The York Ebor Festival is always a highlight in the Flat racing summer and this year is no different, as we send a nice team up north for a meeting on the Knavesmire.
Docklands is in great form and it’s all systems go for the Juddmonte International (15:35) on Wednesday. The Strensall had been the plan, but we’ve been looking forward to stepping him up to a mile-and-a-quarter for a while now, and we’re very excited to run him here. We think we know where we are in terms of the older horses in the race, so it’s just a case of matching him up against the three-year-olds. City Of Troy’s run in the Eclipse gave us a bit of a clue and we’re very happy to take him on, as well as the others from the Classic generation.
It’s very exciting to be aiming for the Cox Plate later in the season, and that’s partly why he hasn’t had a run since Ascot, as we try and space his races out. We want to keep him nice and fresh and healthy throughout the summer, as he could have had a long year ahead of him by the time he’s finished in Australia. The Juddmonte seems the perfect stepping stone for him before he heads into quarantine for Australia, and while the three-year-olds are towards the head of the betting, we’re really looking forward to the clash.
We run Crystal Delight and Ziggy in the Ebor (15:35) on Saturday, and they’re two I’m very happy with. Crystal Delight slightly blotted his copybook last time, but we feel that the Ebor should see him back on track. It has been the target for a long time, and while we don’t know for sure if he’ll stay, both the way he trains, and his pedigree suggest that he’s got as good a chance as any. Ziggy seems in great form as well. He’s been very consistent this year, placing at Royal Ascot along the way, and I was delighted to get his head back in front the other day. He brings York form to the table, which is a big positive, so having two chances in a race like this is very exciting.
Time For Sandals is one we’re very much looking forward to trying in the Lowther (13:50) on Thursday. The form of her maiden has worked out pretty well, with Jouncy coming out and winning, and now looks set for the Acomb. I don’t see why we can’t up her in class to this as she seems in great form and her run, from an inadequate draw, in the Super Sprint was very encouraging. The sharp six furlongs at York is going to be about ideal for her at this stage. We’ll see what turns up and we’ll learn a lot more about her on Thursday.
It was a shame that Divine Comedy couldn’t run at Goodwood, but the ground should be right for her to take her chance in the Stayers Handicap (16:10) on Wednesday. We’re aiming her back into handicap company at York, and I think the track will really suit. She’s trained very well since her second at Royal Ascot and we’re really looking forward to running.
Boadicia is one we feel is still quite unexposed. She was relatively impressive at Doncaster last time, but the handicapper only put her up six, so she’s off 80 and she aims for the five-furlong Fillies’ Handicap (16:45) on Wednesday. It’s quite a big step up for her but she showed lots of speed last time at Doncaster and I think the flat five at York will really suit her. We’re pitching her in quite deep, but I think she’s up to it as long as the ground stays quick.
Last but not least is Chasing Aphrodite in final race of the meeting, the mile-and-a-quarter Handicap (17:20) on Saturday. We tried him over a mile-and-a-half for the first time at Ascot on his last start, but he just didn’t stay. Actually, that form’s worked out well, really, with the Alan King horse the second that day who came out and won on the Shergar Cup card. Back to 10 furlongs on a sharper track will suit him, and while he might not be well-in from a handicap perspective, he’s in great form at home.
Enjoy the week.
Best of luck,
Harry