THERE was one outstanding time performance last week and that came at Newbury, where Kalpana put up a top-class performance.

She will come under the data microscope this week, along with the performance of Scandinavia at Leopardstown last Sunday, who did not impress many with his manner of victory, but with doubts over the participation of Trawlerman, the 15/8 available about him for the Ascot Gold Cup is surely a price worth taking.

The official going description at Newbury on Saturday was Good (Good to Firm in places). The Race IQ Time Index data points to it being as described, even if there was little Good to Firm to be found. The average Race IQ Time Index coming in at 5.8, with Kalpana easily recording the best time of the day, significantly elevating the average score for the meeting.

Race IQ Time Index results on a scale of 0-10:

Kalpana 9.9

Esna 5.3

Notable Speech 6.0

Song Of The Clyde 4.5

Lost Boys 6.6

Far Above Dream 5.4

Classic 4.2

Euston Hall 4.2

Only Bow Echo in the 2000 Guineas has put up a better time performance than Kalpana this season.

She recorded a winning time over this 12-furlong trip of 2m 28.71s, which was (-4.11s) under the Race IQ Par time.

In a strongly-run race, Kalpana broke from the stalls quickly, being the fastest in the race to reach 20mph (2.95s) and then she was steadied by Colin Keane to get some cover and found herself in last place after half a mile.

It was no bad thing, given that West Wind Blows took them along through the first six furlongs in 1m15s, with four of the first six furlongs rated as faster than the Race IQ par. This energy-sapping early pace was followed by a slight decrease in the tempo for two furlongs, before the leader pressed on again four furlongs out.

Turn of foot

The remarkable part of this performance was the turn of foot shown by Kalpana from three furlongs out to two out, where she surged from last to first.

She recorded a split of 11.11s, which is faster than par, achieved whilst the rest of the field were slowing down and running slower than par.

This surge was followed by an 11.85s furlong, slower than par but still the fastest in the race.

If we wanted to be critical, it could be argued that Kalpana got to the front a bit too soon and was vulnerable late on to the rallying West Wind Blows, but I suspect Coiln Keane was not expecting the instant acceleration that she showed when he asked her to pick up three out.

Kalpana may well stick to the fillies and mares’ programme and, if she does, it would be a surprise if she were beaten, but if connections wanted to be bolder and have a crack at the King George at Ascot, then they would be fully justified given what she achieved here.

Scandinavia takes time

SCANDINAVIA, or baby Kyprios as I have dubbed him, was no more than workmanlike in the Group 3 Saval Beg Levmoss Stakes, but he only does what he must do and the impression he created was that there was plenty in the tank should he have needed it. With doubts over the participation of Trawlerman, the 15/8 available about him for the Ascot Gold Cup is surely worth taking.

For a stayer, he has plenty of speed, as he showed when winning the Bahrain Trophy last season at Newmarket and the data shows that, whilst he did not have to show such speed here, he did pick up twice when he had to.

The Race IQ time index for this race was 4.9, with the meeting average being 6.6 on what was Good to Firm ground. This moderate time was courtesy of a steady gallop, with the pace picking up five furlongs from home.

Scandinavia picked up well when the pace lifted. Having gone through the ninth furlong in a slow 13.09s, he went through the next two furlongs in 12.77s and then 12.02s.

His next furlong of 12.09s saw him sustain that speed, which looked like it would carry him to success, but when hard pressed two out, he found another change of gear to run a fast 11.80s to maintain his advantage in front.

We know that he can run faster than he did here. His top speed of 38.42mph is 2.24mph slower than he ran when winning the Vintage Crop Stakes earlier this year and is further evidence that, on this occasion, he did just what he was required and not a bit more.

The eye-catcher in the race was Le Destrier, who was having his first start for the Wilie Mullins team and was held up in last before running on strongly to post the fastest final three furlongs of 35.54s and the highest FSP of 109.24%. He is very lightly raced for a seven-year-old, but is just the type Willie Mullins excels with.

Constitution correction

I WOULD like to thank one of our ever-vigilant readers for pointing out that Constitution River has more stamina in his pedigree than I gave him credit for in my article last week. His lightly-raced dam is a full-sister to Wonderful Tonight, who stayed a mile and six furlongs in heavy ground, and there are plenty of stamina influences on the distaff side. Should he run in the Derby, the trip should not be an issue, but the data is unequivocal about the speed he possesses and with Benvenuto Cellini bound for Epsom, the 10 furlongs of the Jockey Club may be the destination.

Item impressed - but is he fast enough?

THE two classic trials at York last week produced decisive winners. Both Item and Legacy Link are prominent in the betting for the Derby and Oaks respectively, but they will need to find more improvement to win.

The success of Item in the Group 2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes at York is viewed through what must be a rather sceptical data prism in terms of his classic-winning chances. He impressed many, but the data interpretation of his performance is not convinced.

The ground at York on Dante day was officially described as being Good and was certainly no quicker than that with the Race IQ time index meeting average recorded as being 4.1.

Unbeaten

Item remains unbeaten after seeing off his rivals by running evenly through the 10-furlong trip, while his rivals weakened around him. He did not show a smart turn of foot, but rather the ability to sustain an even gallop.

All bar his first furlong were rated as being par when compared to the Race IQ numbers and, with all his rivals running each of the final three furlongs slower than par, all he had to do was keep going evenly to win and that is what he did.

His Finishing Speed Percentage (FSP) of 103.12% was under the expected for a race of this quality on good ground over 10 furlongs at York, which is 104.79% and, given that he was rated evenly, it was underwhelming that he could not finish his race stronger than he did.

This finishing effort raises questions about him staying 12 furlongs at Epsom, but the fact that he was able to gallop out evenly and that he is by Frankel, give plenty of hope that he will stay the Derby trip. The problem is, will he be able to see the trip out fast enough?

He may well be a strong candidate to make the frame, but he may lack the requisite speed to win. The career top speeds reached by two whom he may meet at Epsom are outlined below.

Top Career MPH.

Benvenuto Cellini: 41.46mph.

Constitution River: 41.91mph.

Item: 39.43mph.