It’s another stellar weekend of racing, with the Group One Lockinge Stakes at Newbury the highlight on Saturday afternoon.
Just a day later, all eyes will be on Longchamp for the French Guineas where there is UK interest in both of those races.
Champion Miler Baaeed Makes Seasonal Reappearance in Lockinge
The Lockinge Stakes at Newbury is the first chance to see last season’s champion miler, Baaeed, in action in 2022.
William Haggas’ runner won all six of his appearances last season, with the last of those wins coming on British Champions Day, where he got the better of Palace Pier in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
Baaeed has proved himself at the highest level on more than one occasion now. The four-year-old travelled to France last September to land the Group One Prix du Moulin de Longchamp.
The son of Sea The Stars is set to meet last season’s 1,000 Guineas winner Mother Earth at Newbury.
The race will also include Alcohol Free, a filly who was successful in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. Baaeed is 4/9 to overcome those fillies and score again, for what will be his third Group One win on the spin.
The card at Newbury also includes the Group Three Al Rayyan Stakes. Last season’s British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes winner Eshaada will feature in the Shadwell silks and is priced at 3/1.
She was a surprise 16/1 winner on British Champions Day in 2021. There is just a small field of six for the 1m4f contest, but it is a fascinating race, as there is very little between them all in the ratings.
Later in the afternoon, the highly regarded Frankel filly, Nashwa, appears in a Listed contest over 1m2f.
John and Thady Gosden’s runner was very impressive when she scored by over six lengths at Haydock (1m) earlier this season.
She has entries in both the Oaks and Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. The path she goes next month may depend on how she fares on this step up in distance.
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Modern Games Bidding to Give Appleby More Classic Success
When he won the Group One Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at the Breeders’ Cup Championship at Del Mar last November, Modern Games was always going to be a big player for Charlie Appleby in the Classics in 2022. The colt’s trainer has opted for the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French 2,000 Guineas) with the son of Dubawi.
The Godolphin runner has won four of his six races so far in his career. He made all in the Group Three Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket last season, before making the trip across to California. His success in the United States proved this horse has no issues with travelling.
It has been an excellent start to the season for Appleby. Success for Modern Games will add to his victory in the 2,000 Guineas with Coroebus.
It will also give him a nice dilemma to have for the rest of the campaign, as he will have three of the big players in the 1m division in his yard, with Native Trail another colt who has proved he has a lot of class. Appleby may have to find ways of keep the trio of horses apart.
Cachet Looking to Complete Guineas Double at Longchamp
1,000 Guineas winner Cachet travels to Longchamp this weekend for the French equivalent of the race. Her connections will be hoping she can replicate what she produced at Newmarket in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches.
The three-year-old filly gave George Boughey an opening Classic success earlier this month. She made virtually all on the Rowley Mile, making a mockery of those who questioned whether she had the stamina to see out the 1m distance.
Running in the Highclere Racing silks, Cachet will be taking on a number of French-based fillies, including Rosacea. The daughter of Soldier Hollow has won her last four races and is expected to be the pick of the home horses.
Sprinters In Action at Naas on Sunday
The Group Three Goffs Lacken Stakes is the feature race on Sunday at Naas. New York City represents Aidan O’Brien. The three-year-old colt is bidding for this third straight victory on the track.
O’Brien’s Invincible Spirit colt is set to meet the unbeaten Beauty Inspire from Ger Lyons’ yard. He has been victorious on both of his two appearances so far, including at this level at the Curragh during his two-year-old campaign.
Earlier on the card at Naas, the two-year-olds are in action in the Group Three Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies Sprint Stakes. Curragh winner Mediate returns to the track for the Ballymore team, as she looks to build on her debut success.
The daughter of No Nay Never will meet six runners in the 6f contest, including It’s Showtime Baby from Jessica Harrington’s stable. She was victorious at Dundalk over 5f on her first start.
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