In the Congo
Boom colts In The Congo and Americanrevolution became China Horse Club’s most recent stakes winners when annexing quality events in Australia and the USA respectively over the weekend. But it isn’t their performances alone that are deserving of celebration. The weight of exceptional performances in both leading racing jurisdictions from a raft of lightly raced performers including Captivant, Stay Inside, Artorius and Life Is Good is a case of genuine anticipation ahead of major carnivals.
CHC, In The Congo led home a ‘1-3-5’
In The Congo led home a ‘1-3-5’ result in the time honoured AUD160,000 G3 San Domenico Stakes for China Horse Club and partners. The veteran of only three previous starts, In The Congo showed natural early speed to take up the running in this small but elite field and the temerity to fend off continued attacks to add his name to an honour roll that includes no less than nine subsequent G1 winners over the last 20 runnings – Exceedance (2019), Japonisme (2015), Snitzerland (2012), Foxwedge (2011), Shellscrape (2009), Duporth (2008), Gold Edition (2006), Charge Forward (2004) and Regimental Gal (2003).
Stablemates Captivant, a last start winner of the G1 Champagne Stakes, and 2021 Golden Slipper hero Stay Inside finished third and fifth respectively in performances with considerable merit.
Captivant
“In The Congo was magnificent against a very high-quality field. The San Domenico Stakes has a rich history of being a launching platform for the spring and he answered the questions put to him,” said Michael Smith, China Horse Club’s Australian representative.
“We are reviewing opportunities for his next start. In The Congo is clearly a commercial colt prospect and he will be given chances to further build on his already exciting profile.
“Captivant, who finished a close up third, looks to have come back as well as could be expected. He has come through his race well and will press on towards the Run For The Roses ahead of the G1 Golden Rose Stakes.
“Stay Inside was caught in an awkward spot in the race but he sprinted better than it may have looked. He ran the second fasted last 600m and just got tired over the last 100m in what was his first run back this preparation. He has come out of the race well and remains on track for an exciting spring.”
Fellow Australian based three-year-old, Artorius, was making his seasonal bow in the AUD200,000 G3 McNeil Stakes (1200m) and delivered a performance that had to be seen to be believed. The G1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner skipped sideways at the point of the turn upon entering the straight and, from his position as a distant last, delivered a searing burst to miss by a stride.
“Artorius was exceptional as well and looks poised for a very exciting spring carnival,” Smith added.
“He has come through the race well and remains on track for his main target the G1 Caulfield Guineas.”
Across the Pacific, Americanrevolution continued his momentum building when streeting rivals by five lengths in the USD250,000 Albany Stakes at Saratoga. The chestnut colt had previously won the New York Derby by seven lengths. Americanrevolution has now won three of four career starts and is deserving of a tilt at higher honours.
“I thought we’d be a little closer to the pacesetter, but got a little traffic, a little dirt going around the first time,” Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher said.
“But he came away in good position turning up the backside and continued to improve his spot. He seemed like he was always travelling well.”
However, perhaps among this succession of impressive performances, the most engaging was delivered in defeat. Life Is Good, the one-time Kentucky Derby favourite, was making his long-awaited return after a minor setback in the USD500,000 G1 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes at Saratoga. Now trained by Pletcher, Life Is Good scorched from the front throughout the seven-furlong contest, led into the straight, was headed, fought back and only went down by a neck.
“It is great to have Life Is Good back. He lost nothing in defeat. Post-race, everyone is talking about both Jackie’s Warrior and Life Is Good and deservedly so,” said Michael Wallace, China Horse Club’s Chief Operating Officer.
“Life Is Good recorded a day high 135 USA Timeform Speed Rating and has come out of the race well. He did lose a right shoe in running which only adds merit to the run.
“We will let the dust settle and plot a path forward that we hope will let Life Is Good showcase his exceptional abilities.”