GHAIYYATH’S GOT APPLEBY ALL EXCITED
GHAIYYATH had Charlie Appleby purring after his final Juddmonte International Stakes workout yesterday – but Japan remains a doubt to defend his crown.
The Godolphin-owned five-year-old is Ladbrokes’ 5-4 favourite for York’s Wednesday feature after Group 1 victories in the Coronation Cup at Newmarket and Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park this summer.
And, having watched the son of Dubawi go through his paces on the Newmarket gallops yesterday morning, Appleby said: “He worked nicely – all systems go.
“He’s the finished article now, so this was always hopefully going to be his year to fulfil the potential that we’ve seen.”
Ghaiyyath faces a maximum of 13 rivals in the 10-furlong test, but Japan, who memorably short-headed Crystal Ocean in the 10-furlong Group 1, 12 months ago, is unlikely to be among them.
“At the moment, it’s leaning more towards Magical than Japan,” said Aidan O’Brien.“He was sore for three or four days after Ascot.
“He has done all his physical work, and the next few days will tell us how he is.
“Magical has really progressed physically.
“That’s why the lads decided to keep her in training.”
Dream Of Dreams gained handsome compensation for a head defeat in Royal Ascot’s Diamond Jubilee Stakes with a seven-length supremacy in the Group 2 Unibet Hungerford Stakes at Newbury.
The success under champion jockey Oisín Murphy was a poignant one for trainer Sir Michael Stoute after the death, following a long-term illness, of his partner Coral Pritchard-Gordon at the age of 73 last Tuesday.
“It means the world, not only for Sir Michael but everyone connected to his yard in Newmarket,” said Murphy.
“It’s been a tough week and I want to pass on my condolences to him and his family.”
Hukum is 12-1 for the St Leger at Doncaster on September 12 after stepping up in grade to lift the Group 3 Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Geoffrey Freer Stakes.
The Owen Burrows-saddled Sea The Stars colt, winner of the King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot, beat Max Vega by two-and-a-half lengths and the winning trainer said: “Since Ascot, he’s done nothing but please me – he’s strengthening all the time.”
Hukum’s owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum has never won the oldest Classic and Burrows added: “It would be nice if we could do it for him.”