The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Kew Gardens to bloom again Racing: O’Brien’ s colt can score at York
Kew Gardens can strengthen his St Leger profile by winning the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes at York today.
Aidan O’Brien’s utterly likeable colt is already antepost favourite for the final Classic of the season, having won the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot and a Group 1 in France.
Though he is burdened with a 5lb penalty at York, there is a distinct likelihood that Kew Gardens will prove much too good for the rest of them.
There are, of course, issues with the well-being of the O’Brien yard and that should need consideration.
But the Ballydoyle handler seems fairly confident that his horses are back on the up and, quite simply, he would not be sending Kew Gardens to England if he felt there were any fitness worries. The Galileo colt is making great progress this season and this looks a perfect race for him.
The Juddmonte International Stakes later on the card looks an absolute belter, with slight preference for Poet’s Word.
Sir Michael Stoute’s five-yearold has been one of the true stars of the Flat season, having won the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot and then the King George last month.
Dangers abound in what could be a race for the ages but Poet’s Word seems almost certain to run his race and is as reliable and tough as they get.
There is a lot more to come from Watan, who looks the solution to the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes. The young son of Toronado defeated a clutch of lovely horses on his debut and he almost certainly falls into the could-be-anything category.