George Boughey has stated ‘it’s all systems go’ for Bow Echo as the Sussex Stakes approaches. The Night Of Thunder colt looked a future star when a four length winner at Newbury on debut last season. After following up in the Ascendant Stakes, he defied keenness in winning the Group 2 Royal Lodge.
Bow Echo was a rare winner of the 2000 Guineas having not had a prep-race, beating Gstaad in bloodless fashion. It remained to be seen whether he could back that up having been specifically targeted for it, but he again got the better of Gstaad in the St James’ Palace.
An unbeaten star miler captures the public imagination, such as Frankel and more recently Baaeed. Despite this immortal tag, George Boughey has stated he is feeling no pressure as his preparation ramps up.
Boughey told the Press Association, via Racing TV: “The whole story of an unbeaten horse always captures the public imagination. We are really looking forward to taking on the older horses for the first time at Goodwood. But I don’t think there is more pressure on me.
“As I’ve said a number of times he makes my job very easy. He is a very straightforward animal to train and he takes his work well. Consistency with anything in life makes people’s lives easier.
“He just eats, sleeps and trains and has hit every target so far. We have been very lucky that has been the case and hopefully it carries on that way.”
“It is all systems go and everyone is very happy with him” – George Boughey
Bow Echo will likely face Gstaad again in what will become a fascinating trilogy between the pair. Only a neck separated them at Ascot, in what was a messy race from the off, hindering Bow Echo early.
Queen Anne third Opera Ballo is also likely to feature, whose style will be well suited to the Goodwood track. Fourth behind him there was Zeus Olympios, though Karl Burke has suggested he’s unlikely to take up his entry here.
Last year’s shock winner Qirat returned to the winners enclosure at York last month. He’s three from three at Goodwood, and bids to provide another shock.
George Boughey will be unfazed by any competition though, despite facing another stiff task against his elders.
“He is in great shape and we couldn’t be much happier with him. He is a very consistent horse whose work has always been very strong and that certainly hasn’t changed. It is all systems go and everyone is very happy with him.”