Qatar Prix du Cadran : A long distance Call the Wind

Call the Wind (Frankel) had never run in a group race before, nor over a distance greater than 2800m. Despite all this, he was the one taking home the win for the Qatar Prix du Cadran (Gr1), soundly beating Holdthasigreen (Hold that Tiger). Morgan le Faye (Shamardal), finishing in style, completes the podium. A troublesome colt, Call the Wind seems to have found his sporting niche within the stayers races.

How they ran

• 1st – Call the Wind: broke well and travelled in 3rd, somewhat keen. At the intersection of the tracks, the halfway point, he got his chance because the leader, Holdthatsigreen kept on the outside. His jockey, Aurelien Lemaitre let him shift towards the rail, going under the nose of max Dynamite. He briefly found himself in the lead before Holdthasigreen returned to challenge him. As they turned into the final straight, he matched the accelaration of the latter before taking the lead in the last 100m, securing his win in a thrilling finish.
• 2nd- Holdthatsigreen: Keeping to his tactic of predilection, he travelled with the leading pack and quickened his pace as he entered the home straight. Only Call the Wind and Morgan Le Faye were able to follow. In the end he conceded to Call the Wind’s final attack.
• 3rd – Morgan Le Faye: travelled in last place before coming up on the outside to fight for the win two furlongs from the post. Made an impressive effort and looked like the winner before her lack of experience made her weaken against the two leaders, settling in third.
• 4rth – Line des Ongrais: sat in behind Montaly. Pushed along by his jockey Morgan Delalande in the false straight, he fought bravely to take fourth place.
• 5th – Mille et Mille: broke well and travelled along the front-runners, before Holdthasigreen took command of the race, passing the windmill. Tried to pick up in the straight but couldn’t catch the first three. Then had to settle for 5th place as Line des Ongrais came to take home the 4rth.
• 6th -  Max Dynamite : starting keenly, he travelled in mid-division before coming up to join the leaders, approaching 3rd place halfway along the course. Faded badly in the final straight.
• 7th - Nardo: Travelled in last place, never any impression.
• 8th – Montaly: settled in the middle of the pack but faded badly.

Quotes

Freddy Head (trainer of Call the Wind, 1st)

"I never thought he would win throughout the race, he was too keen. Normally he is quite lazy but he has improved over 4,000m, it’s not the same pace as 2,800m. Aurélien Lemaitre rode him well, on his own, so he would relax. When Morgan Le Faye came, I thought that we were beat, but he picked up at the end. He was an awful colt to train, he refused to go in the stalls, hence why he debuted at Machecoul. He’s not used to stalls. I stepped him up in trip as he always finished his races. He will definitely travel and run in the good staying races next year.... but not Australia as he lacks speed."

Claude Le Lay (co-owner of Holdthasigreen, 2nd)

"It’s very annoying. He did all the work for the others. We know that he didn’t have any problems with a good pace so he pulled the others along. The scenario would have been ideal if the others had gone on too. But that’s racing! He has a few nicks, and as long as they are not too bad, we will aim for the Royal Oak. He will tell us."

Lisa-Jane Graffard (represnting Godolphin, owner of Morgan le Faye, 3e)

"We are very pleased with her. She looked at one moment to be coming to win, but she hung a bit in the finish. Nontheless, she accelerated well and there are no excuses. She is a small brave filly, and 4,000m is a long way!"

Carlos Lerner (trainer of Mille et Mille, 5th)

"The ground wasn’t heavy enough nor was there enough pace. He pulled when Holdthasigreen steadied in front. Il it rains enough between now and then, he will run in the Prix Royal Oak (Gr1)."

For the record

Year         Winner                                 Trainer                       Owner                                                Jockey                        Time

2018         Call the Wind                      F. Head                       G. Strawbridge                                   A. Lemaitre                4’24’’41

2017         Vazirabad                            A. de Royer Dupré     S.A. l’Aga Khan                                C. Soumillon              4’34’’60

2016         Quest for More                    R. Charlton                 S.A.R. Sultan Ahmed                        G. Baker                     4’23’’57

2015         Mille et Mille                       C. & Y. Lerner           N. Saltiel                                            T. Thulliez                  4’22’’61

2014         High Jinx                             J. Fanshawe                W.J. Williams/Mme Williams           R. Moore                    4’12’’22