Something special in the air on day of fast and furious action

ON A day of breathless action dubbed Super Saturday in Britain, all eyes will be on a pair of standout attractions who would illuminate any race meeting with their presence.

While it seems as if a Group race, Listed event, top-class handicap or intriguing maiden will take place every five minutes or so from the ITV meetings at Newmarket, Ascot and York, there is little doubt the horses most people can’t wait to see are Aidan O’Brien’s unbeaten sprinter Caravaggio in the Group 1 Darley July Cup at Newmarket and John Gosden’s brilliant Oaks winner Enable in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh.

Racing always gets excited about horses who remain unbeaten after a handful of starts, sometimes without real good reason.

However, that enthusiasm is fully justified in the case of Caravaggio, winner of all his six races, including the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot last month.

O’Brien is never frightened to wax lyrical about the potential of his blue-blooded stars, but something in his tone gives you the distinct impression he believes Caravaggio is ultra-special and potentially one of the best sprinters we’ve seen for some time.

Ryan Moore’s reaction to Caravaggio’s three-quarter-length royal meeting success over Harry Angel and Blue Point, two very smart performers in their own right, also left you craving more.

It was the manner in which Caravaggio, settled way off the pace by Moore on that occasion, powered through in the final two furlongs to record a second Group 1 triumph.

Even though he was given plenty to do, there was never any moment when it didn’t look as though the Scat Daddy colt was going to get past his two big rivals and that’s usually the sign of an exceptional performer.

Caravaggio, rated the fastest horse O’Brien has trained, is likely to have improved since Ascot based on what both trainer and rider said immediately afterwards and, while that’s a thrilling prospect for all racing enthusiasts, it’s a truly daunting one for connections of the nine horses who oppose him on the July course, including richly talented trio Limato, Harry Angel and Diamond Jubilee Stakes hero The Tin Man.

Gosden jewel out to sparkle at the Curragh

If that race isn’t enough to satisfy everyone, there is also a top-class meeting at the Curragh, featuring the Darley Irish Oaks.

Enable has upwards of 10lb in hand on her nine rivals based on official figures, and could not have been more impressive when landing the Epsom equivalent by five lengths from Rhododendron last month, and a reproduction of that striking performance should ensure another commanding success with Frankie Dettori back in the saddle.

Be prepared for a good old study-up

Those who feast on top-class handicaps are spoiled for choice, with York’s £200,000 John Smith’s Cup, Newmarket’s £120,000 bet365 Bunbury Cup, and Ascot’s £100,000 totescoop6 Heritage Handicap the three obvious standouts.

A low draw is often perceived to be an advantage on the Knavesmire round course, and the 1m2½f John Smith’s Cup could provide the opportunity to put young apprentice Raymond Dawson in the spotlight.

He partners last month’s course-and-distance scorer Big Country from stall four for Mick Appleby and may well bounce back from a subsequent 1m4f Haydock defeat now dropped in trip.

Another of the season’s most prestigious and competitive handicaps, the Bunbury Cup, looks devilishly difficult to solve as always, but Mick Easterby’s much-improved Robero must be high on any punter’s list just four days after making all over 6f at Pontefract.

The five-year-old did not have a hard race that day, and a 5lb penalty has got him into this cavalry charge off a nice, low weight. He merits the utmost respect.

David Simcock, two-handed in the 20-runner totescoop6 Heritage Handicap with Polybius and Doctor Sardonicus, could hold the answer, but with which one?

Polybius, who drops to five furlongs after finishing fourth in the Wokingham, has always shown a high cruising speed and looks the more likely of the pair under Oisin Murphy, one of the riding sensations of the season.

Superstars, super races, super punting opportunities . . . guess it really is Super Saturday.