Caravaggio Masterpiece Is Stunning

O’Brien’s ‘fastest ever’ proves best against Harry Angel and Blue Ponit.

- 

CAR’S GOT GEARS IN CUP

Caravaggio lived up to his billing as the fastest horse Aidan O’Brien has trained by winning a top-class renewal of the Commonwealth Cup.

The 5/6 favourite had to be at his best under Ryan Moore to beat 11/4 shot Harry Angel who set out a scorching pace and third home Blue Point (9/2).

O’Brien said: “I’m delighted – we were treating it as a second stage race as he had a lovely race at Naas when he won last time.

“He was racing against three-year-olds again today and after that, we thought he would be stepping up against older horses.

“He was just ready for his next step today. The lads had it in their mind to come here and then maybe somewhere like the July Cup and then somewhere else after that.

“The lads have a plan in their mind that he might go to Australia for the Everest so we have to be very conscious now if we want him to last for the autumn.

“I was very nervous today as he was just ready to come through today, so I’m delighted that it all went well.

“Ryan was super confident on him and put him to sleep in the race. He said he would have a look at halfway where everybody was and that is what he did.

“He had plenty to do at halfway behind two good horses and he only raced for two and a half-furlongs.

“He was very relaxed in himself before the race – he was very natural and there was no edge to him. He is a natural free sweater anyway, but I was surprised by how cool he was – he is a very calm horse.

“He is very quick, I would be happier at two furlongs than six furlongs with this fella! He is the fastest horse we have ever had.

“He’s an absolutely brilliant horse. We felt that, because it was his second run back, we were afraid to do too much because we didn’t want to lose that brilliance that he has.