GODOLPHIN has been in fine form lately and enjoyed a 1-2 in the Group 3 JLT Greenham Stakes at Newbury on Saturday. In the end, it was the Richard Hannon-trained Barney Roy, 5/2, and James Doyle who picked off 9/4 favourite Dream Castle and went two lengths clear. It was four lengths back to Zainhom.
Barney Roy stayed with Hannon following his purchase by Godolphin after a fluent Haydock success as a two-year-old last season.
“We’ve always liked him and there’s a big chance he’ll go for the 2,000 Guineas,” the trainer said. “He’s always looked a bit different, the way he moves and canters. He might even get the Derby trip the way he relaxes.”
Bookmakers made Barney Roy a general 8/1 chance for Newmarket. Dream Castle pulled too hard and will now be tried in a hood by Saeed Bin Suroor.
France option for Dabyah
JOHN Gosden is in cracking form and his latest three-year-old filly to shine is Dabyah, the daughter of Australian sire Sepoy. She made all for Frankie Dettori in the Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Stakes and justified 6/4 favouritism into the bargain.
The trainer also has Nell Gwyn winner Daban, in the same ownership, and now holds a strong hand with his classic fillies.
Dabyah finished just over a length in front of 25/1 chance Urban Fox and is no bigger than 6/1 for the Qipco 1000 Guineas but both Gosden and Abdullah Saeed Al Naboodah’s racing manager Bruce Raymond are edging towards the French version at Deauville with Daban possibly contesting the Newmarket race.
“There’s not much between them,” Raymond said. “The other filly has a lot of speed but this one has been to France before and would probably handle a bit of cut. They’ll be kept separate.”
Muntahaa reverses form
GOSDEN also won the opening Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes, the former John Porter, with 9/2 shot Muntahaa, who wore down Ralph Beckett’s Chemical Charge to score by a neck.
The winner, fourth in last year’s St Leger, was reversing recent Doncaster form with the quirky runner-up on better ground.
The son of Dansili is a likeable and genuine sort and the trainer is looking towards the Yorkshire Cup as his main target.
Gosden went on to complete a treble when Face The Facts and Dettori won the 11-furlong maiden. The Queen’s Vase is a possible target.
Queen could have a contender
QUEEN Elizabeth went racing and saw her Galileo colt Call To Mind (6/4 favourite) land the first division of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships Maiden by a neck from Commander.
Ryan Moore did the steering and there was much talk afterwards about a possible tilt at the Derby, although winning trainer William Haggas said he will take his time with the colt and suggested that the Dante at York may come too soon.
Even so, Call To Mind has the right attitude and will stay well beyond a mile.
Her Majesty nearly completed a double in the second division but the well-backed Musical Terms, by Shamardal, was beaten a couple of lengths by Rod Millman’s unconsidered 100/1 shot Duke Of Bronte and Ryan Tate.
LUCA Cumani’s Banksea looks like a handicapper to follow this season after he was produced with a late burst by Jamie Spencer to take the Be Wiser Insurance Spring Cup by half a length from Richard Fahey’s Another Touch. Banksea may well have improved for being gelded and races like the Victoria Cup and Royal Hunt Cup are on his agenda now.