RacingBetter News
	Monday 23rd May 2022

Where Next for Irish 2,000 Guineas Winner Native Trail?

Native Trail joined his stablemates Coroebus and Modern Games by becoming a Classic winner when he prevailed in the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh. He was able to go one place better than his runner-up finish at Newmarket earlier in the campaign.

Charlie Appleby’s runner had too much speed for his rivals in the closing stages of the Irish race. He finished ahead of New Energy and Imperial Fighter, who chased the colt home in second and third place respectively.
The Irish 2,000 Guineas winner has an entry in the St James’s Palace Stakes, where he has odds of 4/1 in the horse racing betting. If he does line up at Royal Ascot, he could take on Coroebus, the horse who finished less than a length ahead of him at Newmarket. The 2,000 Guineas winner is the odds-on favourite at 4/6.

Native Trail is also entered in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown in July. This would require the son of Oasis Dream to step up to 1m2f for the first time. The prestigious Flat race may include champion miler Baaeed, last year’s Derby winner Adayar and globe-trotting star Mishriff.

Appleby has said he will try to keep his Guineas winners apart the best he can, however, he may not be able to do that all summer. There are only a limited number of 1m and 1m2f races at the highest level, so they could meet again before the year is out.

Native Trail May Still End Season as Leading Three-Year-Old

After a fantastic campaign on the track in 2021, Native Trail was named the Cartier Champion Two-Year-Old. He could once again be in contention for the leading prizes at the end of this season.

The Godolphin-owned colt won the Superlative Stakes, National Stakes and Dewhurst Stakes in his two-year-old campaign. A lot was expected from him in his Classic season. The defeat at Newmarket is unlikely to dent his reputation.

In order to finish the season as the best of his generation, Native Trail may need to have success against the older horses later this year. The Juddmonte International at York is a possibility for the Classic winner, while a trip across to the Breeders’ Cup Meeting in the United States in November cannot be ruled out.

The results of the Oaks and Derby could have a big impact on who finishes at the top of the three-year-old standings. Emily Upjohn goes into the fillies’ race at Epsom with an unbeaten record and a big reputation. John and Thady Gosden’s runner has been described as “special” by her jockey Frankie Dettori.

The Derby features Desert Crown from Sir Michael Stoute’s yard. The colt has elevated his trainer back into the spotlight, with two impressive performances in his career, including a victory in the Dante Stakes. If he builds upon that with victory in the Derby, his reputation will be enhanced even further.

Native Trail is a horse who is going to take some beating in all the races he lines up in this season. His best may still be ahead of him, which is why he remains one of the most exciting colts of his age group.