Wednesday 5th August 2009
Star-studded entry for Darley Dewhurst Stakes
THE Clive Cox-trained colt Xtension is among 145 horses entered for the £300,000 Darley Dewhurst Stakes, run over seven furlongs for two-year-olds on Champions’ Day at Newmarket, Saturday, October 17.
Xtension justified favouritism to win the seven-furlong Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood on his latest start, having previously chased home Canford Cliffs in the six-furlong Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The son of Xaar could bid to follow in the footsteps of recent Darley Dewhurst Stakes victors Shamardal (2004) and Sir Percy (2005), who both landed the Goodwood contest en route to victory on the Rowley Mile.
Connections see the Group 1 – worth a record £300,000 this year - as a likely target for Xtension.
Cox revealed today: “We were very pleased with Xtension’s Group 2 success last week at Goodwood and the Darley Dewhurst is the logical step to take.
“I was delighted with the way he won. He’s a very progressive, scopey horse and we are very much campaigning him with next year’s 2000 Guineas in mind. With a Group 2 penalty now, this is the natural route for the horse and very much the plan.
“We are in the fast lane with him but we are delighted that he has confirmed his early promise and pleased with the progress he has made.”
Xtension could renew rivalry with the Hannon-trained Canford Cliffs, who was a six-length victor of the Coventry Stakes, while the same trainer has also entered the unbeaten Dick Turpin. The last-named landed the Group Two Richmond Stakes at Goodwood from Godolphin’s Buzzword.
Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor has engaged nine horses in total, including progressive Goodwood nursery winner Black Snowflake, York maiden winners Vale of York and Emirates Dream, as well as Newmarket victor Poet’s Voice.
French master trainer Andre Fabre has won the Dewhurst Stakes previously with Zafonic (1992), Pennekamp (1994) and Xaar (1997). He has entered five horses headed by Group 3 Prix de Cabourg winner Zanzibari, as well as Listed winner Colonial.
Jim Bolger has carried the past three Darley Dewhurst Stakes trophies back to Ireland thanks to champion two-year-olds Teofilo (2006) and New Approach (2007), who were followed to victory by the 2008 winner Intense Focus.
Bolger has entered nine unknown quantities this time with six of them yet to make their racecourse debut. The entry includes Soldier Of Fortune’s half-brother Carraiglawn, his close relative Rock Medley, Curragh maiden runner-up Reiteration and Shintoh, a half-brother to Group 1 winners War Chant and Ivan Denisovich, who was fourth on his only start in a hot Curragh maiden in June.
Ballydoyle trainer Aidan O’Brien took the prize with Rock Of Gibraltar in 2001 and has a powerful contingent. His 37-strong entry is headed by Alfred Nobel, who defeated stablemate Air Chief Marshal to win the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh on July 26.
O’Brien has also engaged unbeaten Group 3 Tyros Stakes hero Cape Blanco, impressive Naas maiden winners Await The Dawn and Steinbeck, Phoenix Stakes fifth Beethoven, Leopardstown victor Viscount Nelson, Galway Nursery winner Black Quartz, Alexandrova’s unraced full-brother Clearwater Bay and Rain Forest, an unraced three-parts brother to Fame And Glory.
