Friday, 29 July 2005: We got off to a good start at Goodwood when Tartouche won the Lillie Langtry at 7/2.
She is trained near here by Lady Herries (who also bred her) and following her good showing against Gonbarda we had a feeling she could do well here. Without a Trace was pressing but Tartouche got home well and no, she won't be coming for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.
Then Fire Up The Band got the Audi after nearly losing it through hanging badly but he held off The Tatling (who had won this two years ago) with Moss Vale in third - he's also entered in the Nunthorpe.
Distinction took the cup by half a length from Golden Quest with Millenary in third spot, and it looks like he could be heading back to Australia for another tilt at the Melbourne Cup and probably the Caulfield Cup. The second horse also is considering Melbourne but will have some other engagements prior to final decisions being made. And it was so good to see Millenary up there and doing it well, if a bit back of the first two.
In the second last Alexandrova finished third despite having every chance in the race. She may be a slow developer as she so far hasn't shown on the racecourse what she has shown on the gallops.
Today's card at Goodwood sees the G2 Richmond Stakes with six runners - Amigoni is favourite at 15/8, then Upper Hand 7/2, Matawajid 9/2, 11/2 Mullaad, 7/1 Green Pride and 10/1 Always Hopeful. On paper the O'Brien horse should do it but there's been quite a bit of recent racing, however Black Charmer's run the other day endorses the form.
In the second race there's a German filly Anna Mondo, who was very unlucky last start in Germany and at 7/1 looks like a reasonable proposition.
