Today’s Qatar Goodwood Festival card is headed by the dual Gr1 winner Audarya, who tops a high-quality field of six for Gr1 Qatar Nassau Stakes run over 2000m.
(Pic- Goodwood Racecourse)
The race is due to start at 16h35.
Audarya, the Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mares Turf winner last season, produced an excellent effort when chasing home Love on her return to action in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot last month. Red hot William Buick maintains the partnership.
The biggest threat to James Fanshawe’s mare could come from the Aidan O’Brien stable. Ballydoyle field dual Classic winners Empress Josephine and Joan Of Arc. As three-year-olds they crucially both claim the 9lb’s age allowance. Empress Josephine won the Irish 1000 Guineas by a short head from her stable mate. Since their meeting at the Curragh, Joan Of Arc has gone on to land the Gr1 Longines Prix de Diane, over the extended mile and a quarter. Retained stable jockey Ryan Moore retains the ride on this Galileo filly. It must be noted that she’s placed in group one company on heavy going.
Friday, day four of the festival, and Battaash is favourite as he attempts to win the Gr2 Qatar King George Stakes over a 1000m for a fifth consecutive time at 16h35. The son of Dark Angel has won on soft going on three occasions, but with his greatest asset being his turn of foot, a sounder surface would be optimal.
Once again it looks as though the three-year-olds will be his main challengers. Champion jockey Oisin Murphy rides Dragon Symbol for Archie Watson and this son of Cable Bay was an admirable second behind the impressive Starman in the Gr1 Darley July stakes at Newmarket. He is fancied to land the spoils after three near misses in top company.
The sophomore fillies Winter Power and French raider Suesa receive 7lb’s from the Crowley ridden favourite. The latter named has recorded her four victories on soft or heavy ground and will have the services of William Buick. Both fillies must be respected.
Earlier on the card at 15h25, the much vaunted Baaeed contests the Gr3 Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes over a mile. Unbeaten in three starts, the impressive son of Sea the Stars tackles twelve possible fellow three-year-olds. He is rated at least 5lb’s better in this field and he won on good to soft ground at Newmarket earlier in the season.
