24 Jun 2023 - NEWS
O'BRIEN AND MOORE TAKE TOP TRAINER AND JOCKEY TITLESCommonwealth Cup 2016: Gifted can Master sprint rivals
Posted in: Royal Ascot Tips
The Commonwealth Cup wasn’t met with universal approval when run for the first time in 2015, with some observers feeling the race detracted from the two Group 1 sprints already run at the Royal meeting, the King’s Stand Stakes and the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.
However, Muhaarar put those doubts to bed with arguably the most memorable performance of the entire meeting and – Timeform’s champion sprinter after three further Group 1 victories – he certainly gives the 2016 participants a hard act to follow.
Acapulco created a similarly deep impression when blitzing her rivals in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot last year and she went on to run a huge race when second in her bid to become the first two-year-old filly to win the Nunthorpe Stakes since 1992. A winner of two minor races in her native USA recently, she is currently a clear 3/1 favourite with Betfair for the Commonwealth Cup and – joint top-rated with Timeform – she does look to hold obvious claims.
However, she appeared to tire quite badly at the end of the Nunthorpe and, with an extra furlong to contend with at Ascot, she might prove vulnerable to a stronger stayer at the trip. Her powerful physique also gave her a significant advantage over her contemporaries last year, but she perhaps doesn't have the same scope for improvement as a result and looks worth opposing at the current prices on offer.
Gifted Master joins her at the top of the Timeform ratings for the race and is Acapulco's nearest challenger in the market. Unbeaten in five starts since a gelding operation halfway through last season, he produced a very smart performance to score over the C&D of the Commenwealth Cup in a Group 3 last month, dismissing some promising types in dominant fashion and looking tailor-made for a follow up bid next month.
He makes more appeal than Washington DC, who could only manage a disappointing seventh when sent off favourite that day. Aidan O'Brien's charge has since redeemed himself with a decisive success in a listed race at Navan recently, but that doesn't look the strongest form on offer here and he still has 11 lb to find with Gifted Master on Timeform ratings.
There's no reason why he should reverse the placings on that evidence, a comment that also applies to Dream Dubai (second) and Dhahmaan (fourth). That duo were behind Godolphin's Log Out Island in the Carnarvon Stakes at Newbury last time, with the winner showing a similar level of form to Acapulco and Gifted Master. He may have been slightly flattered on the day, though, and a repeat of his forceful tactics might not be so successful at Ascot.
Godolphin also have the Mark Johnston-trained pair of Lumiere and Buratino engaged in the race and both are possibles after struggling in their respective races on Guineas weekend. The former shaped as if something was amiss in the 1000 Guineas and is passed over with something to prove at present, but Buratino ran a more encouraging race in the colts' classic. He simply failed to stay on that occasion and last year's Coventry Stakes winner could yet develop into a very smart sprinter.
La Rioja remains unexposed on the back of an impressive Group 3 victory in September, while Kachy and Besharah got back on track recently after below par starts to the campaign. Group-winning two-year-olds Ajaya, Illuminate and Quiet Reflection also need to be respected in what looks set to be a hugely competitive affair.
However, it is hard to escape from the consistent profile of Gifted Master, who was most impressive over the C&D in April and promises to be a flagbearer for the Hugo Palmer yard this season and beyond. Buratino remains with potential in this sphere, but the selection has far better recent form to his name and makes plenty of appeal at the 13/2 currently on offer.
Click here to back Gifted Master at 13/2 in the 2016 Commonwealth Cup
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