Friday 20th April 2007
Go Dutch
Dutch Art pictured above won the Shadwell Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket in September 2006.
DUTCH ART takes an important step down the line towards his Stan James 2000 Guineas bid when he tackles the Greenham Stakes at Newbury on April 21. The Medicean colt was one of the leading two-year-olds of 2006, remaining unbeaten after four races.
He capped a superb season with victory at Newmarket in the Middle Park Stakes - his second success at Group 1 level. Trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam has been pleased with how Dutch Art has wintered but the Newbury Group 3 should go some way to clarifying his stamina.
Dutch Art has shown such speed in his races that questions have been asked about his ability to see out the mile of the 2000 Guineas. But Chapple-Hyam is confident his charge - the 4-1 second favourite for the first classic of the season on May 5 - will stay the trip.
As for the Greenham, Dutch Art will be joined in the race by fellow Guineas entry and stable-mate Tariq, who was third in the Coventry Stakes before injury curtailed his season.
Chapple-Hyam said: “Dutch Art is in very good form and I can’t wait to run him. We have no worries about the likely fast ground and the seven furlongs should be no trouble for him.
“Tariq has been working exceptionally well this spring .Obviously this is his first run since the Coventry and he is entitled to be a little ring rusty. He won’t mind the ground, either.”
Fellow 2000 Guineas entries Major Cadeaux, Halicarnassus, Mastership and Captain Marvelous are also in action, while Yazamaan completes the seven-strong field.
The fillies go on trial at Newbury as well, with 13 taking their place in the Group 3 Fred Darling Stakes. Marlborough trainer Richard Hannon will find out how Indian Ink has progressed from two to three, while John Dunlop - successful with Scarlet Runner in the Shadwell Nell Gwyn - is aiming to strengthen his hand for the Stan James 1000 Guineas with Wid. Lowther Stakes winner Silk Blossom represents the powerful Barry Hills team and Marco Botti unleashes his stable star - last year’s Prestige Stakes’ winner - Sesmen.
Written By Tony Rushmer
