Powerful chance for Slattery colt in smart renewal of Sapphire Stakes
'He looks ready for this, he's very exciting and we like him, he's a very fast horse,' said Slattery ahead of the Group Two contest.
'I'm as confident as I can be I suppose, I wouldn't swap him for another horse in there anyway. His form stands up. He's raced against Arizona Blaze twice and beaten him twice.
'Mgheera is a Group Two winner, but she's got the penalty. We've been taking our time with him, but everything has been good with him. We won't know if he's ready for the next step until we do it.
'I think with a bit of luck in running we should take a good bit of beating.'
Arizona Blaze was second at Royal Ascot in the Commonwealth Cup last time out and was also second at the Breeders' Cup last autumn.
'We're expecting a big run. He's a lovely horse and he never seems to run a bad race,' said trainer Adrian Murray.
'He's been second in two Group Ones, at the Breeders' Cup and Royal Ascot, he was third at Ascot last year, he's won two Group Threes, he's been a great horse for us.
'Hopefully we get get his head in front in a Group One before the season is out.
'If the winner at Ascot (Time For Sandals) had been on his side I think he might have battled back because they were so far apart he probably thought he'd won, but that's racing.
'All ground comes alike to him, it doesn't seem to be an issue, so hopefully he's got a great chance.'
Only four line up in the GAIN Railway Stakes, with Aidan O'Brien responsible for Queen Mary winner True Love and Puerto Rico, Ger Lyons runs Learntodiscover and Murray sends Power Blue, fifth in the Coventry Stakes.
'Power Blue hasn't been running badly since his debut. He's a fair horse, he's never disappointed,' said Murray.
'He ran a fair race in Ascot and hopefully he'll put it up to the favourite (True Love).
'We've all heard what Aidan says of Albert Einstein and he didn't beat him far in the Marble Hill so that must give us a great chance.'
A field of nine has been declared for the Michael John Kennedy Curragh Cup, with Joseph O'Brien saddling three.
Al Riffa sets the standard having been runner-up in the Hardwicke last time out, Uxmal won the Queen's Vase last year but has not run since while Leinster has been fourth in the Chester Cup and Ascot Stakes the last twice.
'Al Riffa steps up in distance for the first time and we're looking forward to seeing how that goes. Leinster ran well at Royal Ascot and Uxmal is having his first run off a lay off and it is nice to get him back on track,' said O'Brien.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rhyl Journal
12 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Coppull braves Goodwood downpour in Richmond Stakes
Following on from Golden Horde in 2019 and Supremacy 12 months later, Cox bided his time with the son of Bated Breath after a meritorious run at Royal Ascot. He finished third behind Gstaad in the Coventry Stakes there and paid the winner a handsome compliment, always looking in control under David Probert. Aidan O'Brien's Puerto Rico finished second for the third race in a row, but never looked like getting on terms with the two-length winner. Eve Johnson Houghton's Havana Hurricane was last at the halfway stage and while he did make plenty of progress, his run eventually flattened out and he finished third. Cox said: 'I was worried about soft ground because he's got such a beautiful action on a nice surface. He's very quick and did that really well. 'I'm still not sure he'll go on really soft ground so if we'd been in the next race it would have been harder work, but he's still very good and he showcased that today. 'I think he's very gifted and he's a proper six-furlong horse so usual plans from here, Middle Park will be the end goal.' O'Brien said of Puerto Rico: ''I'm very happy with that. It was a lovely run and I'd say he'd be happy going up to seven furlongs.' Johnson Houghton felt the rain had already got into the ground, blunting Havana Hurricane's speed. She said: 'The ground was just a bit loose and that impacted on his turn of foot, but he's run a lovely race. 'I'm really pleased, the horse in front is rated 102 and the horse in front of him is rated 104 – we've turned the form around with Maximised so I'm happy. 'He tries really hard, he's an absolute legend and we love him.'
Scottish Sun
14 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Horse racing tips: ‘He goes on any ground and arrives after a personal best' – Templegate's 5-1 NAP
Read on for our man's picks TEMPLEGATE'S TIPS Horse racing tips: 'He goes on any ground and arrives after a personal best' – Templegate's 5-1 NAP Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TEMPLEGATE takes on Friday's racing from Glorious Goodwood confident of success after banging in a 28-1 treble on Thursday. Back a horse by clicking their odds below. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up FIFTH COLUMN (2.30 Goodwood, nap) John Gosden has a nice three-year-old on his hands in this son of Kingman. He showed promise last season and got off the mark in a Kempton maiden on comeback in April. That form was quickly left behind with a smooth handicap success at Sandown - before an excellent effort in the Britannia at Royal Ascot. He was only seventh in that hot contest but he was first home in his group getting the worst of the draw. He clocked a personal best when winning at Newmarket last time and relishes this mile trip. He goes on any ground so it won't matter what the weather does. BIG MOJO (3.05 Goodwood, nb) Likes it here and can show his class in the King George Qatar Stakes. DIEGO VENTURA (1.55 Goodwood, treble) He is just about the only runner in the field who is proven in testing conditions - and looks set to get just that. Templegate's TV verdicts 1.20 KYLE OF LOCHALSH is fancied to go three better than last year's fourth and land this marathon prize. He's on the same mark, handles any ground and shaped with promise on his reappearance. He's much more lightly raced than 12 months ago and looks primed to peak. Aggagio loves it round here and was impressive under Ashley Lewis last time but stamina beyond 2m remains a question mark. Align The Stars hasn't quite fired this year but ran well in a strong Royal Ascot handicap and is lurking on a handy mark. He has a good record here but came up short in this last year. Tashkhan is classy and thrives in deep ground should it rain, with similar comments applying to Zinc White. Sheradann has been knocking on the door and shapes as though this trip will suit. Irish raider Mordor is interesting as this stamina test could bring improvement. 1.55 DIEGO VENTURA is just about the only runner in the field who is proven in testing conditions. James Doyle's mount has been running well at Listed level in France and scored over seven furlongs at Longchamp in May. He then went well at Epsom before going down in a bunch finish at Chantilly last time. Conditions will be ideal and he has more to come. Cosmic Year has shown his best on good ground as he showed when second in the Irish 2,000 Guineas which is strong form. The ground may not be ideal but this is a fair drop in class which makes him a player. King Of Cities has been placed on tacky ground and sees out this trip well. He has yet to win this season but could go well under Ryan Moore. Seagulls Eleven was a solid second to non-runner Opera Ballo at Newmarket last time. He's unproven on this ground and needs a step forward. 2.30 FIFTH COLUMN can take another step up for the Gosdens. His only defeat this season came when a strong-finishing seventh in the Britannia at Royal Ascot, where he won his group and shaped like the best horse on the far side. He confirmed that when winning stylishly at Newmarket last time, and a 3lb penalty might not be enough to anchor this improving three-year-old who can beat his elders. Skukuza is the main threat. He's officially 8lb well in after two smooth wins at The Curragh, including a Listed last time, and is clearly thriving. Greek Order ran a screamer in the Royal Hunt Cup on his first start back from the US and again shaped well at Sandown behind Arisaig who is a contender here. He's a big player if things fall right. Ebt's Guard has run well here before and wasn't beaten far in the Royal Hunt Cup. 3.05 BIG MOJO can follow up last year's Glorious Goodwood win in the King George Qatar Stakes. Mick Appleby's flyer ran a cracker at Newmarket last time and looks up to this level. Aussie Asfoora will show her true colours here after a poor Ascot run, while She's Quality lives up to her name. Here's my guide to the field, where I rate them one (worst) to five (best): ASFOORA 4 FOOR star. Aussie raider won the King Charles III at Royal Ascot last year was just denied in this. Had excuses this year and could bounce back. BIG MOJO 5 BIG chance. Won Molecomb here last year and has progressed at three. Unlucky in the Commonwealth Cup and ran a huge race in the July Cup. Strong claims back at 5f. CELANDINE 2 HARD Cel. Chased home Big Mojo in last year's Molecomb and beat Time For Sandals over 6f at York. Needs to prove she enjoys 5f as much. CLARENDON HOUSE 1 DON for. Has run well over this C&D before but was poor at Epsom last time and needs more at this level. FROST AT DAWN 3 HOT Frost. Won 6f Listed race earlier this season and showed real speed when second in the King Charles III at Royal Ascot. Can go close again. JM JUNGLE 2 JUNGLE fever. Won over C&D at this meeting in 2023 and landed the Epsom Dash in June. Ran well in Listed last time but not up to this. KERDOS 3 TAKE Ker. Fifth in this race last year and good run in the King Charles III. Likes tacky ground and cheekpieces may help. KHAADEM 3 KHA motors. Won this in 2022 and has landed two Group 1s. He's unbeaten in two runs here and looks a big place price. MANACCAN 1 DANGER Man. Solid Listed performer over this trip but has been struggling for a while. NIGHT RAIDER 3 NIGHT shifts. Unbeaten in four AW starts including a Listed 6f at Newcastle. Turf form not as hot but it's early days. SHE'S QUALITY 4 QUALITY pays. Ran a stormer when second in a hot Group 2 at Haydock in May. Sandown didn't suit last time and this test looks much more suitable. SPARTAN ARROW 2 BLUNT arrow. Has improved since sporting cheekpieces and took a French Listed prize latest. Goes well here and track/trip suits but this is much tougher opposition. TIME FOR SANDALS 3 TIME trial. Surprise winner of the Commonwealth Cup over 6f at Ascot. Could improve again but drop in trip an unknown. TOWN AND COUNTRY 1 TOWN and out. Few miles on the clock and is a Listed winner over this trip. Progressive but needs a lot more in this company. 3.45 SOCIALITE can get the party started. Charlie Hills' four-year-old can take this prize with a bold front-running show. He quickened smartly to win at Windsor on handicap debut, shaping as though this extra furlong would suit. Lightly raced, progressive and effective on any ground, he could prove tough to pass from a handy draw. Liberty Lane is the main danger, with a soft-ground Cambridgeshire win and a Listed success here this year marking him out as a serious player. Haunted Dream won this race last year and had excuses at Royal Ascot. He's a big threat back at this track. Godwinson is thriving after wins in the Lincoln and at Newcastle. He'll be right there if liking this longer trip. Fox Legacy is flying and isn't written off provided the rain stays away. Templegate's tips FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
South Wales Guardian
18 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Asfoora carrying plenty of stable confidence for second crack at Goodwood sprint
The Antipodean speedster stuck around on British soil after her famous Royal Ascot win in the King Charles III Stakes last year and although out of luck at this year's Royal meeting, her team are confident of bettering last year's short-head defeat on Friday. Dwyer said: 'The conditions of the race are a lot more suitable this year and she has a bit less weight without the Group One penalty she had last year and the main opposition, Time For Sandals and Big Mojo, both have quite a bit of weight for their age and are dropping back from six furlongs to five furlongs. Big Evs gets back to winning ways in the King George Qatar Stakes, driven all the way by @TomMarquand to repel the challenge of Asfoora 👏@Q_REC | @MickApplebyUK — Goodwood Racecourse (@Goodwood_Races) August 2, 2024 'So I think the race sets up well for us, it's just a case of whether she can find her best and if she finds it, I think she goes very close to winning and if she's for some reason a length or two below her best, I still think she will still be right there. 'She's nice and relaxed again after Ascot and we gave her two weeks out in the paddock after that to help her settle in a bit more and she seems in a good space. 'I think there's definitely more to come and I do think she will improve again in three weeks' time for York, but she's on an upward curve and is going the right way and hopefully she is in very good shape for this race.' It was Mick Appleby's Big Evs who denied Asfoora in this last year and the Rutland handler, who has formed a great friendship with his Australian counterpart, looks to be a thorn in Dwyer's side once again with July Stakes runner-up and course and distance scorer Big Mojo. 'He's in great order and hopefully we can go and win the race again,' said Appleby. 'He's got plenty of pace and I think at Goodwood it will definitely suit him dropping back to five furlongs and on form he should have a very good chance. 'Asfoora is probably the one to beat, but I think we will be thereabouts anyway.' Joining Big Mojo in reverting back to five furlongs is Time For Sandals who was one half of Harry Eustace's memorable Royal Ascot Group One double when landing the Commonwealth Cup. However, like Appleby, the Newmarket handler has few concerns about the shorter distance and said: 'The big question mark is obviously going back to a sharp five for her having won over a stiff six at Ascot. 'Personally, I don't think it will be a problem and Richard (Kingscote) is pretty positive she'll be fine over it too, but if we're going to find her out this year it will be in this race.' Also expected to thrive on one of the fastest five-furlong tracks in the country is Karl Burke's Night Raider who is backed to showcase his blistering cruising speed. 'When we were buying him I always thought this was the race for him,' said Richard Brown, racing adviser for owners Wathnan Racing. 'He's very fast and Goodwood is a very quick five as we know. It didn't work at Ascot for him, but I do think this will be right up his alley.' Meanwhile Ed Walker's Lowther Stakes winner Celandine will bid to make up for lost time after being kept on the sidelines in the first half of the season. 'It's been a very frustrating year with her so far,' said Walker. 'The plan was to go to Newmarket for the Kilvington as a prep for the Commonwealth Cup. The form from the Lowther was obviously rock solid in the Commonwealth Cup with Time For Sandals winning, so it was pretty heartbreaking being sidelined with a throat infection which dragged on and on. 'We got her back for York in the Summer Stakes, she ran a big race. She was hassled all the way, which wasn't ideal. She didn't get the kind of easy lead she likes but still battled on well to finish third and proved that she's trained on and she's back. 'She had a good blow and she'll come on a lot for that run. I'm not afraid to bring her back to five, so I think she'll be a danger in a wide-open sprint division.'
