Racing post impressed with JJ the Jet Plane

WORLD CLASS: An analysis of the best performances of last week according to Racing Post Ratings

TOP OF THE CLASS: J J The Jet Plane 126+
Windsor Listed race, 6f, June 1

MANY of the best horses in the world were in action on the weekend, but it was South African sprint sensation J J The Jet Plane who topped the global class this week by routing his opposition in the Up Up And Away Stakes, a Listed event at Windsor on Monday.

The Mike de Kock-trained speedster was in a different league to his rivals, giving 7lb and a four-length beating to the consistent Group 3 winner Intrepid Jack (107) and dual Listed scorer Edge Closer (106).

A winning RPR of 126+ marks the southern hemisphere four-year-old as the best sprinter in the world this year, a pound ahead of Hong Kong star Sacred Kingdom, whom he will meet in the Golden Jubilee.

That duo are two of the most exciting sprinters of recent years and are both arriving in top form fortheir Royal Ascot showdown.

Best of the three-year-olds this week was Sea The Stars, who confirmed his dominance over the European Classic crop with victory in the Investec Derby on Saturday.

The John Oxx-trained colt recorded an RPR of 124+ for his length-and-three-quarter success over the hitherto unbeaten Fame And Glory (121), and, while that rating leaves him 2lb clear of his three-year-old rivals, it isunlikely to be the limit of his ability.

A mark of 124 already ranks him alongside Ouija Board as the best produce of his sire Cape Cross, but the way he ran at Newmarket and Epsom suggests there could be even more to come, perhaps when he tackles older horses over an intermediate trip. He will be tough to beat wherever Oxx decides to take him next.

The previous day at Epsom saw Ask and Youmzain also pick upRPRs of 124, when finishing first and second in a tight finish to the Coronation Cup.

Just a nose separated them at the line and it was the same distance back to last year's Oaks heroine Look Here (121) inthird.

This year's Oaks winner Sariska ran just below that level on Friday, earning an RPR of 120+ for her battling success over Midday (119).

In America we have a new leader of the colts' Classic crop, as Summer Bird outstayed his rivals to win the Belmont Stakes by two-and-three-quarter lengths.

That performance earned him an RPR of 122, which puts him a pound ahead of Mine That Bird in the colts' division, although he is still 2lb below leading filly Rachel Alexandra (124) in the overall standings.

One of the strongest line-ups of the week came in Japan on Sunday, when the three best horses in the country, Vodka, Deep Sky and Super Hornet, all tackled the Yasuda Kinen at Tokyo.

Vodka's mares' allowance gave her a vital advantage and she posted an RPR of 121 for her three-quarter length win over Deep Sky (123), with Faridat (121) a further length away in third.

Deep Sky's bad luck is becoming a recurring theme in this column and, for what is now the fourth time in succession, he came out best at the weights without actually winning.

He should continue to fill the frame in all the major domestic races this term, but it will probably take a step up to intermediate and middle distances before he is able to get the better of leading miler Vodka, who will continue to receive a useful weight allowance.

Other big performances this week included Le Havre's Prix du Jockey-Club win, which earned him an RPR of 119, while former Amanda Perrett inmate Midships ran to a career-best of 120 when registering his first Grade 1 success in the Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap at Hollywood Park.

In Australia, the big performance of the week came from Scenic Shot, who improved to a lifetime best RPR of 118 to land the Brisbane Cup at Eagle Farm.

TOP TURF PERFORMERS

1 Gladiatorus (UAE) Dubai Duty Free 129

2 J J The Jet Plane (SA) Windsor Listed race 126

3 Sacred Kingdom (HK) KrisFlyer Sprint 125

4 Ask (GB ) Coronation Cup 124

Deep Sky (Jap) Osaka Hai 124

Paco Boy (GB ) bet365 Mile 124

Sea The Stars (Ire) 2,000 Guineas 124

Vodka (Jap) Victoria Mile 124

Youmzain (GB ) Coronation Cup 124

10 Duncan (GB ) Derby 123

TOP DIRT/AW PERFORMERS

1 Well Armed (US) Dubai World Cup 128

2 Big City Man (KSA) Golden Shaheen 124

Rachel Alexandra (US) Kentucky Oaks 124

4 Zenyatta (US) Milady Hcap 123

5 Fabulous Strike (US) Carter Hcap 122

Summer Bird (US) Belmont Stakes 122

Two Step Salsa (UAE) Wasel Trophy 122

8 Albertus Maximus (US) Donn Hcap 121

Einstein (US) Santa Anita Hcap 121

Friesan Fire (US) Louisiana Derby 121

Gayego (UAE) Mahab Al Shimaal 121

Mine That Bird (US) Kentucky Derby 121

Success Brocken (Jap) February Stakes 121

126 and not fully tuned up. Here's hoping he puts it all together for the big one.

Holding thumbs!!!

I'M FLABBERGASTED AT THAT REPORT!!!! EXCELLENT STUFF JJ. WIN OR LOSE, YOURE A CHAMP

Geez guys the writings been on the wall for a looooooong time!

Go JJ Go!

11 days and counting! I bet Luckys days are flying by! Bring ur drinking boots Lucky - ouzo, Jim.

(ps anyone else going?)

Jamster Wrote:

---

> Geez guys the writings been on the wall for a
> looooooong time!
>
> Go JJ Go!
>
> 11 days and counting! I bet Luckys days are flying
> by! Bring ur drinking boots Lucky - ouzo, Jim.
>
> (ps anyone else going?)

with London prices i would need to hitch hike and sleep rough!!

That depends Jimmy, you paying for my ticket!!!

FROM SPORTINGLIFE.COM

South African sprint sensation J J The Jet Plane remains right on course for next week's Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Mike De Kock's five-year-old currently heads the betting for the six-furlong Group 1 contest following his explosive victory in a Listed event at Windsor on June 1.

"He came out of his last race very well and should be at his peak for Royal Ascot," De Kock told sportinglife.com.

"I was impressed with his win I must admit. If one does the sums he comes out with quite a good rating.

"He was gving seven pounds to horses rated 109 plus he gave them a four-length beating so on paper it was a pretty good run.

The Golden Jubilee is building up to be one of the highlights of the Roya meeting, but De Kock is in upbeat mood over J J The Jet Plane's chances.

"I think it is a very competitive race this year which is great for Ascot and pundits alike but certainly he has had a good preparation," he added.

"He has been in England for a while now so we don't have the added burden of having to travel."

A crack at a second Group 1 sprint is then on the cards next month - J J The Jet Plane is also currently market leader for the Darley July Cup.

De Kock revealed: "I think he would then have a crack at Newmarket.

"He has been to the track a few times and galloped at the July Course. He is very comfortable there so we might as well have a crack at it - definitely."

ASCOT clerk of the course Chris Stickels has no plans to water the course as next week's royal meeting approaches, with the possibility the Berkshire track could still receive significant rainfall before the action gets under wayon Tuesday.

Stickels on Wednesday described the ground as good to firm, good in places, but while there is a slight chance of showers over the next couple of days, the forecast for the latter part of the weekend is potentially morethreatening.

"It looks as if we could get some thundery weather coming in from Sunday through to the early part of next week, although we are not quite sure about the degree of accuracy about that because conditions are quite changeable at the moment," said Stickels.

Jim when you coming out again mate?

Things keep croping up my bud = maybe come out for the last week of the season?

Hopefully I'll sort something in the next week or so and let you know Os - cheers, Jim.