New Approach on target for 200th running of the 2000 Guineas
Monday 21st April, 2008
New Approach galloping this morning. Picture by Dan Abraham
Stan James cut Bolger star to 9/4
NEW APPROACH underlined his well-being at trainer Jim Bolger’s Glebe House base this morning to confirm he is on course for a shot at the 200th running of Newmarket’s 2000 Guineas, sponsored by Stan JamesUK.
The unbeaten Galileo colt, a dazzling winner of five races as a two-year-old, enjoyed routine work in company with his regular companion Metamorphosis.
At a media morning, Bolger exercised 30 of his charges including last year’s stanjamesuk.com 1000 Guineas winner Finsceal Beo and two-time Group 1 winner Saoirse Abu.
But the undoubted star attraction was New Approach, who looked a picture as he stretched out in three short pipe-openers.
The big-race sponsors were impressed and cut him to 9/4 (from 11/4) for Saturday May 3’s Classic encounter on The NatWest Rowley Mile.
“I am very happy with New Approach - he is well on target for the Guineas,” said Bolger before providing a ringing endorsement of the horse’s attributes.
“He has a marvellous constitution, is a very sound horse and is well related. He was the champion two-year-old. Everything about him suggests he is a bit exceptional.”
The trainer, who relishes competition at the highest level, took an interest in the recent trials but is focussed on the performance of his market leader not his big-race rivals.
“There’s lots of nice three-year-olds out there but apart from taking an interest from a racing aficionado’s point of view, I’ve not overly concerned myself with any one of them.
“Fear doesn’t enter into it but I respect them all and I’m sure they will be hard to beat. But what I will be mainly concerning myself with is turning out our horse in good shape on the day.”
Bolger, who also indicated that New Approach’s early-season campaign is likely to take in both the stanjamesuk.com 2000 Guineas and its Irish equivalent and then the Irish Derby, will continue to be ponied at the races by stable-mate Metamorphosis.
“The only reason that we sent a pony with him is that he was a little bit strong on one occasion at The Curragh,” explained Bolger. “Kevin (Manning) suggested we use a pony - it worked fine and is a successful formula and we don’t intend to change it.”
By Tony Rushmer