York Racecourse

Promising Poet's Voice set for Group 3 test

SIMON CRISFORD OUTLINES GODOLPHIN’S EBOR FESTIVAL PLANS

GODOLPHIN are likely to run two very exciting juvenile prospects in the shape of Poet’s Voice and Vale Of York on the opening day of the Ebor Festival.

Trainer Saeed Bin Suroor currently has four entered in the Group 3 ‘Watch the last 2 races on Racing UK’ Acomb Stakes but it appears as if Poet’s Voice and Vale Of York will line up in the 7f contest, staged on Tuesday, August 18.

In outlining running plans for next week at York, Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford gave a positive bulletin about both colts, who were impressive winners on their respective last starts.

The once-raced Vale Of York, a son of Invincible Spirit, won by two and a quarter lengths over course and distance last month, while Poet’s Voice bolted up by no less than 10 lengths in a novice stakes at Newmarket two weeks ago to take a prominent position in next year’s 2000 Guineas betting.

Crisford said: “Our two most likely runners in the Acomb Stakes are Poet’s Voice and Vale Of York.

“Poet’s Voice won well at Newmarket and he has gone forward since then. We are very pleased with him and want to see him at this level before making any future plans, but his run at Newmarket promised enough to suggest he can be competitive.

“Vale Of York really pleased us when he won at York. It was the manner of the victory that delighted us. Since then we have been looking at this race as his next start.”

Those who follow the name of a horse when placing their bets will register the geographic link to one runner and notice that Tuesday will see the publication of the first stanza of  “A tribute to the Ebor Festival” a poem by Ian McMillan, the official poet to Yorkshire Racecourse.

Continuing to outline plans, Simon Crisford also indicated that Mastery is on schedule to take his place in the field for next Tuesday’s Ladbrokes Great Voltigeur Stakes, the £140,000 Group 2 over 1m 4f.

The Italian Derby winner has run consistently well all season, not least when he was third in the Group 1 Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris a month ago.

Crisford said: “Mastery is being aimed at the Great Voltigeur and we are looking forward to seeing him run.

“He hasn’t been out since his good run in the Grand Prix de Paris and another big effort will be required from him in the Great Voltigeur.”

Schiaparelli proved himself a high-class stayer when landing the Goodwood Cup last month and the six-year-old is all set to compete again at Group 2 level with next Wednesday’s Weatherbys Insurance Lonsdale Cup as his latest objective.

Crisford said: “At Goodwood, the ground was right and everything fell into place. He suffered from a foot problem in the past and so raced quite rarely. Happily, that issue is behind him now but he definitely appreciates a bit of give. He has done very well since his Goodwood win.”

Godolphin’s totesport Ebor hope Covert Ambition is another who doesn’t mind a bit of juice in the ground, according to Crisford.

So far, the Singspiel colt, who is set to carry top weight of 9st 9lb in the race, has yet to race over further than 1m 2f, but connections are not worried about the step up to 1m 6f in the renowned £210,000 heritage handicap.

Crisford said: “We have wanted to run him over further but the ground has never been right for him – he definitely benefits from a bit of cut. The trip would not be a concern. The big issue is the weight burden he would be asked to carry.”

Crisford added: “For Friday, we will have a look at the (Sky Bet) Strensall Stakes for Spring Of Fame and Donativum. Then in the (Sky Bet) City Of York Stakes Huntdown is a possible and so is Ancien Regime.”

 

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