STRADIVARIUS ALL TUNED UP Gosden to unleash stars
LEADING trainer John Gosden is sending several of his big guns north in search of serious riches this week.
He will have a team brimming with stars at the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival at York starting on Wednesday.
Top of the list is staying star Stradivarius who will bid to land the Weatherbys Hamilton Stayers Million bonus with victory in the Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup on Friday.
The seven-figure incentive was launched this season, offered if a horse could win one of four recognised prep races before going on to land the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, the Goodwood Cup and the Lonsdale Cup.
Stradivarius has proved the staying star of the year, starting with a triumph in the Yorkshire Cup and then Group One glory at Ascot and Goodwood – and now the bonus appears to be within touching distance for the four year old.
But Gosden said: “The bonus has not been the be-all and end-all of his year. It’s just happened those races have fitted him well and he has come out on top in all of them.” One highlight is the Juddmonte International Stakes and Gosden plans to leave three Group One winning aces in the £1million race, being run on the opening afternoon of the Festival.
Dante and Eclipse winner Roaring
Lion, Champion
Stakes hero Cracksman and St
James’s
Palace
Stakes victor
Without
Parole all remain in line for a shot at the extended mile and a quarter-race.
Coronet is another key Gosden runner at York – she is heading for the Darley Yorkshire Oaks on Thursday.
The Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival runs from Wednesday, August 22 to Saturday, August 25. For tickets, call 01904 620911 or visit www.yorkracecourse.co.uk
NEXT WEEK AT YORK HE is a mile-and-quarter specialist, has won over the course and distance and is still improving, so what is there not to like about ROARING LION in Wednesday’s Juddmonte International (3.35) at York?
Beaten by old rival Saxon Warrior in last year’s Racing Post Trophy and in the 2,000 Guineas, John Gosden’s charge has exacted his revenge in the Derby and the Eclipse.
The turn of foot he showed both here in the Dante and at Sandown was top class and he can make it 3-2 over the O’Brien inmate and also see off market rival Poet’s Word.
The last named is more of a grinder and better over
12f and may not have the necessary finishing speed.
The big St Leger trial, the Great Voltigeur Stakes at
3.00, is KEW GARDENS to lose following his win in the Grand Prix de Paris.
But if you want a ‘price’ horse, look no further than Saturday’s Ebor Handicap.
Available at a massive
25/1, SAUNTER had been running over 10 and 12 furlongs for most of his career but two runs over a mile and three quarters have seen him produce career best performances.
That culminated with an easy win at Compiegne and if there is any give in the ground on Saturday, I expect him to outrun his odds and give favourite Stratum a huge test.
PRODUCTION could be the value in the Acomb Stakes on Wednesday (2.25) when he takes on fellow juveniles Persian Moon and Good Fortune.
Battaash will be all the rage for the Nunthorpe Stakes (3.35) on Thursday but he boiled over before last year’s race and at 4-6 makes the each-way market open to Godolphin’s DREAMFIELD.
SUNDAY SERVICE HUGO PALMER’S team are performing well and his POWER TO EXCEED can return to winning form and land the nap in the Pontefract 5.10.
There was no disgrace in losing out to Goodnight Girl at Newbury and this stiffer track should play to her strengths.
Earlier, ARROWTOWN can open his account for the season in the 2.30, while bottom weight ZAIN HANA looks the punt in the Listed Highfield Farm Fillies’ Stakes at 3.35.
The best bet at Southwell could be ZEBI BOY in the staying handicap hurdle at 3.55.