WIN-WIN FOR TIME TEST
The team behind exciting colt Time Test believe they are in a ‘win-win situation’ taking on Classic winners Gleneagles and Golden horn i n tomorrow’s £900,000 Juddmonte International Stakes at York.
Attention is focused on 2,000 Guineas winner Gleneagles and Derby victor Golden horn in the eight-runner line-up. This will be the first clash between the winners of both races on British soil since Lester Piggott-ridden 2,000 Guineas hero Rodrigo De Triano l anded the 1992 International Stakes with Peter Chapple- hyamtrained, Derby-winning stablemate Dr Devious in fourth.
But the striking impression created by Roger Charlton- trained Time Test when winning the Group Three Tercentenary Stakes at Royal Ascot means Coral quote the colt, who carries the colours of owner Khaled Abdullah, as 4-1 third favourite.
Lord Grimthorpe, Abdullah’s racing manager, said: ‘It is a win-win situation. If Time Test succeeds, he will have won what is probably going to be the best race of the year. If he runs a blinder (in defeat), he can be considered alongside horses of the highest class. ‘We have always liked him. I probably expected him to do more at two but over the winter he developed physically and, more i mportantly, mentally.
‘ In an i deal world we would probably have given him one more race since Royal Ascot. ‘I would say he is the young pretender of the line-up but if you
l ook at t he ratings, they would suggest he has a decent chance.’
Charlton (left) added: ‘ Time Test’s Tercentenary Stakes win was not only visually very impressive, it was backed up by a very good time. The Juddmonte probably represents the best race of the season but I am in an optimistic frame of mind.’
Irish jockey Pat Smullen rides Time Test while Joseph O’Brien will boil his frame down to 8st 12lb to step in for the sidelined Ryan Moore on Gleneagles, trained by his father Aidan.
Frankie Dettori, on Golden horn, will have the assistance of John Gosden-trained stablemate Dick Doughtywylie (Rab havlin) to make the pace and ensure that the stamina of Gleneagles will be tested at his first try at a mile and a quarter. BETTING: 4-6 Golden Horn, 7-2 Gleneagles, 4 Time Test, 11 The Grey Gatsby, 33 Criterion, 50 Cougar Mountain, 50 Arabian Queen, 150 Dick Doughtywylie (odds from Coral).