THE last time Ryan Moore won the Cesarewitch he carried just 8st and executed a genius hold up plan to lead in the last stride.
Moore hasn’t ridden below 8st 9lb for a long time, so it will come as no surprise that it’s now 24 years on that, on Saturday, he heads to Newmarket needing to execute a similarly daredevil ride live on ITV.
In 2002 it was Miss Fara for Martin Pipe who gave young Moore his first big-race success.
It was an early sign of his worldy skills.
Held up out the back, Miss Fara made some headway 2f out before running on to lead in the last stride to defeat Dermot Weld’s Direct Bearing by a head.
Now, Moore is on top DAWN RISING for another man in Joseph O’Brien who is proven as a class handler of both jumps and Flat horses.
And for coincidence backers there is another link to the National Hunt scene which might signal a big run for the JP McManus-owned gelding.
In modern racing history – possibly ever – only one horse has finished second in the Cesarewitch and won the race the following year, and that was Caracciola who took the prize in 2008.
He was trained by Nicky Henderson, also a dual-purpose maestro.
Last year Dawn Rising failed to hold off the re-opposing Beylerbeyi by a length and a quarter.
He goes today off the same mark of 97, while his conqueror is up 10lb.
Dawn Rising has shown little in recent starts, but it’s not hard to imagine he’s been laid out for this.
The son of Galileo gets a lovely draw in stall five and I’m chancing him each-way.
At the age of nine he’s not going to be getting any better.
But being a pensioner is no hindrance to Cesarewitch winners.
The Shunter (aged 10), Aaim to Prosper (eight), Caracciola (11), Landing Light (eight) and Top Cees (nine) were all victors who were equally elder statesmen.
As is often the case, some of Ireland’s shrewdest handlers are out to take the Cesarewitch, including Charles Byrnes, who has last year’s fifth (sent off favourite at 7-2) in Reverend Hubert under Kieran Shoemark and Cock and Bull, raiding for Emmet Mullins.
James Doyle partners him for the first time.
Away from the ‘Ces’, all eyes are on DESERT CASTLE in the juvenile event that often decides Europe’s champion juvenile.
The Group 1 Darley Dewhurst has fallen to champions over the years including City of Troy, Frankel, Rock of Gibraltar, Zafonic and El Gran Senor.
Desert Castle is owned and bred by Godolphin and is by Frankel out of a Dubawi mare.
It doesn’t get much better than that when it comes to horsey parents.
William Buick rides for Charlie Appleby on a colt who is unbeaten in two starts and having won on debut at Newmarket went to Doncaster and bolted up in the Group 2 Champagne Stakes.
Aidan O’Brien throws both Darkness Falls – the Group 1 Golden Fleece hero partnered by Moore and already towards the head of the market for the 2027 Derby – and Coventry winner Great Barrier Reef at Desert Castle.
But most expect him to win well.
Earlier on the card Roger Varian will have high hopes of taking the Group 3 Emirates Autumn Stakes for Godolphin which wouldn’t be a bad idea for relations considering the sponsor!
Varian saddles ROCK MONTREAL who cost 1,000,000gns and started off in decent but green fashion at Yarmouth.
He learnt a lot from that and then went to the Listed Scotsman at Doncaster finishing second to Forbidden Fire.
Ray Dawson’s mount was staying on well that day and would have won in another stride or two.
William Buick takes over here with a huge chance.
Meanwhile, Coolmore will bid to bang in the Group 3 Native Trail Zetland Stakes via DRUMBEAT.
The son of Wootton Bassett was a decent winner (dead-heated) of a maiden at Gowran in early September.
However, it was his third in Group company last time that looks interesting.
He was only third to Noble Exhibit in the Beresford but he kept on well suggesting he needed further than that mile.
He gets that here in what looks a far from strong renewal.
As dawn rises on Saturday morning – let’s hope for a cracking day of action.
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