Thursday 10th June 2010
Showcasing enjoys July Course workout
SHOWCASING looked on good terms with himself working under William Buick on the July Course this morning.
The John Gosden-trained three-year-old stretched out nicely with one other and has two Global Sprint Challenge targets looming.
Last year's Gimcrack Stakes winner is on schedule for June 19's Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot and Gosden indicated that he would also be keen for Showcasing to take his chance in the Darley July Cup.
Gosden, who won the Darley July Cup with the sire of Showcasing, Oasis Dream, said: “I was pleased with his work this morning and like his father he is very laid back.
“He was not fully tuned up for his run in the Duke Of York (in which he was second) and that showed in the last 50 yards but he picked up his lead horse very easily this morning and quickened clear. When he hits the front he does tend to lack concentration - like in the Gimcrack.
“He should strip much fitter next week but it is hard for three-year-old sprinters to take on older horses. Oasis Dream managed it and I hope Showcasing can too.
“If he ran a big race at Ascot the game plan would be to run in the Darley July Cup.”
Also in action on the July Course this morning was the Rae Guest-trained filly, Serious Attitude who is also headed to the Golden Jubilee before on to the Darley July Cup.
The daughter of Mtoto looked in good form when working under Ted Durcan with another sprinter from Guest’s yard.
Connections are hoping that she has come on for her seasonal reappearance when she was second in a Listed race at Nottingham and can run well against the world’s leading speedsters.
Guest said: “She’s older and stronger this year and six (furlongs) is the perfect trip for her. We would love to run in the Darley July Cup but Royal Ascot is our first goal.”
Once again there looks to be a strong international challenge for both the King’s Stand and the Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot and some of those horses are likely to remain in the UK for the Darley July Cup, the third British leg of the Global Sprint Challenge.
Australian trainer, David Hayes is responsible for King’s Stand favourite, Nicconi.
He said: “If he won well at Royal Ascot we would certainly consider the Darley July Cup.
“The Aussies have tended to bum-out by the race but when Nicconi runs well he’s very hard to beat.”
Fellow Australian Paul Messara is hoping that his filly Alverta will also make the line up for the Darley July Cup.
He added: “She goes to the Golden Jubilee first but the plan is to stay for the July Cup as the gruelling 1200m will suit, especially the steep final half a furlong.”
America’s challenge is likely to come from Carl O’Callaghan’s Kinsale King.
The five-year-old claimed the scalp on Rocket Man when winning the Golden Shaheen in Dubai and he too is an intended runner at Newmarket.
