Art impresses ahead of 2000 Guineas
Tuesday 1st May, 2007
Dutch Art on the Newmarket gallops. Picture Mandy Davis
STAN James 2000 Guineas contender Dutch Art showed his well-being this morning when he covered six furlongs of the Al Bahathri in good style.
The chestnut colt endured the first reverse of his career last month when he was forced to play second fiddle to Major Cadeaux in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury.
But his trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam maintained before the Group 3 that Dutch Art wasn’t cherry ripe at that point.
A 14-1 chance with the sponsors for this Saturday’s classic, Dutch Art has clearly benefited for the run. He looked in grand order when Adrian McCarthy rode him in a pipe-opener earlier today.
Led by a fellow three-year-old, Dutch Icon answered his rider’s urgings and sped clear without fuss.
Trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam said: “I am very happy with Dutch Art. He went well in his routine work this morning and everything is going according to plan. He is very much on course for taking his place in the Guineas.”
Another intended 2000 Guineas runner to put his best foot forward earlier today was Tobosa. The 33-1 shot had his big-race jockey Philip Robinson on board for the first time.
Meanwhile, the going on the NatWest Rowley Mile ahead of the Stan James Guineas Festival remains good-to-firm (watering) after the application of 10mm of water over the last 36 hours.
Michael Prosser, director of racing for Newmarket Racecourses, said: "The watering on Monday and this morning has maintained the status quo.
“But given the wind and high temperatures that are forecast for the remainder of this week, we have now decided to water again tomorrow and on Friday so that we can achieve our aim of starting the meeting on Saturday just on the good side of good-to-firm. Six millimetres will be applied tomorrow and a decision on Friday's volume will be taken nearer the time."
By Tony Rushmer