Breeders’ Cup Turf – 2019 Preview

The penultimate race at the 2019 Breeders’ World Cup Championships is the $4,000,000 Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf. Neil Morrice previews this incredible feature, and provides you with his predicted first-five past the post. Get your bets on now with Hollywoodbets!

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Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (Grade 1)
Race 11 – $4,000,000
01:40 AM – Sunday 3rd November 2019 (SA Time) 

The inclusion of an Investec Derby winner in the Turf field would normally signal a top line battle of Europeans but ANTHONY VAN DYCK hasn’t exactly cut the mustard since his narrow Epsom triumph back in June, whilst BRICKS AND MORTAR gives the home side a much stronger candidate than they could usually muster.

Aidan O’Brien is adamant Anthony Van Dyck is right back in the groove after his flop in the King George at Ascot, followed by a more encouraging run in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown. He said: “I blame myself for running him in that testing ground in the King George. He was much more himself at Leopardstown and is going to love this faster ground at Santa Anita. He’s travelled over well, and I’m delighted with him.”

O’Brien also fields MOUNT EVEREST who is a slow burning improver that nevertheless needs to make giant strides if he’s to prevail.

Bricks And Mortar bids to become only the sixth US-trainer winner of this dance 2000. The Chad Brown-trained 5yo possesses a smart turn of foot that’s helped enable him to stay unbeaten in six starts since last Christmas. Latterly he’s plundered the Turf Classic, the Manhattan and the Arlington Million, all Grade Ones. On the question of trip, the Giant’s Causeway entire has readily stepped up to a mile and a quarter but now needs to show that a mile and a half holds no perils for him. His connections considered a shot at the shorter Mile, but on his dam’s side he is bred to get the distance and their intrepid approach could easily pay off.

OLD PERSIAN was the first horse I saw on the training track this week and Charlie Appleby’s charge is ready to play a major role. He landed the Sheema Classic at Medan and had gone over the top when blowing out in the Coronation Cup. Appleby then let him down before bringing him back to Place in the Grosser Preis Von Baden and then lift the Northern Dancer at Woodbine. He appears the best shot for the Europeans, and has been relaxed and alert through training this week.

CHANNEL MAKER tends to hit the board with regular frequency and although grabbed by ARKLOW in the Joe Hirsch had in fact taken that horse’s measure in the Man o’ War Stakes. If Channel Maker can put it together he has a shot at one of the higher places in this.

Prediction 
10 – 9 – 12 – 5 – 11

1st – OLD PERSIAN (10)
2nd – Bricks And Mortar (9)
3rd – Channel Maker (12)
4th – Anthony Van Dyke (5)
5th – Arklow (11)