3 minute read
Timeform recap the 2020 Kingston Town Classic at Ascot won by Truly Great.
The Bob Peters' operation was again to the fore at Ascot on Saturday, though not in the order many predicted.
Railway Stakes winner Inspirational Girl was the well supported favourite (10-9), but was unable to reel in her stablemate Truly Great (16-1).
Forced to go back from the wide draw, Inspirational Girl was simply left with too much to do, closing off very well late.
She recorded the seventh fastest L600m of the day, the fourth quickest last 400m and third quickest last 200m, only bettered by Celebrity Queen and Kementari.
Had she drawn a gate and able to settle closer she wins, but that's racing, her stablemate Truly Great settled in the front half and was simply too good, handing Chris Parnham his first Group 1 success.
His fourth win from five starts this time in, the son of Dundeel is another of Peters' army to go to a new level this Summer carnival.
Rated 103 in the lead up, he improved to run 115+ on the weekend, with Inspirational Girl coming off her peak (115 > 106).
When adjusting for sectionals that figure of 106 is closer to 111 while Truly Great looks to have more to offer as well.
Do have to be wary of this race every year as it always look fast, but three-year-old Dom To Shoot ties in well in third, while Too Close The Sun held his form in fourth.
A figure of 115 sits below the five-year winning average and sees him in line with past winners Pounamu and Ihtsahymn.
Arcadia Queen remains the highest rated winner of the event in recent years, rated 121 in 2018.
Having now had 12 starts each, both Inspirational Girl and Truly Great finish the Summer carnival rated 115.
A figure more than worthy of heading East for the Autumn.
For Inspirational Girl a race like the Queen Of The Turf at Randwick is well within her reach.
The Waterhouse & Bott trained Con Te Partiro ran that exact figure earlier in the year when beating Funstar.
The average winning figure for the last five years is 115, with only Alizee (118) and Azkadellia (116) bettering that mark during the period.
For Truly Great he has a bit more work to do if he is to win a Group 1, but he still should be very competitive, as you get the impression he has more to come.
Yet to be seen beyond 1800m this time in, his only previous attempt saw him very dominant when scoring easily at Belmont over 2200m.
The Perth Cup looked at his mercy prior to winning on the weekend (OHR 92 > 108) as you now suspect he won't head that way.
Interesting to see what they do elect to do with him, but either way he is a nice horse trending the right way.