RacingBetter News
	Friday 13th August 2021

Hurricane Lane Looks Set for St Leger

The final British Classic of the season, the St Leger at Doncaster, looks the next target for Hurricane Lane as he looks to build on what has been an impressive season for the three-year-old so far.

Charlie Appleby’s runner is already a Classic winner as he prevailed in the Irish Derby at the Curragh, but a victory in the UK will ensure he is considered one of the best of his generation.

The son of Frankel has looked better with every start this season. He was, however, unable to score at Epsom in the Derby as he had to settle for third place behind Adayar and Mojo Star respectively.

Just weeks later he came home with a powerful run in the Irish Classic, while, on his most recent outing, he blew a strong Group One field away at Longchamp by six lengths.

Rather than feature at the Ebor Festival in the Juddmonte International to take on French Derby winner St Mark’s Basilica who has Ebor odds of 5/4 for that race, he is set to be rested for the St Leger. A step up to 1m6f should not be a problem for the horse on the evidence of his latest run.

Depending on how the race goes at Doncaster, Hurricane Lane may be back at the 1m4f trip for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in October. A clash with Oaks winner Snowfall, St Marks Basilica and Tarnawa could come in Paris in what is set to be a fascinating race.

Appleby Looking for Maiden St Leger Success

It has been a huge season already for Appleby who won the Derby and King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes with Adayar. He has yet to land the St Leger, so victory at Doncaster would be another first for the trainer.

Hurricane Lane carries the blue silks of Godolphin who do have a good record in the 1m6f contest. They have won the race six times and if their latest colt is victorious, it will see them level the record as the leading owner which is currently held by Archibald Hamilton with seven wins.
Godolphin first won the St Leger in 1995 with Classic Cliche. Their most recent success came in 2012 when Encke scored, preventing Camelot from landing the Triple Crown.

Opposition to Hurricane Lane in St Leger Could Include Adayar

One of the horses Hurricane Lane could face at Doncaster is his stablemate Adayar. It would be the first time the two have met on the racecourse since they both hit the placings in the Derby.

Appleby has refused to rule out the prospect of the two horses both lining up at Epsom. The last horse to do the Derby and St Leger double was Reference Point in 1987. Few have even attempted to complete that Classic double since.

Lone Eagle, who was second to Hurricane Lane at the Curragh in the Irish Derby, is likely to also have a shot at the St Leger. His connections will be hoping they can reverse the form with Appleby’s runner.

The 2021 St Leger is set to take place on the 11th of September in what could be one of the best renewals of the race in many years.