Gosden parades stars as trials beckon
Thursday 10th April, 2008
Raven's Pass gallops on Newmarket's Warren Hill. Picture by Emma Berry.
JOHN GOSDEN this morning confirmed that Raven’s Pass will go on trial ahead of a shot at next month’s stanjamesuk.com 2000 Guineas.
The Newmarket-based trainer showcased his string - including the son of Elusive Quality - as part of a press morning to promote the stanjamesuk.com Guineas Festival.
Gosden exercised a large number of horses at first lot on Warren Hill before adjourning to his Clarehaven Stables to outline prospects.
He said: “Raven’s Pass could run in either the Craven or Greenham - we’ll just see which race we would prefer to go to.
“I’m happy with the horse and I couldn’t be more pleased with how he has done physically
“I wouldn’t like to wait until May to run him because he is very exuberant. He likes to express himself and from that point of view he is better having a trial race in a Group 3. It’s something that will just help him on the road.”
Raven’s Pass, 11/2 with Stan James for the 2000 Guineas, was a brilliant seven-length winner of the Solario Stakes before finding underfoot ease against him in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes in which he finished third to New Approach, the 5/2 sponsor’s favourite for the first Classic of the year.
But Gosden certainly isn’t anxious about once again lining up against the Irish-based horse on Saturday May 3 on The NatWest Rowley Mile.
He said: I’d like to take him on good ground or good to firm ground. Raven’s Pass is by Elusive Quality and is a fast ground horse.
“When he canters or trots, he doesn’t bend his knee - he just flicks. He is a real top of the ground horse.”
Gosden also mentioned that there is a decent chance of him being double-handed for the stanjamesuk.com 1000 Guineas on Sunday May 4.
Sense Of Joy, unbeaten after two starts, is scheduled to head straight to the fillies’ Classic, while debut scorer Infallible will contest a recognised trial before being committed to the race.
He added: “The hope is that we’ll have two runners in the 1000 Guineas - Infallible and Sense Of Joy.
“Sense Of Joy will go straight to the Guineas. Her coat hasn’t quite come yet. Understandably, she is not sure whether it is still winter or spring. I think if I give her that extra time, it will suit her but she is a nice filly.
“Infallible will be given entries in the Nell Gwyn and the Fred Darling. Jimmy (Fortune) worked her yesterday and was very pleased with her.”
Tony Rushmer