European-trained runners have a superb record in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf having won all but four of the last 20 renewals. During that time all-conquering Irish handler Aidan O’Brien has notched up a record six winners in the 1m 4f contest on Breeders’ Cup day 2.
He saddles Anthony Van Dyck and Mount Everest this year’s renewal at Santa Anita on Saturday (23:40). The former looks the clear pick of the Ballydoyle pair.
This three-year-old son of Galileo has some top class form as a juvenile and enjoyed his finest hour on his second start this season when swooping late to land Classic glory in the Epsom Derby.
Anthony Van Dyck found plenty for pressure to beat Madhmoon by half-a-length and had subsequent Group 1 winners Japan and Circus Maximus in-behind in third and sixth respectively.
He was then not seen to best effect when chasing home stable campaign Sovereign in the Irish equivalent at The Curragh. The winner was gifted an easy, long lead in a farcically run race.
Fine effort in Champion Stakes
Anthony Van Dyck subsequently failed to fire when pitched into open company and a well-beaten 10th of 11 to Enable in the Group 1 King George at Ascot.
However, following a break, there was much more to like about his latest effort in the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes when a staying on, but never nearer 2 1/2 lengths third to stable companion Magical over an inadequate trip of 1m 2f.
That form has been franked with the winner going on to finish a fine fifth in the Arc, before landing the British Champion Stakes at Ascot.
The step back up to 1m 4f is sure to suit Anthony Van Dyck and he looks to have been brought along with this race firmly in mind.
So, at 9/4 with Ladbrokes, he looks worth siding with to get the better of the favourite Bricks And Mortar and provide O’Brien with a magnificent seven in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
Sistercharlie looks solid in Filly & Mare Turf
Sistercharlie is considered one of the bankers of the home team on Breeders’ Cup day 2.
She looks a worthy favourite at a standout 6/5 with 888sport to become the first back-to-back winner of the 1m 2f Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (20:54).
This five-year-old mare hails from the powerful yard of Chad Brown who has won 12 Breeders’ Cup races. Ten of those have come in the last five years with multiple winners in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
She comes into this year’s renewal having won all three starts this year, and was particularly impressive on seasonal debut when getting the better of very talented stablemate Rushing Fall in the Grade 1 Diana Stakes at Saratoga.
Sistercharlie powered to the front with a furlong to run and, despite having to make her move four wide, then found plenty to score by just under two lengths.
She then followed up in the Grade 1 Beverly D at Arlington when coming with a sustained run from off the pace to winning going away by three lengths from Awesometank.
Sistercharlie has since landed another Grade 1 success in the Flower Bowl at Belmont when again starting at the finish and accounting for Mrs Sippy by three-quarters of a length.
That sixth victory on the bounce at the highest level took her past the consecutive Grade 1 victory totals of the likes of American greats Affirmed, Seattle Slew and Wise Dan.
Sistercharlie now has her sights set on Zenyatta’s record of nine straight Grade 1 wins. This looks like a great opportunity for her to get one closer to that tally as her main market rival Magical has been retired for broodmare duties in the New Year.
Suedois each-way value in Mile
In the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile (22:30), Suedois looks cracking each-way value at 25/1 with BetVictor.
This David O’Meara trained eight-year-old has already enjoyed success in America having landed a Grade 1 at Keeneland back in October 2017.
He went on to round-off that campaign with a fourth of 14 to World Appeal in this contest when it was run at Del Mar.
Suedois then endured a long losing run, but that does not tell the whole story as he is a tough and consistent sort who has posted some cracking efforts in defeat.
They include when beaten just a nose by Sir Dancealot in last year’s Group 2 Lennox Stakes at Goodwood. Suedois also finished a fine 1 1/2 lengths third to the ill-fated Beat The Bank in a Group 2 at Ascot in July
He then got no luck in running whatsoever when a two-length third to old rival Sir Dancealot in the Lennox Stakes.
The son of Le Havre then gained compensation for that and a much deserved belated success when landing the Group 2 Superior Mile at the same venue by a neck from Momkin.
Suedois then ran well to finish three-length fourth to Space Traveller in a Group 2 at Leopardstown and comes into this on the back of a gallant three-quarters of a length third to Bowies Hero in a Grade 1 at Keeneland.
He is clearly in good heart at present, and this race will be run at a strong end-to-end gallop which will play to his strengths.
So, in relation to the aforementioned Space Traveller and Bowies hero, who are 10/1 and 16/1 respectively for this, Suedois looks overpriced and capable of outrunning his odds and hitting the frame at least on Breeders’ Cup day 2.
