racing news/

Kalahari Gold Can Progress for Next Challenge at Newmarket
24/09/08

Two £100,000 Group Two contests on The NatWest Rowley Mile on Saturday, October 18, Champions’ Day, have both received tremendous entries.

The Group Two Victor Chandler Challenge Stakes over seven furlongs has attracted 49 entries, including the Andrew Balding-trained Kalahari Gold, a progressive son of Trans Island.

A winner of four of his five starts, the three-year-old was twice successful over seven furlongs of the Newmarket July Course in the space of a week in August, landing the HSS Training Handicap on August 2 by six lengths and the valuable Soccer Saturday Super 6 Handicap seven days later.

On his most recent start, Kalahari Gold was an impressive winner of the Listed Dubai Duty Free Cup at Newbury on September 19, beating Godolphin’s smart Il Warrd and the Richard Hannon-trained Ordnance Row by a length and a quarter and two and a half lengths respectively. Also behind were Sharp Nephew, Captain Marvelous and Mac Love.

“Kalahari Gold came out of his race at Newbury fine and the intention is to run him in the Victor Chandler Challenge Stakes at Newmarket on Champions’ Day,” said Balding.

“I was really pleased with his run on Friday - he quickened up really well and did it nicely. He’s improved all season and is developing into a smart horse.”

Aidan O’Brien is responsible for five of the nine Irish-trained entries, headed by last year’s French 2,000 Guineas winner Astronomer Royal, while the other Irish entrants include the Eddie Lynam-trained Duff. Debut winner Three Rocks is an interesting entry from the stable of Jim Bolger.

Hannon has also entered Group Two winners Major Cadeaux and Paco Boy, while Sir Michael Stoute has the Victor Chandler Challenge Stakes as an option for both Visit and Perfect Stride. Other notable entries include the Peter Chapple-Hyam duo of Winker Watson and last year’s runner-up Al Qasi, along with the John Gosden-trained Racer Forever.

Arabian Gleam, who won his second successive Park Stakes at Doncaster earlier this month, is one of four entries from Newmarket trainer Jeremy Noseda - the others being recent Goodwood Group Three winner Express Wish, last year’s Group One Shadwell Middle Park Stakes runner-up Strike The Deal and Perfect Polly, unbeaten this year.

Saeed bin Suroor, the Godolphin trainer, has five others besides Il Warrd - Asset, Dijeerr, Alexandros, Calming Influence and Fateh Field.

Meanwhile, the inaugural 12-furlong Group Two Pride Stakes, named after the mare who landed the 2006 renewal of the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes, has received a top-class entry of 37, headed by St Leger runner-up Unsung Heroine.

Trainer Tommy Stack has already indicated that the lightly-raced filly is likely to finish up her season at Newmarket and she could re-oppose St Leger third and Oaks winner Look Here.

O’Brien is responsible for the majority of the 11 other Irish-trained entries, with 10 hailing for his Ballydoyle base, including Group Three winner Adored and Cheshire Oaks heroine Sail.

The Michael Halford-trained Group Three winner Nick’s Nikita completes the potential overseas raiding party along with Yves De Nicolay’s French challenger Top Toss, a winner of a Group Three on her latest start.

The home team is also strongly represented, with the John Gosden-trained pair of Dar Re Mi and Michita, who filled second and fourth respectively in the Group One Qatar Prix Vermeille on September 14, entered. The eighth Folk Opera, from the Godolphin team, is also among the 37 entries.