from the Racing Post:

"There has never been much doubt that George Washington is an exceptional athlete, and he had the excuse of serious muscle damage when beaten by Araafa in the Irish 2,000 Guineas. However, his temperament has threatened to get the better of him and in coming here on the back of a somewhat unsatisfactory return at Goodwood he had it all to prove again. To his credit he took the preliminaries really well - he wouldn't be saddled in the saddling box, but otherwise stayed calm - and in the race itself he travelled like a dream, held up in rear as stablemate River Tiber set a more sensible pace than he had at Goodwood.
As they straightened up he was clearly full of running, but still only fifth and in danger of getting boxed in. There was no need to panic though, and when Librettist started to weaken on his outside he was able to ease out and join Araafa. The issue was settled in strides, for he quickened impressively when he saw daylight, and without resort to the whip he dished out a comprehensive beating to his old rival and to most Europe's other top milers. He cocked his head a little to the left in front and looked inclined to edge a little to the left, but it was nothing really.
Mick Kinane said he has never ridden better, and while jockeys often get carried away in the aftermath of such important wins, George Washington clearly has to be right up there with the other outstanding colts he has ridden over the years. He must take a deal of beating with luck in runningin the Breeders' Cup Mile, provided he copes with the travelling and the different conditions."


best ever ridden from Kinane? that's saying something.




Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/23/2006 06:12PM by Michael D..