The Lincoln Heritage Handicap at Doncaster on Saturday is the traditional start to the British Flat racing season.
With the Classic’s starting at Newmarket just over a month later, it’s always worthwhile to consider any feedback from the master of Ballydoyle, Aidan O’Brien.
Ryan Moore and O’Brien were successful in the Gr1 Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan over the weekend with their seven-year-old Broome, and the stable had two more winners at Naas on Sunday.
These early season victories suggest that Ballydoyle could be more forward than usual this season.
Aidan O’Brien and Auguste Rodin (Pic- Healy Racing / Racing TV)
Aidan O’Brien was very positive on his leading three-year-old prospects Little Big Bear and Auguste Rodin after their public post-racing gallops at the Curragh over the weekend. The two colts share favouritism in the ante-post market for the 2000 Guineas.
Auguste Rodin signed off last term with victory in the Gr1 Vertem Futurity Trophy over a mile at Doncaster, while Little Big Bear was an effortless six-length winner in the six-furlong Gr1 Phoenix Stakes on his final start of the campaign at the Curragh in August.
Speaking to the press on Monday morning, O’Brien said: “We’re very happy with Auguste Rodin. What he did at the Curragh was very good, following a three-year-old sprinter. We were very happy with that.”
“I think they are the main two for Newmarket, then the lads will have to decide whether to let the two of them run together or split them up. They are the two that will be trained for Newmarket, that makes sense.”
O’Brien thinks Little Big Bear will get a mile, although he has yet to try a trip in excess of six furlongs, but Auguste Rodin is expected to improve over further in time.
He added: “I suppose Little Big Bear would be very comfortable and happy to go back sprinting, but I think there’s a good chance he will get a mile. He races very relaxed.”
“You’d imagine Auguste Rodin will go better stretching out to a mile and a quarter or a mile and a half. He’s that type of horse that could get any trip in time.”
Another very much in the mix is Victoria Road, winner of the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. He looks to be aimed at France for the French 2000 Guineas and Derby.
Doncaster Racecourse (Pic – Doncaster Racecourse)
Meditate look likely to spearhead the stable’s 1000 Guineas challenge this year after unbeaten stable companion Statuette was ruled out of a springtime start.
O’Brien commented: “Statuette has had a little bit of a hold up and I don’t think she’s going to make the Guineas.”
Instead, Meditate is set to fly the flag after pleasing O’Brien in Saturday’s racecourse gallop.
Placed twice in Group One company last summer, the daughter of No Nay Never, graduated to Group 1 success in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.
O’Brien confirmed: “The plan is to go straight to Newmarket with her. She’s a very professional filly, she’s not over big but she’s strong. We were very happy with her on Saturday.”
