Saturday sees the running of the final Group 1 of the British flat season – the Kameko Futurity Trophy.
Run at Doncaster over the straight mile it is an informative contest for the following season’s Classic’s with all of Magna Grecia, Kameko and Auguste Rodin going on to glory in their respective three-year-old career’s.
Diego Velazquez leads the charge at Leopardstown (Pic – Racing TV)
Exciting Diego Velazquez leads the pack at Leopardstown (Pic – Racing TV)With Ryan Moore banned for five days after his ride in the Oh So Sharp at Newmarket, James Doyle has been booked for the plum ride on the Ballydoyle trained favourite Diego Velazquez.
A £2.5m purchase, the son of Frankel is unbeaten in two starts and is very highly regarded by his stable.
He is one of five declared by the Irish Champion trainer out of the 11 possibles. They also have Battle Cry, Chief Little Rock, Capulet, and Henry Adams engaged.
James Doyle has tasted Group 1 success with Ballydoyle this season aboard Warm Heart in the Yorkshire Oaks and Prix Vermeille. With Frankie gone to Hollywood, Doyle got the nod.
“Diego Velazquez looks the main one for the Futurity Trophy on Saturday,” said O’Brien.
“We are very happy with him since his last run and James Doyle has been booked for him. We will probably run one other horse in the race, and we are looking forward to it.”
James Doyle and Aidan O’Brien have been effective together! (Pic – Racing TV)
Charlie Appleby and Godolphin supplemented impressive Gr3 Autumn Stakes winner Ancient Wisdom (£17,500) as expected after he pleased in a weekend workout at Newmarket.
Appleby said: “He has come out of that piece of work in good shape, so we were keen to supplement this morning. The ground is looking like it will be soft at Doncaster, and I feel like he is going to be a very strong contender.”
Roger Teal is looking forward to taking on the big guns with Dancing Gemini, who followed up a Newbury maiden win by romping away with the Listed Flying Scotsman Stakes on Town Moor.
“Everything seems spot on with him and it’s all good at this stage,” said the Lambourn trainer. “He was very impressive at Doncaster last time and we’re looking forward to giving it a go. I think the mile will suit him, as he certainly wasn’t stopping there over seven furlongs.”
John and Thady Gosden could be represented by debut winner God’s Window, a course and distance winner on soft ground who got the better of Ben Brookhouse’s Redhot Whisper, who could reoppose.
God’s Window is owned by Cayton Park Stud, and Drakenstein Stud in the Western Cape.
