Easy Date for Redoutes Choice

        It was good to see plenty of Australian blood showing up in group races across the world on the weekend with Merchant Navy and Southern Legend, dominating their races. There was an upset in the Irish 2000 Guineas and success for the gold shoes of Battaash who scored in England .  A friend in the states pointed out the success of the Redoutes Choice/Snippets cross and that certainly come to the fore with Not A Single Doubt bloodline in the Kranji Mile on the weekend but the Snippets connection is also there with Merchant Navy being out of the Snippets mare Legally Bay.

• Battaash -- The French sprinter finished strongly to win the group 2 Temple Stakes at the Haydock meeting, in England, on Saturday . The Prix de L'abbaye Stks winner and his gold shoes scored in his first run back, this preperation and trainer Charlie Hills says he is still considering, the Everest in Sydney, for the Dark Angel gelding. 

• Merchant Navy -- The European debut of the Australian bred Merchant Navy could not have been more impressive as the sprinter pulled clear in the final stages under strong riding from Ryan Moore in the Group 2 Greenland Stakes. The Fastnet Rock entire was warming up for a start in the Diamond Jubilee at Ascot and then more than likely stud duties at the Coolmore operation in Australia. He is now into 5/1 for the Jubilee. 

  A Group 1 winner in Australia - Merchant Navy picks up strongly to win the Group 2 @weatherbysltd Ireland Greenlands Stakes on his first start for Aidan O'Brien: pic.twitter.com/CSpCLEt8Tl

  — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 26, 2018

• Romanised -- The Holy Roman Emperor 3yo colt upset his more fancied rivals in the Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh . Romanised went out at 25/1 and provided trainer, Ken Condon, a deserving classic victory. Ridden by Shane Foley, he produced a run down the outside to overtake the Aidan O'Brien US Navy Flag to shock the Curragh crowd.

• Singapore -- It was a group one feast at the Singapore Turf Club yesterday and Hong Kong horses were to the forefront with the Australian bred, Southern Legend, stamping himself as a true group one horse by smashing his rivals in the Kranji Mile. Ridden by Zac Purton the Not a Single Doubt son controlled the race from the front and when asked for an effort, exploded clear to win. He is out of the Carnegie mare , Donna's Appeal. The Gr1 Singapore Guineas was won by Mr Clint who was bred at Cambridge Stud, New Zealand, he is by Power out of the Zabeel mare Victoria Belle. Ridden by Zac and trained by Lee Freedman. While Glen Boss took out the Gr1 Lion City Cup on Lim’s Cruiser. He is by the Flying Spur stallion, Casino Prince who has produced many good gallopers including the awesomely bred All Too Hard. He stands at Vinery Stud  .

 Not A Single Doubt by Redoutes Choice out of Single Bars. He Stands at Arrowfield Stud

Single Bars mum is one of the blue hens of Australian racing, Easy Date who produced the legendary Snippets. 

Idaho and the Kentucky Derby

Idaho -- In England, the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes at Chester was won by the Aiden O'brien trained Galileo mare, Idaho, who is out of the full sister to Fastnet Rock, Hveger. After six consecutive group 1 starts, a drop back to group 3 did the trick with Ryan Moore in the saddle who gave her a cruisy run, until bursting through along the rails to win by 3 and half lengths. I feel a group one awaits her after the two placings in the English and Irish Derbys last year. Aiden O'brien says "she will be aimed at either the Coronation Cup or King George". 

Kentucky Derby -- The undefeated Justify won the 144th Kentucky Derby after his gate speed overcame a tricky draw for jockey Mick Smith to take up a prominant position.The 3yo Scat Daddy colt sat just off the strong pace set by Promises Fulfilled in the wet conditions and once he hit the front, on the far turn he looked strong and maintained a break to the winning post. Scat Daddy is a Johannesburg stallion. 

Justify Kentucky Derby 

Kentucky Oaks -- The winner Monomy Girl led most of the way and showed great fight to hold off all challenges. After some easy victories lately she put a stamp on herself as a fighter as well. The million dollar Kentucky Oaks takes her record to 6 wins of 7 starts. She is a Tapizar mare. 

Saxon Warrior -- Last week the son of the Japanese stallion Deep Impact recorded a good win in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, for trainer, Aiden O'brien. Which gave him his 300th Group one winner. He could well be the horse to take the triple crown for the Coolmore Operation as they have his sights firmly set on an Epsom Derby and St Leger start. These distances should be way more suitable than the mile of the Guineas.  

Saxon Warrior 2000 Guineas 

Longines World Rankings -- Last week saw the release of the latest world ranking by Longines and finally at the top of the tree is Australias, great mare, Winx. Who scored 130 rating in her last start,the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick before heading for the spelling paddock.  After being unbeaten for over three years and during that time sitting just behind the great California Chrome and other USA horses Arrogate and Gun Runner. Last week saw her reach the top and joining her in the top ten were two other Aussies. The warhorse, Happy Clapper and Snitzel's, three year old colt, Trapeze Artist.