Albert Einstein has been given a surprise entry in the Group 3 Greenham Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.
The former 2000 Guineas favourite was a flop on return in the Gladness Stakes at the Curragh. He could finish only sixth in that Listed event having raced too keenly over the 7f trip.
Connections have not yet given up hope that he could stay the 1m distance in the 2000 Guineas though. That is despite an administrative mix-up ensuring he and stablemate Gstaad were accidentally pulled out of the race at an early confirmations stage. They will both now need to be supplemented.
With the intention seemingly still to run, trainer Aidan O’Brien has given him the option of racing at Newbury this weekend. The 7f Greenham Stakes is another of the key stepping stones towards the 2000 Guineas. He was among 12 entries which also featured Group 1 winner Zavateri.
“He’s come out of his race at the Curragh very well” – O’Brien
Despite only finishing sixth, O’Brien saw the positives in Albert Einstein’s seasonal debut. Even running in that race was an unusual step for a Ballydoyle Guineas contender, with all of O’Brien’s recent winners arriving for the Newmarket Classic fresh for the calendar year.
However, O’Brien is without a win in the 2000 Guineas since 2019. In an attempt to change that, there is a chance that Albert Einstein, who only raced twice at two, may double his career tally for appearances before even meeting Newmarket.
“It’s a possibility he could run in the Greenham,” O’Brien confirmed to the Racing Post. “But not a definite by any means. We’ll see how he is later in the week, see how the ground is and little things like that before we’ll make a call on it. Nothing is set in stone with him just yet.
“He’s come out of his race at the Curragh very well and it’s done him good. We knew it would.”
Having showed such speed as a juvenile, Albert Einstein could still revert to sprinting trips. His pedigree gives mixed messages about what should prove his optimum distance. As such, O’Brien may determine his likely division for this term ahead of a decision about his Greenham entry.
“No decision has been made yet as to whether we’ll aim for the Guineas with him or go sprinting. If we were to go to the Guineas, the Greenham would obviously be a big help to him. We need to work him out and the more we see of him, the easier he’ll be to work out.”