Hey Brock.....
SADDEX GIVEN CHAMPION OPTION
By Nick Robson, PA Sport
German raider Saddex could be aimed at the Emirates Airlines Champion Stakes at Newmarket on October 18.
The Peter Rau-trained five-year-old has already scored at the highest level this season when he won the Premio Presidente della Repubblica in Rome - his second Group One victory.
He was only half a length behind Duke Of Marmalade in the Prix Ganay in April and Rau firstly has his eyes on race in his homeland.
"The long-term plan is to go to either Newmarket for the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes or to Longchamp for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe," said Rau.
"We will make a decision after his next race at Baden Baden in September - the Grosser Preis von Baden,"
"Saddex has enjoyed a rest since his win in Rome, a victory that pleased me a lot, and he is in good form as we look ahead to Baden Baden.
"The form of his second to Duke Of Marmalade in the Prix Ganay has worked out very well, which pleases me, and that was his first start of the year - so it was a good effort.
"The Champion Stakes is a race of great prestige, so it would be good to win it."
As expected, all the leading horses entries at this stage hold entries for the Champion Stakes, including Derby winner New Approach.
Multiple Group One winners Henrythenavigator and Duke Of Marmalade are also engaged - as are the Nassau Stakes one-two-three of Halfway To Heaven, Lush Lashes and Passage Of Time.
|