Star sprinter Battaash is one of 11 declarations for the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood today.
Of interest to South African racing fans will be the locally sponsored L’Ormarins Queens Plate Oak Tree Stakes which has attracted a field of 17, including Carolinae, winner of a Listed race last time out at Chelmsford.
Goodwood Clerk of the Course Ed Arkell planned to apply water to the racecourse ahead of the fourth day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival.
In his first season in charge, Arkell has avoided applying the sprayers until now, but with blue skies and warm weather prevailing – and more of the same set to come – the ground has steadily dried through the week. On Thursday morning it was changed from ‘Good’ to ‘Good, Good to Firm in places’ and it has become quicker.
The temporary rails on the top and bottom bends, which lead into the straight, have been taken down to provide fresh ground on the inner.
Charlie Hills’ Group One-winning four-year-old Battaash, who is owned by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, claimed victory in this race 12 months ago and is back for another go in the hands of Jim Crowley.
File pic – thumbs up from Jim Crowley on Suyoof (photo: Andrew Watkins)
Battaash was last seen finishing second to Blue Point in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot and will be short odds to get back to winning ways.
Curragh winner Havana Grey looks a progressive horse and represents North Yorkshire trainer Karl Burke, while Kachy is also involved for the Tom Dascombe operation.
Fast-ground specialist Muthmir, who won the race in 2015, gives Sheikh Hamdan another option.
South Yorkshire handler David Griffiths has declared Take Cover, who landed the Group Two in 2014 and 2016, and Duke Of Firenze.
Aidan O’Brien gives Sioux Nation the chance to shine, with fellow three-year-olds Stone Of Destiny (Andrew Balding), Heartache (Clive Cox) and Main Desire (Michael Bell) also in the shake-up.
Mr Lupton, trained by Richard Fahey, completes the list.
Eminent steps back up to a mile and a half for the first time since finishing fourth in last season’s Derby when he runs in the Bombay Sapphire Glorious Stakes at Goodwood today.
Trainer Martyn Meade has been at a loss to explain his below-par efforts this season and has experimented over a variety of trips.
Last of five on his return in the Huxley Stakes at Chester, the Frankel colt cut little ice behind subsequent King George winner Poet’s Word in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.
Meade ran him over a mile at Ascot last time but he was beaten four lengths by Beat The Bank.
The L’Ormarins Queens Plate Oak Tree Stakes has attracted a field of 17, including Carolinae, winner of a Listed race last time out at Chelmsford.
