Appleby happy with New London in St Leger bid
CHARLIE APPLEBY is confident the decision to keep New London f resh ahead of t he Cazo o S t L e g e r wi l l p ay dividends in the final Classic of the Flat season at Doncaster.
The Dubawi colt has only lost once in five starts – on soft ground at Chester, and Appleby is relaxed about ground conditions on Town Moor.
Since that Chester reverse behind Aidan O’Brien’s Changingoftheguard, New London has won a valuable handicap and the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood.
“He had a piece of work on Wednesday and looked great,” said Appleby, who was successful 12 months ago with Hurricane Lane. “I’ve always said we wanted to come here as a fresh horse. The only blip he’s had on his page was in the Chester Vase. People might say was that the trip and ground at the time, but I don’t think it was either. I just think he’d run a good, solid race at the Craven meeting a few weeks earlier and he’s best when he’s fresh. That’s why after the Gordon Stakes we always wanted to come straight here.”
Frankie Dettori has ridden the winner of the Leger six times and partners the Juddmonte-owned Haskoy for trainer Ralph Beckett.
The Italian is bidding for a 22nd British Classic success aboard the least experienced runner in the line-up, although Haskoy – who was supplemented at a cost of £50,000 on Monday – has won both starts, latterly taking the Listed Galtres at York.
Juddmonte racing manager
Barry Mahon said: “She adds something to the race. She’s an unbeaten filly and she’s been supplemented for the last Classic of the year.
“Obviously the Godolphin horse [New London] is very good, Roger Varian’s [Eldar Eldarov] is a Royal Ascot winner and we know the form of George Boughey’s horse [Hoo Ya Mal] from the Derby with Westover. It’s a top race, but to have an unexposed filly going for it is exciting.
“We don’t know how good she is. We could find out that she’s not up to this level, but if she’s improved from York she should be there or thereabouts.”
Meanwhile, Luxembourg is back in the big time after landing the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown yesterday for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore.
Forced to miss the Derby with a setback after finishing third in the 2000 Guineas, the Camelot colt travelled in mid-division in the 10-furlong showpiece after starting at 7-2, allowing stablemate Stone Age to take a clear early lead before clicking into gear two furlongs from home.
After reeling Stone Age in, Luxembourg swept to the front and came out on top in battle with Grand Prix de Paris winner Onesto to prevail by half a length.