Bay Bridge
May 27th, 2022 | Marten's Current Racing Diary
Hi there,
Some of you will be aware that I have expressed great enthusiasm in my publications for the prospects of Bay Bridge this season, but for all that I was surprised by the change of gear he unleashed to pull five lengths clear of Mostahdaf in last night’s Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown.
The one thing he appeared to lack last season was a turn of foot. In each of his four successes he had dug deep and stayed on, leaving the impression that he would require a step up to a mile and a half – as reflected in his pedigree – if he were to win in Group-class company.
Mind you, despite last night’s impressive victory over a mile and a quarter I still believe, as I suspect Sir Michael Stoute does, that the four-year-old has scope for further improvement over an extra quarter mile.
Obviously for stud purposes connections would like to enhance his value by winning a Group 1 over a mile and a quarter, with the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot now looking the obvious target.
On a line through the runner-up, Bay Bridge ran to a figure of 120 – 8lbs above his mark – and through Addeybb, beaten six lengths, he ran to 126, although the market weakness beforehand suggested that horse was not deemed ready to show his best.
Given that the winner had a little in hand I expect him to be raised to 121/122, which would put him within 5lbs of possible Ascot rivals Adayar and Mishriff and ahead of Shahryar and Lord North.
This doesn’t account for probable improvement from this first run, nor the conditions on the day, with possible ease underfoot strongly favouring Addeybb.
Bay Bridge won last might in a time almost three seconds quicker than The Whipmaster over the same distance in the first, so all in all this must go down as an impressive performance.
As I say, though, he could be even more exciting over a mile and a half. If all goes well at Royal Ascot it will be interesting to see if the trainer opts for the Coral-Eclipse or the King George. My view is that he will not step up in trip if the horse can keep winning at ten furlongs.
Bye for now
Marten
