York Racecourse

Burke to target Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gimcrack Stakes

YORKSHIRE-based Karl Burke has a couple of classy two-year-olds to aim at the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gimcrack Stakes, the richest Group 2 contest for two year olds in the country, which will be run at York on Wednesday, August 19.

Burke, whose stables are in Middleham, has three among the 53-strong entry, including the very promising pair Corporal Maddox and Reignier.

Corporal Maddox built on a Hamilton maiden victory with success in the Woodcote Stakes (Listed) at Epsom on Investec Derby day as he came from almost last to first in thrilling style.

Then Reignier underlined his ability with a fine second in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot. Burke says that the 6f Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gimcrack Stakes could be ‘on the agenda’ for the pair. “They have both performed very well and are very progressive,” he commented.

Speaking specifically about Corporal Maddox’s late charge in the Woodcote Stakes, Burke said: “It wasn’t the plan to be so far back, but they went so quick that we had no choice but to settle towards the rear. He’d always shown a good turn of foot at home and thankfully produced it on that day as well.

“He came out of the race in good form and could go to France this weekend (for the Prix du Bois at Chantilly) or the July Stakes (Newmarket) next week, but nothing is set in stone.”

Reignier was a largely unconsidered 50/1 outsider in the Norfolk Stakes but ran a huge race, only finding Radiohead too good. But Burke wasn’t totally surprised that his charge put up a bold show.

He said: “I was expecting him to show something. He’d previously come second to Capercaillie, who then ran really well to finish fourth in the Queen Mary Stakes.

“Reignier is still growing. He will improve for stepping up in trip - he’s not just a five-furlong horse.”

Burke has also entered an unraced colt by Harlan’s Holiday called Palio Square.

The trainer said: “He is a very nice horse although six furlongs could possibly be on the sharp side for him. But he is working very well and is a horse I like a lot.”

The highly-exciting Canford Cliffs is also among the entry. He scorched to an emphatic six-length triumph in the Coventry Stakes for trainer Richard Hannon. Leading them home behind the son of Tagula was Xtension, who has also been entered in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gimcrack Stakes.
 
He did his best work towards the close of the Group 2 at the Royal Meeting and trainer Clive Cox hinted that Xtension could be stepped up to seven furlongs sooner rather than later.

He said: “He won his maiden well at Goodwood in May and then we were very pleased with his performance at Ascot. He just got a bit outpaced in the early stages but then came home very strongly indeed, so we are probably inclined to look at seven furlongs in the future, but with a horse of his calibre we are keeping our options open.

“He is undoubtedly a Group-level performer as he has proved. We believe him to be a very high-class colt.”

There are five Brian Meehan-trained horses among the entry, including impressive Norfolk Stakes winner Radiohead - also entered in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes - and Coventry Stakes third Rakaan.

Among trainer Aidan O’Brien’s seven-strong entry is Alfred Nobel, who scored in the Group 2 Railway Stakes at The Curragh last Sunday. Middleham-based trainer Mark Johnston, who won last year’s renewal with Shaweel, has nominated a quintet of  horses at the initial stage.

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