Weighing room stalwart Robert Havlin has partnered Sweet William on each of his 23 career starts. He believes success on the gallant Clarehaven inmate would be the pinnacle of his riding achievements.
The Sea The Stars gelding is a model of consistency, having only finished outside the top three once in his career. After his second in the 2023 Ebor, he’s featured in a plethora of big staying prizes and rarely fails to let himself down. Having defeated subsequent Group 1 winner Caballo De Mar on seasonal debut, a belated Group 1 prize may be imminent.
Speaking about his chances, Havlin told the Racing Post: “It would be the pinnacle and the topping on the cake. I love riding Sweet William because he’s a character. Some days he travels and some days he doesn’t. Some days he finishes strong and some days he doesn’t, but what I can say is that he’s in great form. I rode him on Saturday morning and he’s jumping and kicking, so fingers crossed.”
While his only below par run came in this contest, Havlin believes a change in tactics could shorten the deficit.
“Last year he was training so well that I parked him upsides Trawlerman early on and I paid the price for it,” continued Havlin. “Previously we’ve let him find his feet and work his way into the race, I’ll probably ride him that way.
“Maybe this is the time to find a chink in his armour” – Robert Havlin
Trawlerman has developed into the leading performer in the staying division. However, he wasn’t a definite runner in this contest until recently. Due to an eye condition, he’ll unusually sport a pair of ski goggles in the preliminaries. While on his best form he’d take some beating, now may be the time to beat him, suggests Havlin.
“Trawlerman is a hard nut to crack but he’s usually had a couple of prep runs before his Gold Cup tilt and this year he’s going in there without a run, so maybe this is the time to find a chink in his armour.
“Trawlerman and Caballo De Mar are the only two in the field who are guaranteed to stay. We know Sweet William’s best trip is probably between two miles and two-miles-and-two-furlongs, but he’s always there at the finish. No matter what Cup race it is, he’s always there in the first three. I’m just hoping he can be a couple of places closer at Ascot.”