Perfect Power Renews Rivalry With Familiar Foes

Perfect Power  propelled himself to the top of the juvenile sprinting standings after an impressive Darley Prix Morny (G1) victory at Deauville last month, achieving an RPR of 115 with a length-and-a-quarter success over Trident .

The Richard Fahey-trained 2-year-old proved his capabilities early this season with five-furlong victories at Hamilton and Royal Ascot, the latter coming in the Norfolk Stakes (G2). Although he was helped by a high draw, therefore being able to challenge against the favored stands' side rail, Perfect Power's victory over Go Bears Go  was no fluke.

It is totally feasible to suggest that he should be entering the Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes (G1) on the back of four consecutive victories given he did plenty wrong when failing to handle Goodwood at the Glorious meeting. If that was the case, he would be an even-money shot.

Although the Morny form has not exactly worked out—Trident finished second here in a group 3 earlier in the week—and he faces far quicker underfoot conditions, Perfect Power is undoubtedly the horse to beat under Christophe Soumillon.

Asymmetric , who beat Perfect Power at Goodwood, did not get the best of luck-in-running in the rematch at Deauville and may not have as much as the five pound difference on ratings suggests. Yet to hit his peak, he might be the best of the British challenge away from the favorite.

" (Asymmetric) ran really well in the Prix Morny and came out of the race well," said trainer Alan King. "He's got form on slow ground but Martin (Harley, jockey)  is convinced he wants fast ground, so the conditions should suit."

The GAIN Railway Stakes (G2) form will be truly tested, with winner Go Bears Go facing off against runner-up Castle Star  and fourth Dr Zempf  once again. 

Pricing the race up on potential, it is no surprise that Dr Zempf is the shortest price of the trio despite crossing the line behind his two reopposing rivals. His recent second in the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (G1) behind Ebro River  was a big career-best and Ger Lyons has targeted this race since. There seems to be little reasoning why Castle Star would reverse the form with Go Bears Go, though.

Of those at bigger prices, HMS Endeavour is the colt that stands out. Perhaps the best-bred horse in the race being by War Front   out of 2017 U.S. champion Lady Eli , HMS Endeavour is yet to compete at group level but asserted his authority at Dundalk last time and looks on a stiff upward trajectory.

"HMS Endeavour is improving with every run," said trainer Aidan O'Brien. "He got a little bump coming out of the stalls last time and it just unnerved him, but he finished well."

Go Bears Go is as Good as Any of Them

Trainer Dave Loughnane is confident Go Bears Go is more than capable of making an impression at the top level as Amo Racing's group 2 winner renews his rivalry with Perfect Power.

The 2-year-old, who won the Railway Stakes at the Curragh, was narrowly denied by Perfect Power at Royal Ascot and was last seen finishing third behind Ebro River on his first try in group 1 company in the Phoenix Stakes.

"He's in a very good place mentally and physically," said Loughnane, who won the Unibet Rockfel Stakes (G2) with Hello You  on Friday. "It's a very competitive race and he's facing Perfect Power again, but on his day I think he's as good as any of them." The Rockfel is a Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) at Del Mar Nov. 5.

"I'm hopeful he can reverse the form and I've always thought he'd have beaten Perfect Power at Royal Ascot if he was drawn on the same side, though I take nothing away from the winner, who has obviously improved again since. Go Bears Go is a group 1 horse and deserves to win one of these big races."