Racing: Stravinsky fulfils a dream

WE KNOW of the works of Stravinsky the composer and yesterday we witnessed Stravinsky the destroyer.

The Irish colt for so long propelled by hype showed he had devastating thrust of his own here in the July Cup. He broke the course record by just over a fifth of a second and was a grave danger to the swallows which darted through the humid Suffolk atmosphere. It was sensational.

There are times when you can gauge the merit of victory from the reaction of trainer and owners. John Magnier, the ruler of the mighty Coolmore breeding operation, has grown fat on big-race successes, but here there was appreciation of a rare moment in racing. "These are the days you dream of," he said. "Every day you go watching you hope something like this might happen. We have been to enough funerals with this horse so it's nice to go to the wedding."

Indeed, Stravinsky had been in danger of becoming soiled property. From the moment he won a York maiden last August with a stunning burst of acceleration this was the talking horse of his generation. The following year's 2,000 Guineas was considered more a formality than a test of his ability. The publicity became a millstone the colt appeared to be carrying in his saddlecloth.

Four times the son of Nureyev was campaigned over seven furlongs and four times he failed to deliver. There was the smack of desperation yesterday when he turned up for games with his head shrouded in a visor. Aidan O'Brien, his trainer, escorted his freefalling colt around the parade ring wondering whether the scorching gallops of the last few weeks would be translated to the track.

Vindication would be absolute but the Irishman would not take credit in the aftermath. Rather he questioned his attempts to make Stravinsky into a miler, a Classic horse. "We tried to stretch him and make him a miler, but you can't give it to them," he said. "Maybe it was me messing him up.

"You've got to give them the chance and you always know you can come back in distance. And while I wouldn't say it's been frustrating for me, it probably has for the horse."

There will, however, be no recriminations in the camp. The defeats now seem a long way back in history. "The only thing about him is that he looks a bit like a sprinter," Magnier said. "But then Aidan blames himself for everything, that's the nicest thing about him. He never blames the horse, he never blames the jockey or anyone, which is something you've got to like about him."

There was much to like also about the well-finished assembly which had been gathered for racing's six-furlong championship. Among them Bold Edge was relatively inconspicuous but Bertolini more distinguished, his head arched like a seahorse. Both would play a part, albeit a bit one. The bay animal with a white sock on his off fore would be the one to admire.

Bianconi in the centre and Tipsy Creek on the near rail were the immediate forces when the contest began. Bold Edge and Bertolini did not give them much of a start though and a bunch finish appeared the likely outcome until an ominous force appeared on the outside at the furlong marker. Stravinsky bolted forward and suddenly he detached himself from his field by four lengths. It seemed to happen in a tick.

When the rushing of air abated Michael Kinane was able to lean forward and tweak his partner's ear in thanks. "Committed was fast but this was just something else," he said. "I was always hacking. I was running away and I was hoping that something would take me further, but he wanted to do it and I was happy to let him go."

There had been no watering of the course, natural or otherwise, and this abetted the searing time. Elnadim's record had lasted the minimum 12 months.

Now we want some more. Stravinsky was returned at 8-1 and will never be anywhere near that price until he goes before the suspecting American audience on Breeders' Cup day. Coral make him 7-1 for the Sprint. "This opens up everything and I've been dreaming of America," O'Brien said. "You could try this horse over five furlongs. You could try him over four or three for that matter. He's speed."