YOUMZAIN MAKES RAIL LINK LOOK GOOD

YOUMZAIN (36) made his recent conqueror Rail Link look good by winning the Group 1 Preis von Europa at Cologne. The early pace wasn't that fast which must have suited Youmzain who has a great turn of foot. Now that he's got his Group 1 win I guess he's done enough for the year. But it was interesting to read his trainer speculating about a possible run in the Gran premio del Jockey Club as three year olds have a terrific record in that race.

The unlucky horse of the race was undoubtedly fourth placed ORIENTAL TIGER (34) who lost more ground than he was beaten by when trying to run out on the first turn. Then again, when the early pace is slow, as it was here, it's not that hard to regain lost ground. In any event previously Oriental Tiger had run a pretty decent third to Aspectus and Lauro in what I rated the fastest race middle distance race for three year olds run in Europe this year. He'd also finished third in the German Derby and second in another Group 1. No doubt he will get a Group 1 win sometime and is worth keeping in mind.

SANITAGO ATITLAN KEEPS ON IMPROVING

SANTIAGO ATITLAN (39) won a Listed 6.5 furlong sprint at Cologne in a time that marks him out as one of the better German sprinters. He's now won four of his last six starts and just keeps on improving according to my speed ratings. The top two German sprinters are Soave and Lucky Strike, are seven and eight years of age respectively. So it looks like this four year old is hitting form at the right time and could well be king of the sprint division in Germany next year.

BERGO WORTH FOLLOWING

BERGO (36) won a decent class 2 handicap by over three lengths in Listed class time at Cologne. He lost his first two starts but has run very well in fours starts since. First he lost by a head to a horse that ran third in a Listed race next time. Then he won his maiden. Finally he ran a close third in a 50,000 Euro Auction race before running his best ever race last week.

Bergo is a good-bodied, tall, deep-chested sort that clearly stays well. So I imagine one of the big British or Irish jumping stables will acquire him in the near future. He'd certainly be a tremendous juvenile hurdling prospect.

APOLLO STAR IS SERIOUSLY GOOD IN MUD

APPOLLO STAR (39) ran away with a class 2 mile handicap at Dusseldorf in amazing time. On this run he's capable of winning in Group company. The proviso is that he does seem to need cut in the ground to produce his best. This year he's won all three times he's run on yielding or softer ground and lost his three starts on good or faster.

QUADRUPA IS SMART WHEN FRESH

Last year's German 1000 Guineas second QUADRUPA (38) blew home by six lengths in fast time at Saarbrucken before running below that level when fourth in Listed company a few days later. This is normal for Quadrupa. All her wins have come of a break of two months or more. Next time she comes into a race fresh I'd be wary of opposing her.

ARONDO IS CONSISTENT ON FAST GROUND

ARONDO (36) won a class 3 handicap in Listed class time at Cologne and is clearly a pretty decent young sprinter. He seems to be best on a fast surface, having won three times out of five on good or faster ground or sand. If he gets his ground again soon he'll have a good chance of repeating this win as he's still eligible for races below his true class.

WURFSCHEIBE DOES IT AGAIN

WURFSCHEIBE (37) won a fillies Group 3 at Bremen in reasonable time for the class. This was her second Group 3 win in a row. Her record suggests that she is at her best at this time of year as she's now won four of the five times she's run in late July or later. This being so I'd be interested in her chances next time.

LATERAL STILL GOING THE RIGHT WAY

There has been an unusually strong population of milers in Germany for the past three seasons. But the three year old LATERAL (40) managed to beat one of the best of the older specialists at the distance when edging out WILLINGLY (40) to take the Group 3 Oppenheim Pramerica Mile at Cologne.

So far Lateral has won all five times he's run a mile or less and rates as one of the best three year olds in Europe over this trip. He's already won in Group 1 company and deserves another chance to score at that level. If he ships over for a big Group 1 such as the QEII I'd take his chances very seriously. And it could also still be that his trainer is right in saying Lateral can stay further.

Willingly is running better than ever at seven years of age and will surely be placed to win again in Group company soon.

DREAM KEEPS ON WINNING

A WINNING DREAM (36) won a class 3 mile handicap in Listed class time at Bad Harzburg by four lengths. She lost her first two starts but has won her subsequent three and looks set to win in much better company.

A Winning Dream Dream's dam has a tremendous record. Seven of her eight foals to race have won, including two in pattern company, her best being the very smart filly Aubonne. Like Aubonne, A Winning Dream looks built for ten furlongs. I'd expect her to improve when she steps up to that sort of trip.

SIX IN A ROW FOR QUIJANO

There's just no stopping QUIJANO (37). He was winning for the sixth time in a row when taking a Listed race at Cologne last Sunday. This was the fourth time he's earned a big speed rating from me this year. In fact he's earned ratings as high as 39 which suggests he's capable of winning in Group company.