Wednesday 18th April 2007
All set for a cracking Craven renewal
Adagio trained by Sir Michael Stoute
SOME of the biggest names in racing are set to be represented in what should be a choice renewal of the £50,000 banshahousestables.com Craven Stakes on April 19. The Group 3 is a recognised trial for the Stan James 2,000 Guineas and only three years ago Haafhd used it as a stepping stone to classic glory back on the Rowley Mile.
For the 2007 running of the mile-long contest, nine runners have been declared with the respective reigning English and Irish champion trainers Sir Michael Stoute and Aidan O’Brien both sending one. Stoute will saddle Adagio, last seen in action six months ago when beaten only four-and-a-half lengths in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket. That was just the second start of the Grand Lodge colt’s career and there is likely to be more to come from a horse who holds a Stan James 2,000 Guineas entry.
O’Brien relies on Brave Tin Soldier, already a Listed winner and now seeking Group success.
John Gosden’s team have made a bright start to the 2007 season and Broghill will seek to provide them with a first Group win of the year. He broke his maiden at the track last September before running third in a hot conditions event at Ascot. Gosden assessed: “Broghill is in good form and has been going nicely,” outlines Gosden. “I’ve been happy with the horse. He should handle top of the ground and is very much an improving type. “He has done well through the winter and filled out well. I wouldn’t be frightened at some stage of stepping him up in trip.”
Fellow Newmarket trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam will field Striving Storm, third in the Horris Hill Stakes last October. Chapple-Hyam said: “I’ve been pleased with his work this spring and he has improved from two to three. “The Craven will hopefully be a stepping stone towards the German 2,000 Guineas and, further down the line, the French Derby. “Perhaps we would have liked the ground to have been a little bit easier but you can’t have everything!”
As mentioned, Barry Hills plotted the Craven-2,000 Guineas route most successfully with Haafhd and his charge Thousand Words is entitled to plenty of respect. The Dansili colt shaped with real promise when scoring on the Rowley Mile course in the Group 3 Somerville Tattersall Stakes last September.
Big Robert, He’s A Decoy, Sonny Red and Teslin make up the field.
The other big race on the card is the Group 3 Weatherbys Earl Of Sefton Stakes, while the Listed Federation Of Bloodstock Agents Abernant Stakes will showcase the talents of some smart sprinters.
Written by Tony Rushmer
