LAST weekend’s Breeders’ Cup seemed to have less resonance here than it usually does. Maybe there was a feeling that the strength of the European challenge was not as strong as it usually is. Maybe we were lacking a star. Maybe the defection of Magical had more of an impact than was initially apparent.

But Iridessa was brilliant again in the Fillies and Mares Turf, and Wayne Lordan was brilliant on her. He had her out of stall one and he rode her along for a few strides to get her into a position, in third place and along the rail behind a strong pace.