Enable geared up for a Love clash at York
ENABLE is all-systems-go for York in three weeks time after her trainer John Gosden gave the mare a clean bill of health following her Ascot heroics on Saturday.
The six-year-old became the first horse in history to win the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes three times with a facile five-and-a-half length success over Sovereign.
“She is in good form. She ate up, had a nice lead out and jogged up well. She had a pick of grass,” said Gosden.
“I think the time of the last two furlongs is very encouraging, which she ran quickly. Her class was there.”
With Frankie Dettori in action at York on Sunday, celebrations were put on hold.
“I just stayed in town with my wife, just the pair of us,” said Gosden.
“It was very nice just having dinner together. Frankie had to ride at York and we didn’t want him hitting me over the head with a champagne bottle!”
Enable will either clash again with Coral-Eclipse victor Ghaiyyath in the Juddmonte International, or give weight to 1000 Guineas and Oaks herione Love in the Yorkshire Oaks. “We will see how it goes and we will be in both just like last year,” said Gosden.
“Last year we ran with Magical and it looks like Love is going there (Yorkshire Oaks). With the three yearold weight allowance that makes it a fascinating contest in itself.”
Stradivarius takes on six rivals tomorrow when bidding for an historic fourth successive Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup, which is part of the QIPCO British Champions Series.
Stradivarius faces an intriguing rival in Irish Derby winner Santiago, who, as a three-year-old, receives 15lb.
“We always thought that the Goodwood Cup is a race that would suit him,” said his trainer Aidan O’Brien.
“We’ve always viewed him as a Cup horse for next year.
“If everything goes well he will go straight to the St
Leger.”