Steve muses that French sprinter City Light may be Everest bound as his travels continue
Named, of course, after the 17th century Dutch painter and not the 2017 Melbourne Cup runner-up. Also found Van Diemen’s name adoring a suburban straat which seems modest recognition for the man best remembered for his efforts to foster exploration of the Great South Land, dubbed New Holland by Abel Tasman whom Van Diemen had sent on his voyage of discovery.
The search for tenuous links did lead me to Dutch Connection, by Dutch Art of course (and hence we can tie in good old Johannes). He’s nominated for the Lennox Stakes next Tuesday, at Goodwood, and is a worthwhile bet given he boasts three wins and a second from four starts at Goodwood including victory in this race two years ago. He just doesn’t fire at Newmarket where he failed at his most recent run.
Likewise for Belgium, just the twelfth country I’ve visited on this tour, and horse racing segues although the train journey from The Hague to Bruges did take me a stone’s throw away from Schaerbeek – the birthplace of Christophe Soumillon. Those in racing might say he’s the world’s most famous Belgian although I’d vote for Audrey Hepburn. Hercule Poirot was a fictional character by the way.
A journey that did allow me the time to contemplate who I’d first choose fill one of the few remaining slots for the Everest. Answer – The French sprinter City Light who, under Soumillon, stretched Merchant Navy to a short half head in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes. The Stephane Wattel-trained colt is likely to be aimed at the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville in August but wouldn’t be out of place in Sydney’s rich sprint.
He’s by the Aga Khan’s Siyouni who’s been hot of late and the Diamond Jubilee form has been strong with the only horses to have run since – the fourth, fifth and sixth placed Projection, D’Bai and Sir Dancealot subsequently winning and/or running very well.
So, I asked James Harron who has one of the three remaining 2018 Everest slots – the others held by the ATC (Australian Turf Club) and we’ll get to them and the recalcitrant Chautauqua connected GPI who are likely to be holding out hope for the big grey.
Harron, somewhat and understandably distracted by the birth of his second child a few days ago, whispered from the hospital that he was ‘happy to wait’ this year which is in marked contrast to last year when he was first to play his hand, locking in the winner Redzel (Yulong has him this year).
“Nice horse City Light but I’m focused on a domestic runner and happy to see a couple of the early sprint races before we lock in,” Harron said. This might be a smart play this year in the absence of Merchant Navy and probably Redkirk Warrior and with no clear number one seed as was the case with Redzel in 2017. Brave Smash, last year’s Everest third, hadn’t raced in Australia at this time last year.
So, I asked prominent fellow agent Justin Bahen whether he’d heard anything of City Light negotiations either as an Everest or stallion prospect. “Not aware of any Australian interest at this stage. I can’t believe nobody’s come for him,” Bahen said.
So, I asked the ATC’s James Ross who said the club hadn’t ruled out the French sprinter. “We’d certainly be open to discussions with them if he wins the Prix Maurice de Gheest. He’s an exciting horse with the right profile and his performance at Ascot was excellent. He keeps producing a peak rating,” Ross said.
Anyway, about to alight from the train which carried me from The Hague to Bruges which tops many people’s list of the world’s most beautiful cities. I’ll let you know. This close, thought it would be churlish not to make the journey and train trips allow lots of time to prepare for the form battles which await at Ascot this weekend for the King George and then to the Glorious (Qatar) Goodwood Festival next week.
Amsterdam is as wondrous as everybody told me. Even if I didn’t quite make it to to the Van Gogh Museum or any other museum for that matter. I did take in the Red Light district and the conveyors of cannabis – partaking in neither of course. Even the newest of trams reek of the smell of ‘hooch’.
I learned that if you want a Latte, order a Cappuccino. And that’s there very little of a breakfast and coffee culture, especially early, so you are generally condemned to having the over-priced continental breakfast in your hotel.
I did have some of the best Greek and Asian food I’ve ever tasted as I searched for alternatives to the surprisingly omni-present hamburger joints and the virtual lack of any restaurant, at all, offering Dutch food. Maybe that’s Poffertjes and marijuana only.
It takes a little while to keep your wits about you to dodge any one of the millions of bicycles which do, nonetheless, add great charm. It is flat so everyone’s got one. I couldn’t help but imagining Barry McKenzie declaring ‘it’s as flat as a shit-carter’s hat’ around here.
The trams are a reminder of Melbourne. Gardens are dry and, good heavens, there was even talk of water restrictions. Zandvoort beach was bedlam – not unlike St KIlda or Coogee when it’s 35 degrees plus. The domestic architecture reminiscent of London although I’m not sure which first had the rows and rows of symmetrical terrace houses with boldly painted front doors.
The tram and train service is excellent and with other significant destinations like Leiden, The Hague, Delft and Rotterdam within a half hour of Amsterdam, they are worth visiting. Amsterdam itself is a delight, despite the number of tourists, with its network of canals and narrow laneways and you can buy a bottle of Bitter Lemon, my favourite soft drink which has practically disappeared from Australian shelves, just about everywhere.
Write soon. Steve.