DISTINCTION ON TARGET FOR ABN AMRO GOODWOOD CUP REPEAT - HIGH ACTION OUT TO DEFY LONG-SHOT TAG
Distinction, victorious in the Group Two ABN AMRO Goodwood Cup 12 months ago, will attempt to repeat that success in the £100,000 contest, run over two miles, at Goodwood on Thursday, August 3.
The Sir Michael Stoute-trained seven-year-old held the challenge of the Mark Johnston-trained Golden Quest to emerge a deserved hero in the 2005 renewal, and will attempt to become the first horse to score back-to-back successes in the race since Double Trigger achieved the feat in 1997 and 1998.
Harry Herbert, managing director of Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Ltd whose Orangery Syndicate owns Distinction, revealed: "Touch wood, it's very much his target and we'll see if he can retain his crown. That's where we're headed and he's in very good form."
Distinction ran his usual game race when third in the Group One Gold Cup at Ascot over two and half miles on June 22, finishing four lengths and a head behind the brilliant winner Yeats and runner-up Reefscape.
Herbert reported: "The horse seems to have come out of Ascot very well and, looking at him at evening stables the other night, he looked an absolute picture. He loves fast ground and the sunshine on his back so the recent weather conditions suit him well."
Last year's victory in the ABN AMRO Goodwood Cup followed a narrow defeat by Westerner in the Ascot Gold Cup, and provided Distinction's connections with a memorable highlight.
Herbert commented: "It was a huge thrill to win the Goodwood Cup last year. He knocked on the door in the Gold Cup against Westerner and in any other year he would have probably won that race impressively, but came up against one of the best stayers we've seen in recent years. He then ran a hell of a race at Goodwood on soft ground, which he really doesn't like at all.
"He has a very loyal team of owners that follow him all over the world, whether it's Melbourne or wherever else he's run. He's very much part of the Highclere furniture and a very special horse who is much loved, and we hope he will win the Goodwood Cup again before going on to maybe taking other Cup races later in the year.
"He'll probably go to York for the Lonsdale Cup after Goodwood, providing everything goes well, and then the Doncaster Cup. We'll take it one step at a time but at the moment it's all systems go for the Goodwood Cup."
Worcestershire trainer Ian Williams is hoping for another big run from High Action, who surprised many when fourth in the Gold Cup at Ascot, three lengths behind Distinction, at odds of 100/1.
The six-year-old had previously finished 15 lengths adrift of Distinction when the latter scored on soft ground over a mile and five furlongs at Newbury in May. High Action had shown high-class form the previous September, however, when three and three-quarter lengths fourth to Millenary in the two and a quarter mile Group Two Doncaster Cup, with Distinction held in sixth.
Williams reported: "He's very well and I was delighted with his Ascot performance. He went off at a ridiculous price if you consider his Doncaster Cup effort. His two runs after that are totally negated because the ground went against him and he wasn't quite right.
"He was due to run at Sandown (July 8) but he had a tough race in the Gold Cup so we gave him a break in the hope that the dry spell of weather continues through to Goodwood as he's best on fast ground.
"He certainly goes for the ABN AMRO Goodwood Cup and then he could go to Deauville after that."
High Action made the running under Richard Hughes at Royal Ascot until headed two furlongs out, but Williams feels that a prominent early showing is not essential.
He said: "He doesn't have to make the running. It depends what else is in the race and how it all develops. I'd be delighted if Richard Hughes were available to ride him again.
"Hopefully, the horse will run a big race. He still has a bit to find at the weights with the best of them, but he's in good form and goes there with a real chance."
The Group Two ABN AMRO Goodwood Cup is the feature event on Thursday, August 3, day three of the prestigious five-day Glorious Goodwood Festival.
ARAAFA WORKS ON TRACK
Araafa, brilliant winner of the Boylesports Irish 2,000 Guineas (Group 1) at the Curragh and the St James's Palace Stakes (Group 1) at Royal Ascot, will continue his build-up to the Cantor Spreadfair Sussex Stakes (Group 1) at Goodwood on August 2 with a work-out on the July Course at Newmarket tomorrow (Friday, July 21) lunchtime.
The Jeremy Noseda-trained colt will work on the track with one galloping companion at 1.30pm prior to the evening race meeting (first race 5.45pm). Noseda did the same thing with Proclamation a year ago prior to his Sussex Stakes victory.
TICKETS WILL BE ON SALE ON THE GATE FOR TOMORROW NIGHT AT NEWMARKET
The Newmarket Nights season resumes on Newmarket's July Course tomorrow night and Day Members' badges and Grandstand & Paddock tickets will be on sale at the gate. The Family Enclosure is sold out, however. McFly will appear live in concert after the last race.
Availability for the remainder the Newmarket Nights season:
Ronan Keating (28th July) - Members and Grandstand & Paddock tickets currently available. Family Enclosure sold out.
Texas (4th August) - All Enclosures sold out
Jools Holland (11th August) - Members and Grandstand & Paddock tickets still available. Family Enclosure is sold out.
Westlife (18th August) - All Enclosures sold out
For Newmarket Nights booking, please visit www.newmarketracecourses.co.uk or ring the hotline on 08707 200 201.
For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink
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