It’s been a remarkable season for Andrew Balding on the Knavesmire, who recorded his 15th winner of the season at York with Royal Authority on Saturday. The Kingsclere trainer was two ahead of Haggas, but the Yorkshireman had to concede defeat when his Iron Stone Lad was trumped by Balding’s.
It was a strong start to the season for Balding at See The Fire won the Middleton Stakes, prior to Item landing the Dante. Item would go on to be responsible for a fifth of his winners at York, as he won the Great Voltigeur prior to Juddmonte Stakes.
One of those was Kalpana in the Yorkshire Oaks, who’s earned a significant chunk of the yards prize money this season having taken her form to a new level. His relationship with Juddmonte is strengthening by the season, including with Blue Bolt who’s won four Group 1’s in a row this season.
Balding amassed an excellent £928,052 at the Ebor meeting with six winners across the week, closing the gap significantly to Aidan O’Brien in the British trainers title. His father won the trainer’s title in 1971, but Andrew has yet to replicate that success having finished second twice.
Kingsclere currently lead the way in the standings with just under £100,000 separating himself and Aidan O’Brien, and this weekend on Champions Day could be the deciding factor.
The Balding camp, however, are at a numerical disadvantage this weekend following the confirmations this morning.
Long Distance Cup
With £285,55.00 to the winner, Aidan O’Brien holds strong claims to reclaim his lead as Scandinavia heads the market. The Justify colt was met with a surprise defeat in the Prix Du Cadran as Caballo De Mar made a strong return to form. The latter re-opposes and it’ll be a fascinating match up once more.
O’Brien also fields Queenstown, Amelia Earhart and Pierre Bonnard. Queenstown has placed twice in Group 1 contests behind stablemate Scandinavia, and given there’s prize money of £107,500.00 for second and £53,800.00 for third, O’Brien looks sure to accumulate some riches.
Andrew Balding has the one bullet in Mount Atlas, who has some strong form as Ascot and wasn’t disgraced on his first try at two miles at York. He finished ahead of Caballo De Mar there, but his downfall is his keenness. That said, Coolmore will want to make this a stiff test of stamina which will suit Mount Atlas in order to settle early, but he still does have to prove his stamina.
Sprint Stakes
Next up is the Sprint Stakes, and they all have to beat Almeraq. The Dark Angel colt was a comfortable winner of the Haydock Sprint Cup, and looks to be a cut above the rest. As we’ve seen in the past though, the Sprint Stakes often throws up a surprise winner including last year at 200/1.
With that in mind, we shouldn’t underestimate Marvelman for Andrew Balding for the £283,550.00 prize. His sole blip this season came behind Almeraq at Haydock, but he has some strong form outside of that and cannot be discounted for place chances.
Fillies & Mares
The Fillies & Mares will be the decisive contest for Balding as they head the market for the £238,355.00 prize with Kalpana. She produced a sparkling performance in this race last season following on from her Arc defeat.
As mentioned, she’s transcended her form this season and produced a better performance in the Arc this season, beaten three lengths behind Daryz.
On all known form it’s tough to see her beat, and Coolmore’s best hope of that is Minnie Hauk. Minnie Hauk has been behind Kalpana on three occasions this season, but if putting her best foot forward, place money isn’t out of the question.
Balmoral Handicap
Balding’s only other entrant is Mister Winston, a 50/1 poke for the Balmoral. He’s already been to Ascot twice this season, though has been met with comfortable defeats and looks unlikely to bolster the yards prize fund.
Unfortunately for Balding, he doesn’t have anything entered for the opening Champion Two-Year-Old Conditions Stakes whereas O’Brien has confirmed four, including Bengal Tiger who was a 12 length winner at Naas on Sunday.
Furthermore, O’Brien has two entered in the QEII including Constitution River, who’s on the comeback trail after his Juddmonte and Irish Champions Stakes third. He drops to a mile for the first time in what looks like a blockbuster of a race.
Realistically, Andrew Balding has the one bullet in Kalpana who could see him pull clear of Aidan O’Brien. Arguably, she’s stronger than any of O’Brien’s, but with the likes of Scandinavia and Constitution River, plenty of place money is guaranteed at the very least for O’Brien whose domination at the top shows no signs of slowing down.