Alparslan threw his hat into the Classic ring after staying on best of all to land the Group 3 Greenham Stakes on Saturday. The son of Dandy Man made all on the stand-side rail under Clifford Lee, comfortably fending off the challengers. Despite a predominantly speedily-bred pedigree, Karl Burke has suggested he’s likely to step up to a mile.
Burke told the Racing Post: “He’s a high-class horse, and I’m sure he’ll turn up in one of the Guineas. But it’s a case of which one we go for. We’ve got time to go to the English and Irish, it’s a nice problem to have and I’m really happy.”
Alparslan’s only defeat came on the Rowley Mile last season, which could potentially sway connections to Ireland, or France. “He’s been to Newmarket, and he didn’t like the undulations of the track” said Burke. Although that could’ve been down to two-year-old immaturity. It’s a question mark.
“Whether racing round a bend at Longchamp for the French Guineas would be his cup of tea, I don’t know. But the Curragh would suit him well as he’s obviously won there. The mile is the question, but when you look at the last 50 yards, he’s not stopping. He’s going away if anything.
Zavateri and Albert Einstein both emerge with credit
Connections of the second and third were both happy with their respective efforts. But a 2000 Guineas bid is not set in stone for either. Zavateri had drifted markedly throughout the morning, but ran respectably to stay on for second. Eve Johnson Houghton said: “We were going to come for a racecourse gallop, but this will have brought him on a ton. He’s the most lovely horse and he’s grown a lot. I’m thrilled with him and he’s trained on clearly. He gets the trip, and he probably will get a mile.”
Albert Einstein was another on the drift, despite coming back in to go off favourite. The Wootton Bassett colt was two from two last season, but niggling injuries set him back. He reappeared with a modest effort at the Curragh, but he stepped forward on Saturday to place third. Kevin Buckley, Coolmore’s British representative, stated: “He has run a creditable race in a muddling contest. We have to be happy with that. We’ll let Ryan speak with Aidan and the owners. Then a decision will be made about which route we’re going to go.”