Wednesday 24th September 2008
Balding improver set for Challenge
Kalahari Gold - already twice successful at Newmarket
PROGRESSIVE Kalahari Gold is among a 49-strong entry for the Group 2 Victor Chandler Challenge Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday, October 18 - Champions’ Day.
A winner of four of his five starts, the three-year-old was twice successful over seven furlongs of the Newmarket July Course in the space of a week in August, landing the HSS Training Handicap on August 2 by six lengths and the valuable Soccer Saturday Super 6 Handicap seven days later.
On his most recent start, Kalahari Gold was an impressive winner of the Listed Dubai Duty Free Cup at Newbury, beating Godolphin’s smart Il Warrd and the Richard Hannon-trained Ordnance Row by a length and a quarter and two and a half lengths respectively. Also behind were Sharp Nephew, Captain Marvelous and Mac Love.
"Kalahari Gold came out of his race at Newbury fine and the intention is to run him in the Victor Chandler Challenge Stakes at Newmarket on Champions’ Day," said Balding.
"I was really pleased with his run on Friday - he quickened up really well and did it nicely. He’s improved all season and is developing into a smart horse."
Meanwhile, on the same card, the inaugural 12-furlong Group Two Pride Stakes, named after the mare who landed the 2006 renewal of the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes, has received a top-class entry of 37, headed by St Leger runner-up Unsung Heroine.
Trainer Tommy Stack has already indicated that the lightly-raced filly is likely to finish up her season at Newmarket and she could re-oppose St Leger third and Oaks winner Look Here.
