From Racing Post...
Araafa sends out stern warning to Sussex rivals
by Tony Elves
ARAAFA sent out a stern warning to thosewishing to lock horns with him in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on August 2 when putting in a scintillating piece of work on the July course in Newmarket on Friday.
The Jeremy Noseda-trained Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes winner walked round calm and relaxed in the tree-sheltered pre-parade ring before joining up with Alan Munro, and he cantered down to the course to ready himself for his exercise over six and a half furlongs.
Sally Noseda ensured there was a decent paceon Araafa’s lead companion but entering the final two furlongs it was time for Munro to press the accelerator. The Mull Of Kintyre colt quickened majestically clear to finish about ten lengths ahead of his companion, in an effort that echoed his performance at Ascot. That run produced a Topspeed rating of 119, the best by any three-year-old over any trip so far this season.
Munro, who could not contain his enthusiasm, said: “That is as good as it gets - we didn’t go too quickly in the early stages but the work was excellent.
“He really is the complete article and goes on both extremes - he won the Irish Guineas on heavy and the Ascot race on fast ground and he’s an improver. “He is as good a horse as I have ridden and from a riding point of view he’s an attacker - when he goes there’s no hiding place for the horses behind him and he just wants to win.
“He’s very good on the big day and he bounced off that win in Ireland and won the St James’s Palace and is very impressive to ride as he has a lot of power and the will of the horse is amazing - I just hope I do him justice at Goodwood.”
The same exercise routine had been used a stepping stone to success in the Cantor Spreadfair-sponsored event for Noseda with Proclamation 12 months ago and the Newmarket trainer appeared as relaxed as his stable star after the exercise spin as his staff administered some cool splashes of water over the colt.
Noseda said: “That was everything you could ask for - it was beautiful ground which was ideal and think that work was worth three gallops at home and he will only need a blowout next week before the Sussex.
“Maybe I am being a bit superstitious but we did it last year and it worked and the trip away from home should ensure he’s not toosparky when he gets to Goodwood.
“That would have done his confidence the world of good, I’m happy and we go to the Sussex.”
Coral trimmed Araafa to 7-4 favourite (from 2-1) with Sovet Song their next best at 9-2 but the best backed horse by far on Friday was Jersey Stakes winner Jeremy.
Coral cut the Sir Michael Stoute-trained contender to 8-1 (from 10), William Hill went 13-2 (from 10) and Bet Direct 6-1 (from 10).
|