Although it was billed as a match race, the group I Sussex Stakes at Goodwood in England ended up being all about one horse: the undefeated sophomore Frankel.
Only four horses were entered in the prestigious event, with English 2,000 Guineas (Eng-I) winner Frankel sent off as the favorite over Canford Cliffs, who had defeated the three-time Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. I) winner Goldikova in his previous start. Prior to the running of the Sussex, racing fans all over the world were wondering whether the proven four-year-old Canford Cliffs was up to defeating the remarkable Frankel, undefeated in seven starts against his own age division but who had never faced an older horse.
As it turned out, the race wasn't even close. Frankel broke well and went straight to the lead under Tom Queally. Canford Cliffs settled into second under Richard Hughes, with Rio de la Plata and Rajsaman trailing the closely-bunched field. Frankel continued to lead the way unchallenged until approaching the final quarter of a mile, when Canford Cliffs made a run along the rail to try and challenge him. But when Queally asked Frankel for run, the response was simply breathtaking. Frankel exploded away from his rivals with an incredible turn of foot, leaving Canford Cliffs far behind en route to an astonishing six length victory. Canford Cliffs, who drifted outward in the final stages of the race, finished second while Rio de la Plata claimed third.
It was perhaps Frankel's most impressive performance to date. The ease at which the Henry Cecil-trained colt left his rivals behind was simply amazing. The colt is now a perfect 8-for-8.
-Keelerman
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