'They're worth sticking with' - Graeme Rodway searches for reasons to take on Sun Chariot shortie Blue Bolt

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Four of the last ten winners of this race competed in the Matron Stakes before coming on to win the Sun Chariot and the question on everyone’s lips is whether there is any reason to oppose Leopardstown winner Blue Bolt, who bids for six wins on the spin and a fourth Group 1.

The first thing to address is can City Of Memphis, who finished two and a quarter lengths behind Blue Bolt in the Matron, reverse the places? City Of Memphis was returning from nearly four months off at Leopardstown, but she was beaten fair and square off a solid pace.

If City Of Memphis is to turn the tables on Blue Bolt, it looks like two things must happen. The first is that City Of Memphis needs to improve significantly for her Leopardstown run, and Blue Bolt will also have to take a backward step. It seems unlikely that both will happen.

Is it possible that Blue Bolt could confirm the Leopardstown places with City Of Memphis and still be beaten? That looks more plausible because the Atalanta Stakes, held at Sandown in August, has been a better guide than the Matron. It supplied three of the last five winners. 

Four of the seven runners competed in this year’s Atalanta, with Moon Target third, Secret Of Life fourth, Calendar Girl sixth and Kon Tiki ninth. However, the result was probably misleading because it was only a trial for this race and it developed into a real test of stamina.

That seemed to find out Kon Tiki and Calendar Girl, who were the two favourites but finished in the two lowest positions of the four who line up here. However, it looks significant that the market still has that pair ahead of Moon Target and Secret Of Life.

That is enough to convince me that Kon Tiki and Calendar Girl are worth sticking with and can be expected to take a big step forward from Sandown. Both are lightly raced and have potential for improvement, while they also represent stables that deserve maximum respect.

Jane Chapple-Hyam saddles Kon Tiki and won this five years ago with Saffron Beach, while Owen Burrows has long held Calendar Girl in high regard and talked about her as a potential 1,000 Guineas filly before things went wrong at the start of the season. That looks like a tip in itself.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

Moon team target upset

Moon Target carries the colours of 2023 winner Inspiral into a rematch with her Deauville conqueror Blue Bolt on the Rowley Mile, where she has previous course form, having finished third in the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes a year ago.

Sir Mark Prescott’s leading three-year-old missed this year’s Classics after a delayed start to this season, but has twice acquitted herself well at the top level, including when a close fourth to Precise in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Moon Target again finished behind Precise when the pair filled the places behind Blue Bolt in the Group 1 Prix Rothschild at Deauville, but has no Aidan O’Brien runner in opposition this time around.

Moon Target chases home Precise at Goodwood last yearCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Prescott's assistant William Butler said: "Moon Target was a busy two-year-old and ran some big races and this year her form has gone to another level. She was a very close up fourth in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot when she ran into a bit of trouble in a messy race. When you think there were two Guineas fillies in front of her, that form was very good."

"We learned last year to spread her races out and then we went to the Rothschild when we changed things around and made the running. Maybe a furlong and a half out, we thought we might do it, but then Blue Bolt and Precise came and got her."

It is hoped Moon Target will remain in training in 2027, and Butler added: “She stayed on well to be third in France, which was so important for her owners Cheveley Park Stud. She was a bit disappointing on soft ground after that in the Atalanta Stakes at Sandown, but it can be difficult coming back in grade when you think it will be easier. We’re taking on Blue Bolt again, but she goes there a fresh horse.”

What they say 

Owen Burrows, trainer of Calendar Girl
She came out of Sandown fine. She found it a bit on the soft side and the conditions should suit her here. She won the Oh So Sharp last year, but we're under no illusion the favourite will be hard to beat.

Marco Ghiani, rider of Kon Tiki
I’ve got some good history with Peter Harris [owner] and it’s a nice ride to have. She’s got some good form and is drawn next to the favourite, so hopefully she can win.

Ralph Beckett, trainer of Secret Of Life
It’s a tough race but she’s in good shape and the straight mile should suit her.
Reporting by David Milnes

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