One of the biggest impacts that the inclement weather has had on this week's action has been on the G1 Commonwealth Cup, with Friday's second running of the enterprising new initiative for the 3-year-old sprinters excluding the dynamic 2-year-olds of 2015 Acapulco (Scat Daddy) and Air Force Blue (War Front). While the former at least will be keenly missed, having been briefly under consideration for this after her King's Stand withdrawal, the race which produced such a barnstormer 12 months ago could yet be saved by the potential champion filly Quiet Reflection (GB) (Showcasing {GB}). Expertly guided by Karl Burke so far, she has now won four black-type contests in succession, with the Listed Harry Rosebery S. at Ayr in September and Newmarket's G3 Cornwallis S. in October just the warning shots of what was to come. After a narrow defeat of the subsequent listed scorer Jimmy Two Times (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}), which served as a warm-up exercise, in the six-furlong G3 Prix Sigy at Chantilly Apr. 10, she really took off in the G2 Sandy Lane S. also over this trip at Haydock last time May 28. Last year's G2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte hero Donjuan Triumphant (Ire) (Dream Ahead) was 3 3/4 lengths behind in second, with the G2 Coventry S. winner Buratino (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) further adrift in fourth and the G3 Dick Poole Fillies' S. winner La Rioja (GB) (Hellvelyn {GB}) in fifth, so Quiet Reflection seems to have things covered here. Jockey Dougie Costello was drawing on mechanical analogies on Wednesday. “I had a Ducati 1098 for two years before my daughter came along and my wife made me get rid of it,” he said. “The way Quiet Reflection took off when I pushed the button at Haydock is probably the closest acceleration I've ever felt to it since. She was breathtaking and it wasn't a fluke. If she turns up in the same form, I can't see her getting beat.” He added, “She's very laid-back at home and I think she's just come to herself this year, plus the step up in trip has helped her. You would not be worried about dropping her back to five furlongs, but I think six is her best trip. I'm over the moon to have an opportunity to ride a filly like her, especially at such a turning point in my career. It's what dreams are made of.”
Last year's Listed Windsor Castle S. scorer Washington DC (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) was second in the G3 Lacken S. over this trip at Naas May 29, which was another reversal for a colt who gives the impression things have to fall right for him to show his best, while a more interesting candidate could come from further afield. Jacques Cygler's Cheikeljack (Fr) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) has not been seen since winning the G3 Prix Djebel over seven furlongs at Maisons-Laffitte Apr. 7, and although he probably benefitted from positive tactics there it is significant that he was chased home by the subsequent group scorers Ribchester (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}), Attendu (Fr) (Acclamation {GB}) and G3 Prix Paul de Moussac runner-up Moon Trouble (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}). “He won very well at Maisons-Laffitte and seeing Ribchester win was very nice,” trainer Henri-Alex Pantall commented. “The horse is well and his work has been good. The ground will not be a problem for him. It was heavy when he won at Maisons-Laffitte so that will not be why he gets beaten, if he does. This will be his first run over six furlongs, but in England I think that distance will be better for him than a mile.”
Godolphin's Log out Island (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) bounced back to form in a first-time hood when capturing Newbury's Listed Carnarvon S. over this trip May 14, and if that revolutionary piece of headgear works the oracle again the raw ability is there for a bold showing. Trainer Richard Hannon said, “Log Out Island has done really well since his win at Newbury. He won't get things as easily on the lead, however he was very impressive the other day and if he replicates that run he should be right there on the line.”
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