Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
SISKIN RIVALS AT GOODWOOD VERY ‘SCARY’
GER LYONS admits Siskin has to improve to beat “scary” opposition in next Wednesday’s Qatar Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
The unbeaten Irish 2,000 Guineas hero is Ladbrokes’ 13-8 favourite to beat opposition likely to include 2,000 Guineas winner Kameko, threetime Group 1 scorer
Circus Maximus and Ascot’s Group 2 Summer Mile victor Mohaather.
His odds suggest it is Siskin’s rivals for the Group 1 mile prize who should be fearful.
But Lyons, still on a high after saddling Even So to capture the Irish Oaks at the Curragh under jockey Colin Keane last Saturday, said of the Sussex Stakes line-up: “It’s scary – to say the least.
“The Irish Guineas has been ripped apart by the experts, and, on form figures, we have to improve.
“The only one missing is Pinatubo. You obviously have to be afraid of Circus Maximus and, for me, the best form of the season has always been the English Guineas.
“But the one that stands out to me is Mohaather – I was very impressed with him the last day.
“Siskin does need to improve to beat these guys. I think he has – he’s working well at home – but we won’t know until he runs on the day.
“To win any Group One, I just want to win as many as I can, but to win the big ones – the Sussex is one of those, like the Guineas and the Derby, any of them – it’s so important.”
Keane (below) will accept two weeks on the sidelines in quarantine – in accordance with the Irish government’s COVID-19 protocols – to maintain his partnership with the son of First Defence intact.
The 25-year-old’s rival jockeys boast greater experience round Goodwood’s idiosyncratic layout, but Keane can call on of some of Ireland’s riding greats for advice.
“Colin is very professional – he hasn’t let me down in the past,” added Lyons.
“He has plenty of guys over here, be it Mick Kinane, Johnny Murtagh or Pat Smullen – they are all great friends and they are a great help to him.”