The Trafficmaster

It's been a while since we last saw a genuine superstar colt on the dirt in America. The division has been sadly lacking since the retirement of one my my all-time favourites, the Steve Asmussen trained Curlin, way back in 2008.

That may be about to change, though.

During the winter Gulfstream meet, Todd Pletcher unleashes wave after wave of maiden winners, mainly in the 3yo division. However, on the afternoon of 24th January, an unraced 4yo by the name of Cross Traffic was sent to post as an odds-on favourite, making a belated debut over an extended six furlongs.

He won in a solid, albeit unspectacular style and was put into a first-level allowance race, having been given a nice six week pause off his debut.

This time, things were different. Stepping up to a mile, and still showing signs of greeness, Cross Traffic simply obliterated his opposition in devastating fashion, running a figure that suggested he was well up to Graded class. He drew away for a seven-and-a-half-length victory.

Despite a lack of seasoning, Cross Traffic was put into the Westchester by Pletcher, taking on a solid Grade 1 performer in Flat Out. Drawn on the inside, Javier Castellano had no choice but to send the inexperienced colt forward, as the combination posted solid fractions of 22.77 and 22.56 for the first half-mile. Make no mistake, those are swift fractions by Belmont's standards, and for Cross Traffic to only give best by a head to Flat Out in the shadows of the wire, suggested we were seeing a horse that had a special talent.

That performance persuaded Pletcher to plunge Cross Traffic into Grade 1 company, on only his fourth start.

The historic Met Mile was the showcase for yet another spectacular effort in defeat. Once again, the post position compromised Cross Traffic, who had no choice but to go forward from the inside. The blazing speed he showed was reminiscent of a past champion in the mighty Ghostzapper. For one so inexperienced to run though fractions of 22.4 and 22.48 against a seasoned Grade 1 field, was nothing short of breathtaking.

To then see off all but Sahara Sky, who just got the verdict by a nose, suggested we were witnessing a rare talent.

There is a downside, though. For a horse with so little seasoning to run so hard this early in his career, there is a chance that regression is coming.

The dark side has been witnessed by many horses at the highest level, and some just do not come back from the precipice. For the sake of a division sadly lacking in quality, let's hope that this isn't the case with Cross Traffic.

His next assignment, wherever that may be, should tell us everything we need to know.

A Majestic Kingdom

In recent years we have been served up an absolute treat to begin Royal Ascot. The opening Queen Anne Stakes, which was given Group 1 status in 2003, has now become almost the highlight of the entire meeting. From Goldikova to Canford Cliffs, and then the mighty Frankel, we have become used to the mouth-watering start of what is probably the World's greatest race meeting.

This year promises to be no different, as the incredibly versatile and high class US raider Animal Kingdom bids follow in the footsteps of those aforementioned stars.

It is extremely rare that a horse can be top class on both dirt and turf, but Animal Kingdom has proven to be exceptional, not just on those two surfaces, but also polytrack and tapeta. His roll of honour currently includes the Kentucky Derby and the Dubai World Cup, as well as a fabulous second to the best turf miler in America, Wise Dan, at last year's Breeders' Cup.

Indeed, some say that Animal Kingdom was perhaps unlucky not to trouble the winner more in the Breeders' Cup Mile, having suffered a bad trip, before finishing to good effect. Either way, that was a tremendous effort, given that he was coming back off a long layoff.

No stone has been left unturned by Animal Kingdom's superb trainer Graham Motion. The horse has been stabled in the UK since his Dubai win, and appears to be getting used to his new surroundings, and training regime.

The biggest stumbling block he may encounter is Ascot's straight mile. This is an alien configuration for an American horse, and Motion has been quick to return to the services of Animal Kingdom's Kentucky Derby-winning pilot John Velazquez, who not only knows the horse, but has ridden successfully on Ascot's straight course for Wesley Ward. This experience, combined with the fact that Velazquez is one of the World's best jockeys, should ensure that the big horse is given every assistance from the saddle.

What of the opposition? Well, at the moment the field is uncertain, though Godolphin's Farhh is prominent in the ante-post lists, after his demolition job in the Lockinge at Newbury a few weeks ago.

Make no mistake, this is a high class, if fragile horse, and would certainly provide stiff opposition to the US raider. There is a caveat here, however. Sheikh Mohammed now owns a share in Animal Kingdom. He may decide to run Farhh in the ten-furlong Prince Of Wales's Stakes later in the week. I think most observers would hope this isn't the case, though. So impressive was Farhh in the Lockinge, that a clash here would make for sensational viewing.

The rest of the opposition appear to have it all to do if the big two bring their A-game. The one with the most potential to trouble them appears to be the Ballydoyle-trained Most Improved.

He would be making his debut for Aidan O'Brien were he to turn up here, and could well live up to his name with the change of trainer and surroundings. His form from last year leaves him a little bit to find, but the gap is far from insurmountable, given normal improvemet from three to four, coupled with that fact that he is now handled by one of the World's best.

In just over two week's time, the Queen will arrive at Royal Ascot, and the great meeting will be under way.

Only then, will we find out if she will be overseeing a majestic Kingdom from the Royal Enclosure.