Soft Whisper ready to roar again in Group 3 Oak Tree Stakes
Moder n Games has stepped in to deputise for Coroebus in G1 Sussex Stakes ater the star colt’s untimely set back but there are hopes that Goodwood can still prove a glorious one for Godolphin
Sot Whisper bids for a third straight win on her return to Group company in the G3 Oak Tree Stakes at Goodwood on Wednesday.
The Dubawi four-year-old completed a full set of Listed wins when dominating in the Queen Charlote Stakes on the all-weather at Chelmsford City earlier this month, adding to victories last year on turf at Newmarket and on dirt in Dubai.
She gamely took a fillies’ handicap at Ascot in May and started her season with three appearances at Meydan, including a creditable fith in the G2 Balanchine.
Her trainer Saeed Bin Suroor said: “Sot Whisper produced another good performance on her latest start at Chelmsford City and this looks another nice race for her. Marco Ghiani gets on well with the filly and she goes into this in good order.”
Meanwhile, Modern Games has stepped in to deputise for Coroebus in Wednesday’s showpiece G1 Sussex Stakes ater the star colt’s untimely setback but there are hopes that Goodwood can still prove a glorious one for Godolphin.
Charlie Appleby was philosophical ater Coroebus was found to be lame with an abscess in his let hind pastern prior to declarations on Monday: “It’s unfortunate as we were looking forward to being part of what should be the best race of the entire week.
“Coroebus’s prep had gone very well and we were very happy with him, but this has thrown us off course. I expect him to make a quick recovery, giving us time to get him ready for the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Sunday,” he added.
Modern Games is a hardy campaigner, having won a G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar before then taking the G1 French 2,000 Guineas at Longchamp and finishing third behind Vadeni in the Prix du Jockey-club at Chantilly.
The Dubawi colt then dropped back to seven furlongs for the G1 Prix Jean Prat at Deauville, finishing fith, beaten one and a half lengths by Tenebrism, but Appleby is expecting improvement with a return to one mile.
“The step back up in trip is going to suit him, and the quick ground will also be in his favour. He loves it ratling fast.
“He’s a very classy colt, he’s a multiple G1 winner, and a sharp track such as Goodwood will pose no problem when you recall how he handled Del Mar. He will give a good account of himself,” the trainer added.
Warren Point is lightly-raced but he is showing all the signs of a Dubawi on the improve in the second half of his three-year-old season. He is expected to go close in Thursday’s Kincsem Handicap, over 10 furlongs, which will be only his fourth outing.
Appleby said: “Dropping back in distance from a mile and a half will suit him. He finished a good second to Wild Crusade at Ascot last time, and the experience he has gained so far will hopefully see further improvement. I’m very pleased with him.”
Earlier, Juvenile colts Naval Power and Highbank laid down significant early markers for next year’s Classics with impressive victories in the UK.
Naval Power completed a hat-trick with a dominant display in the Listed Pat Eddery Stakes at Ascot, a race that has helped launch the careers of subsequent G1 winners Raven’s Pass and Naval Crown.
A crack at G1 company is also on the cards for Naval Power and the Vertem Futurity at Doncaster looks a likely end of season target for the unbeaten Teofilo homebred.
Highbank made an exciting introduction at Newmarket as the son of Kingman powered through the field to score by nearly four lengths.
This year’s Poule d’essai des Poulains winner Modern Games captured the same race 12 months ago and Highbank looks set to have his sights raised to Group company, with the G3 Solario Stakes at Sandown Park a potential next step.
Fellow two-year-old Yakushima also made a winning debut on the same day in Japan. A great-grandson of Teofilo through his sire Havana Grey, the Gb-bred colt looks to have a bright future following a cosy length success in a newcomers’ race at Kokura.
In North America, Nostalgic acquited herself well as she finished third behind this season’s top three-year-old fillies, Nest and Secret Oath, in Saratoga’s G1 Coaching Club American Oaks.
New London gets the chance to advance his St Leger claims in Thursday’s G3 Gordon Stakes, while established performers Lazuli, Passion And Glory and Rebel’s Romance also hold Goodwood entries.