GG Editor Dan Corbally takes a look at the Listed Stonehenge Stakes at Sailsbury on Wednesday, providing a runner-by-runner preview before giving us his verdict on the winner.
Two ‘Arab’ named horses are sure to take all the attention with the highly touted Arabian Crown taking a step up in class along with the impressive debut winner Arabic Legend. While another debut winner, Spanish Point is not without a chance nor is the highly-tried Son.
Runner-By-Runner Guide
1. ARABIAN CROWN
Came to the racecourse with a big reputation, a well-backed 5/4 favourite, but like most of the yard’s runners this season they’ve not fired as sharply as expected. He ran green on debut but caught the eye in a big way and duly converted that potential to success on his second start when running out a comfortable winner. This step up in trip looks like a good idea, with his half-sister Pocketfullofdreams finishing second in a Listed Oaks Trial; and his full sister landing a LIsted contest in Germany on Heavy going. William Buick remains in the plate as you’d expect.
2. ARABIC LEGEND
Arrives here on the back of an impressive debut success at Sandown, lowering the colours of Arabian Crown’s stablemate Emperor’s Star. That rival has since let the form down behind another of today’s rivals, Spanish Point, but excuses can be made on account of the heavy ground which may not have suited. Regardless of that form knock, it was hard not to be taken by the style of this colt’s debut, making smooth headway. Oisín Murphy comes in for the ride today, taking over from Rob Hornby.
3. LIGHTNING LEO
Another debut-winner who has been highly tried since his first start, finishing down the field in the Chesham before taking 4th in a French Listed event. This step up in trip may suit, with his Damsire being Galileo, but others in this field look to hold a higher ceiling potential-wise and he’ll need to step forward further again on his fourth start. Hollie Doyle is aboard, as she was at Royal Ascot.
4. METALLO
Has gone off double figure prices on all three starts but did oblige at a generous 40/1 for backers on his second start. Thrown in at the deep end last time out when beaten thirteen lengths behind the imposing City Of Troy in the Superlative Stakes, while there’s no shame in losing to that exciting colt, rather more alarming in terms of this race is that Son was three lengths ahead and renews rivalries today.
5. QUATRE BRAS
A last time out Novice Stakes winner who has form with runners in this race, finished a long last in the Superlative Stakes and behind Lightning Leo on debut at Yarmouth. Would need most of these to falter to score, even if this extra furlong brings out improvement. Tom Marquand takes over and as always is a good booking.
6. SON
Another runner in the field dropping back in class, having contested a couple of Group 2 races of late, including the Superlative Stakes & Vintage Stakes. While he’ll likely appreciate some potentially easier company, his official rating of 99 probably flatters him. Nevertheless he’s not a totally forlorn hope with his regular rider Pat Dobbs retaining the ride.
7. SPANISH POET
Well-related colt who put in a taking performance on debut less than two weeks ago in testing conditions at Sandown, taking the scalp of the previously discussed Emperor’s Star in testing conditions. Question marks loom about the strength of that form on face value with 40/1 & 50/1 shots filling the frame in testing conditions (Heavy). He’s by Lope De Vega so the going on that occasion may have proved in his favour, but it was still a game debut success and he deserves respect, even more-so that his half-sister, Beamish, was a Listed winner at 4 and only made her debut at 3 (a winning one). Another half-sister, Bourree, was a dual Group 3 winner in France and Germany, including at two. Rossa Ryan keeps the ride and looks an intriguing contender.
Verdict
A few unexposed types leave plenty of questions marks and guesswork involved in what could turn out to be a fair race. With the Charlie Appleby team not firing on all cylinders Arabian Crown is taken on with SPANISH POINT. Ralph Beckett has had his team in fine form lately, including a treble on Sunday and this colt won’t mind any rain that comes and can confirm the impression made on debut.
SELECTION: SPANISH POET
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