David Morgan
The G1 Sussex Stakes is not only the standout feature of day two at Goodwood but also one of English racing’s annual high points: a race that has been won by some of the all-time greats, not least Brigadier Gerard, and, more recently, the mighty Frankel whose billed ‘duel on the downs’ with Canford Cliffs proved to be a one-sided power play.
Frankel wore the famous Juddmonte silks and Field Of Gold will carry the same colours in the Group 1 mile when he moves into all-age competition for the first time and attempts to take another step towards championship honours. The grey will be a hot favourite to win after his impressive defeat of the French Guineas winner Henri Matisse at Ascot last time: the Ballydolye runner will aim to show he’s better than that.
Since the race was opened to the full range of older horses in 1975, the three-year-olds have taken advantage of weight-for-age to win 33 times against 17 wins for horses aged four and up. This year’s older crew features Rosallion, like Canford Cliffs, a horse from the Hannon stable.
Rosallion suffered defeat in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes last month when barely a nose second to the re-opposing Docklands. There is a suspicion Rosallion thought he had done enough when he got to the lead at Ascot, so perhaps a late, late swoop might be on the cards this time. The American/Australian raider Carl Spackler could improve for his first experience of British racing in that Ascot contest.
Meanwhile, Karl Burke’s yard is having another run of hot form and that bodes well for Wathnan Racing’s well-touted Zelaina, who showed a lot of dash in the G2 Queen Mary at Royal Ascot second-up, only to fade out to eighth. Goodwood’s downhill run in this afternoon’s five-furlong conditions race should be right up the filly’s street.
NAP: R2 #14 Tabiti
Andrew Hawkins
The G3 Molecomb Stakes won’t get “bigger” this year but the juvenile affair looks likely to throw up another nice sprinter to match winners like Fleeting Spirit, Kachy and Havana Grey.
The five-furlong event for two-year-olds has been won by Paul Teasdale’s RP Racing and Michael Appleby the last two years with G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner Big Evs and G1 July Cup runner-up Big Mojo.
Appleby’s namesake Charlie – no relation – saddles up Military Code, a Wootton Bassett colt who brings strong short course form with two wins and a second at five furlongs. The only aberration among his four starts came when he stepped up in trip and finished a long way off Gstaad in the G2 Coventry Stakes.
To take the prize, though, he’ll need to overcome speedy Irish filly Lady Iman as she drops back in trip. A winner of her first three starts with form ties through horses like True Love, she was outgunned over six furlongs in a Group 2 at The Curragh last time out. This looks an ideal next assignment for her.
Argentine Tango is another worth watching for North Yorkshire trainer Tim Easterby. She is the most experienced horse in the field and she returns to five furlongs after two runs over the six furlongs, including a last-start third at Group 2 level behind the impressive Venetian Sun. Unlike Lady Iman, she doesn’t have a penalty which means that every other horse is conceding weight to her. ∎
NAP: R5 #6 Wisper
