trained favourite for the Turf Sprint, unshipped his jockey and bolted loose, scattering horses and people.
Neither Rip Van Winkle nor Twice Over, the two European Classic runners, travelled well, but their respective trainers, O'Brien and Henry Cecil, were happy yesterday.
The vibes about Rip Van Winkle, favourite to beat the unbeaten local heroine Zenyatta, have been mixed and the colt was, by some way, the warmest of the Ballydoyle contingent, dripping with sweat on a morning when Freddie Head sent out Goldikova in a light sheet.
O'Brien, without a Breeders' Cup winner since High Chaparral in 2003, was far more positive about Rip Van Winkle than he had been a day earlier. Rumours about the colt's well documented feet seem to have been exaggerated. "We had a bit of an issue with his off-hind, but he's had a clear run with them for the last week," he said.
"I was more worried the journey had taken it out of him, but I'm very happy -- he's an exuberant horse and you saw the movement and his action. He's had a long hard season, much of it swimming against the tide (with his feet), but if we can get him here close to how good he was at Ascot, you'd like to think he'll win. He's the most natural athlete we've had, like George Washington without the attitude issues."
Cecil, enjoying his first trip to Santa Anita, said Twice Over was edgy on the flight, but had settled well and was now thriving. He also offered the opinion that he had even come on from Newmarket.
The two trainers have contrasting views on the use of Lasix. Cecil is taking the 'when in Rome' approach with his three runners. Man of Iron, in the Marathon, is O'Brien's only charge running on it.
The use of medication is another of the great cultural differences between America and Europe. "I'd be all for no medication at all," said O'Brien. "We feel there have been times when it may have worked against our horses. Who knows?" he added. (© Daily Telegraph, London)
- Marcus Armytage
Irish Independent
