The Dispatch Box: Tepin aims for Royal Ascot, Frank Conversation to UAE Derby

The pleasure of Tepin’s presence has been requested at Royal Ascot, and the reigning champion turf mare looks primed to accept the invitation to the ultimate garden party – specifically for the Queen Anne (G1) on opening day, June 14.

“Sometimes in this sport you have to do the sporting thing,” owner Robert Masterson told the TDN’s Bill Finley. “She might just be a once-in-a-lifetime horse, and when you get a horse like that, you need to take advantage of the opportunities.”

As one who appreciates international aspirations, I’m delighted that Tepin’s connections are thinking along these lines. Aside from the prestige factor, and the natural desire to let your champion go global, the move makes sense based on Tepin’s own record, the European mile scene, and North American racing calendar.

Tepin sluices through rain-affected tracks, so she won’t mind a bit of rain in Berkshire. Nor would the cool-weather lover mind if the clouds hold down the temperatures, keeping it more pleasant than the summer heat prevailing back home.

Of course, the mile down Royal Ascot’s straightaway is a different proposition from the turning courses Tepin has known so far. Based on her Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) performance, however, she deserves the chance. And as I’ve written before, the European mile scene has an open look once you get past defending Queen Anne champion Solow. The Aga Khan’s Ervedya would be a major player if she crosses the Channel as well, but it’s not as though there’s an entire field of heavyweights lying in wait.

Finally, Tepin wouldn’t exactly be missing much in North America at that point. A good performance in the Queen Anne – even in defeat – would have far greater magnitude than a repeat victory in the Just a Game (G1) on Belmont Day. And since her only losses of 2015 came at Saratoga, it wouldn’t be dreadful if she snubs the Spa this time around.

Frank Conversation goes for the money in Dubai: As first reported by Finley on Wednesday, and confirmed in Santa Anita’s Friday notes, El Camino Real Derby (G3) winner Frank Conversation is bound for the $2 million UAE Derby (G2) on Dubai World Cup night.

Trainer Doug O’Neill admitted that the Mideast adventure might have a negative effect on his chances of making it to the Kentucky Derby (G1).

“I understand that if you go all the way to Dubai you might zap some of his energy and that could affect him when it comes to the Kentucky Derby, but the purse is so large at $2 million.

“For us, that may be our Kentucky Derby,” O’Neill told Finley.

Of course, Reddam and O’Neill already have a premier Kentucky Derby hopeful in Nyquist. While it’s usually a good idea to have a backup, Frank Conversation has yet to prove himself on dirt. The Kentucky Derby trail is only going to get tougher from here, and he’d be facing stiffer competition in the preps for less money than they’re dangling at Meydan. The 3-year-old males over there have appeared a substandard bunch, well below the superb filly Polar River, who’s also on course for the UAE Derby. I can see the appeal, especially if they don’t think Frank Conversation is a proper Kentucky Derby horse. That’s the inescapable subtext.

Intilaaq a World Cup dark horse? British-based Intilaaq, who hinted of big things to come during a stop-start campaign in 2015, is preparing for the Dubai World Cup (G1). Trainer Roger Varian sent him out to Southwell for a piece of exercise on the Fibresand, where he could get accustomed to the kickback. According to reports, it sounds like he’ll go straight to the World Cup without a prep race.

A Sheikh Hamdan homebred by Dynaformer out of French classic winner Torrestrella, Intilaaq got an honorable mention in my Reilly Turf Awards (see the “What-might-have-been” category). He’s an exciting talent who looks a true Group 1 performer in the making.

That said, kicking off 2016 with a dirt debut in the World Cup looks a bit audacious. The trends are very much stacked against trying to win the World Cup off a layoff, and Intilaaq hasn’t run since early August. Half-sister Farmah flopped on the dirt last Dubai Carnival. To top it off, he’s been compared to Nayef, who was a distant third in the 2003 World Cup. I love Intilaaq as an individual, but in the circumstances, he’s probably set for a minor award at best – like Nayef.

In other World Cup odds and ends, Hokko Tarumae is swerving Sunday’s February S. (G1). Having completed a three-peat in the January 27 Kawasaki Kinen off a busy end to his year, Japan’s hope is being kept fresh ahead of his third World Cup bid.

Former Juddmonte colorbearer Teletext isn’t on the original list of World Cup nominees, but I wonder if his resounding success in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup (aka King’s Cup) in Riyadh might put him into the picture. By Empire Maker, Teletext was a useful French sophomore of 2014 who just didn’t progress as hoped last term. A switch to the Saudi dirt has helped, and he’s now three-for-four at his new home base:

 

Spalato eyes Golden Shaheen: Singapore celebrity Spalato captured an about five-furlong dash on the Kranji Polytrack Sunday. Defying top weight while returning from a three-month layoff, the John O’Hara trainee blasted his final 200 meters in :22.25 (according to Trakus) to get up a shade cozily.

Next on the agenda is the March 6 Merlion Trophy, but connections are eagerly looking ahead to a crack at the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1). Although Spalato disappointed in his past international travel to Hong Kong (late 2014), it’s not fair to hold that against him now. Uncomfortable trying to adapt to the right-handed way of going in Hong Kong, he came up with hip problems. Those are behind him, and he’ll be in his element turning left at Meydan.

Winx stars at the Apollo: Going into Winx’s comeback in the Apollo (G2) at Randwick, trainer Chris Waller said he understood the kind of pressure that Black Caviar’s team was under – he too has a superstar mare who’s expected to keep winning. Although Winx isn’t unbeaten, she’d won her last five straight in 2015, capped by terrific victories over males in the Epsom H. (G1) and the Cox Plate (G1). And she made it six in the Apollo, cruising to the fore late under confident handling. For all her apparent ease, Winx posted the fastest final splits in the 1400-meter test (:33.84 and :11.40, according to racenet.com.au). An honorable second was Solicit, rounding out the exacta for daughters of Street Cry.

Winx is even better over longer, so her Apollo score is just a warm-up act. The February 27 Chipping Norton (G1) is her next likely port of call, with her main aim of the Australian autumn being the A$4 million Queen Elizabeth (G1) on April 9.

As far as last Saturday’s C.F. Orr (G1) at Caulfield went, Suavito deserves credit for winning a hotly competitive first start back from surgery. Yet she did benefit from the perfect trip in a congested race. Fast-finishing second Lucky Hussler got free too late, while Fenway never saw daylight and crossed the line under a snug hold. Also at Caulfield, flying sophomore filly Heatherly smashed older horses in the Rubiton (G3), stamping her ticket to the February 27 Oakleigh Plate (G1).

In New Zealand, highly regarded Xtravagant bounced back from a recent loss to dominate his elders in the NRM Sprint (G1). The Pentire colt is now on course to storm the March 5 Australian Guineas (G1).