Sue Montgomery: Workforce must sweat to earn place among Turf's aristocracy

Inside Track

(Martin Lynch)

A cool million on offer this afternoon, and just six runners. The lay sports fan might look askance at such a seemingly poor turnout for such a huge reward and feel that perhaps those involved in the sport should not be collectively whingeing so much about its parlous financial state.

But the reality is that, though the prizes in racing's basement are indeed heading to be worth little more than a gymkhana rosette and a bad horse eats as much as a good one, the purse for a race such as the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes must be maintained, even if not many always turn up to have a crack at it.

The status of the all-aged contest, for more than half a century the centrepiece of the middle- distance summer programme, has been increasingly coming under threat from two recent shifts in emphasis. One is the notion that a mile and a half is no longer the optimum distance over which a potential stallion should prove himself, but the maximum; another is the expansion globally of an autumn programme that provides hugely valuable targets.

Part of the received wisdom has meant that the Ascot race is not now automatically on the schedule for the best three-year-olds and, in particular, for the Derby winner. The last to win was Galileo nine years ago (doing his stud career no harm), the last to take part was Kris Kin, third two years later.

That undesirable trend has been reversed, in spades today. Not only is the Epsom hero Workforce in the field, but also his Irish counterpart Cape Blanco, the best two of their generation in their division. And if there are only a few older horses to test them, well, there are generally only ever a few top-class middle-distance horses in circulation. Whatever the King George is, the Grand National it ain't. It is the preserve of quality, not quantity; an occasion for purists.

Though the first prize of £567,700 in the Betfair-sponsored Group One feature is back-pocket change compared with a colt's potential earnings in his second career in the breeding barn, it is not a bad bird in the hand along the way (stud success is never guaranteed; one of the best winners, Daylami, for instance, is now covering jump mares in Ireland) and integral to the structure of the season, the scaffolding of which is eroded at peril.

And for those obsessed with narrative, today's could hardly be more compelling. The re- appearance of the Derby winner is always a thrill, and that of this one, who produced one of the most visually arresting Epsom performances in recent years when he won by seven lengths in record time, particularly so.

The list of Epsom winners on the King George roll of honour indicates the calibre of horse Workforce will have to be to come through the crucible of the sternest test of his still-developing career. Tulyar was the first, in the race's second running in 1952, followed by Pinza, Nijinsky, Mill Reef, Grundy, The Minstrel, Troy, Shergar, Reference Point, Nashwan, Generous, Lammtarra and Galileo.

Between the two three-year-olds there is a bit of previous; back in May, Workforce had been put in his place by Cape Blanco in their Classic trial at York. It emerged afterwards that Ryan Moore, on Workforce, had had precious little in the way of brakes or steering after the metal bit slipped through his mount's mouth, but also that Cape Blanco had hurt himself in running, suffering a nasty flesh wound, so, notwithstanding Workforce's undoubted improvement since, the game may still be on.

Cape Blanco, on whom the suspended Johnny Murtagh's deputy Colm O'Donoghue has been given the chance to shine, did dodge the immediate rematch in the Derby and flopped in the shorter Prix du Jockey-Club but showed himself a true, gutsy 12-furlong performer, and the best under Aidan O'Brien's care this year, at the Curragh. The last time the two premier Derby winners met in the King George was when the Irish victor, Alamshar, proved Kris Kin's master.

And there is a challenge to the still-callow colt's reputation from much closer than Ballydoyle. He has but to glance across the main yard at Freemason Lodge to see Harbinger, the perceived best of the older brigade. The four-year-old is exactly the sort of improver with which his trainer, Sir Michael Stoute, excels and, although this will be his first venture into top company, his graph of progression is firmly upwards. Overlaying the stablemates' talent, though, is the frisson of doubt prompted by the below-par form of some of the yard's other inmates.

The other three runners (who include Confront, to be sacrificed as pacemaker for the Stoute pair) are all at double-figure odds and it says much for the perceived quality of the principals when a horse like Youmzain, three times the Arc runner-up and twice placed in today's race, is dismissed by the market as the outsider.

No female has won a King George since Time Charter 27 years ago and, with Dar Re Mi's defection because of a bruised foot yesterday, Daryakana is the sole distaff representative. Her trainer Alain de Royer-Dupré does not tend to run his charges out of their depth, particularly out of France, and, although Workforce must be the choice to triumph, it would not be a total surprise to see the four-year-old filly outrun her odds.

Demolition derbies: Wonder horses or spent forces?

In winning the Derby by seven lengths, Workforce looked like a superhorse, with a margin of victory bettered or equalled on only four occasions in 230 years. Two of his predecessors went on to glory; the other two flopped. Today we will know whether our latest hero can truly rank as a legend of the Turf.

Shergar 1981: 10 lengths

One of the all-time greats. His Derby romp was the third of five successive runaway wins, preceded by Classic trials at Sandown (10 lengths) and Chester (12 lengths) and followed by the Irish Derby and King George (each four lengths).

Manna 1925: Eight lengths

Followed an easy 2,000 Guineas success with victory at Epsom, beating subsequent Irish Derby winner Zionist. But failed to win again, beaten at Ascot and in the St Leger, behind Solario, who was easily the best of his generation.

Troy 1979: Seven lengths

The European champion, winning the Irish Derby, King George and York International after the Derby. Past his best when third in the Arc in his final run.

Slip Anchor 1985: Seven lengths

Made all the running for his headstrong Derby victory from subsequent Irish Derby winner Law Society. But, compromised by injury, never won again in three outings, including being left for dead by Pebbles in Champion Stakes.

Turf Account: Sue Montgomery

Nap

Valencha (7.35 Salisbury)

Can make it third time lucky after two sound runner-up spots, first at Salisbury and then at tricky Lingfield, when the winner, Lutine Bell, very much had the run of the race and has scored since. The return to today's testing six furlongs likely to suit.

Next best

Valery Borzov (3.40 York)

Below his last winning mark (over today's course and distance), has the visor reapplied for the first time by his present trainer, Richard Fahey, and has the ground in his favour.

One to watch

Pickwick (Sir M Stoute)

A three-year-old half-brother to talented Zacinto, the son of Selkirk showed enough on his belated debut when fifth at Leicester to indicate that the patience meted out by his connections will be rewarded.

Where the money's going

Away from the glitter of the Flat at Ascot and Goodwood, Luska Lad is the punters' choice for Thursday's Galway Hurdle, cut to 10-1 from 12s by Paddy Power.

Chris McGrath's nap

Miss Zooter (3.20 Newmarket)