The Aidan O’Brien-trained U.S. Navy Flag, who takes his place in the $1 million Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Friday night, is the most highly distinguished international sprinter to race in Australia.
Surprisingly for such a brilliant performer he was beaten at each of his first four starts.
After blinkers were applied, he won a maiden handicap at The Curragh “comfortably” on July 1 of 2017.
The first signs of his emerging brilliance came when he raced to a six lengths victory in a Gr.3 at The Curragh on August 27.
Then U S Navy Flag began his rise to the heights on September 30 when scored an impressive win in the Gr.1 Middle Park Stakes over six furlongs down the straight course at Newmarket.
Two weeks later he led throughout to win the Gr.1 Dewhurst Stakes, again over the Newmarket six furlongs.
In doing so he became the first two-year-old since Diesis in 1983 to win both the Middle Park Stakes and Dewhurst Stakes.
That achievement earned him the crown of Champion Two-Year-Old Colt at the 2017 Cartier Racing Awards.
On July 14 of this year he registered his third triumph in Gr.1 company by taking the prestigious July Cup, again over the Newmarket straight course.
The convincing performance earned him a shot at the $13 million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick two weeks ago but the heavy track wrecked his chances and he wound-up ninth beaten more than 10 lengths.
The solid support for U.S. Navy Flag in the days leading up to the Manikato indicates that those with connections to the O’Brien stable are prepared to forgive the horse for that failure.
With gate two, Ryan Moore aboard and a firm track he certainly has a lot in his favour going into the race.
By Graeme Kelly
