Alparslan emerged as a genuine contender for the 2000 Guineas after upsetting expectations in the Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes at Newbury.
The betting had been dominated by Aidan O’Brien’s Albert Einstein and Eve Johnson Houghton’s Group One winner Zavateri, but Karl Burke’s Alparslan, who won a valuable juvenile sales race in Ireland and had finished behind Zavateri in the Dewhurst, was given the run of the race up front by Clifford Lee.
The pair of fancied rivals closed late, but Alparslan (9-1) held on to win by a length, with Zavateri finishing strongly into second after encountering some trouble in running.
Burke said he felt they had been under the radar and that the colt had been entitled to improve following three runs as a two-year-old. He admitted the Dewhurst track’s undulations may have unsettled Alparslan as a juvenile and that the colt had returned sore after that race, but felt Newbury had answered most questions about him. Burke noted Alparslan is a big, heavy, gawky type and said whether a galloping track like Longchamp would suit is uncertain; the Curragh may be more suitable given his previous success there. He added the mile is still a question mark but believes the Greenham performance answered “90 per cent” of it and left him hopeful for Classic targets.
Zavateri, one of last season’s standouts who lost his unbeaten record when fourth in the Dewhurst, did little to damage his reputation with an honest second. Johnson Houghton said he had run well, had been a bit fresh, and had been boxed in off a slow pace when Ryan Moore had to restrain Albert Einstein. She called Zavateri “my boy” and said they would decide next week which 2000 Guineas to aim for, with France the least likely option.
For Coolmore’s Albert Einstein, distance became the main talking point after he finished third. Kevin Buckley described the race as “muddling” but felt the colt ran a creditable race and learnt from the experience, with Ryan Moore waiting to discuss details with Aidan O’Brien and the owners. Buckley said Albert Einstein was happier back on this surface and indicated the team would digest the performance overnight before deciding on a route.
Sukanya swoops to foil Touleen at Newbury
Jack Channon’s Sukanya produced a late charge from last to first to dent Touleen’s Classic hopes in the Dubai Duty Free Stakes at Newbury.
Fourth in a Group Three at Goodwood and runner-up in a Listed race at Leopardstown last season, Sukanya had disappointed when well beaten in the Rockfel Stakes on her final outing. Sent off at 16-1, she was dropped right to the rear by David Probert before unleashing a powerful finish to overhaul 5-4 favourite Touleen, who had led into the final furlong, and win by three-quarters of a length.
Channon praised her class and turn of foot, recalling her good juvenile form and saying he had believed she would place in this race. He said they would consider supplementing for the 1000 Guineas and that his first instinct would be to aim for the Irish 1,000 Guineas, although he would weigh options with the owners and would not complain about a Newmarket runner if needed.
Owen Burrows, trainer of Touleen, said the filly hadn’t quickened as she had previously and might simply be a touch rusty. He had no major concerns about her action late in the race and kept the Guineas as a possibility if she came through the run well.
Convergent quality shines through to set up big-race ambitions
Karl Burke and Clifford Lee were buoyant after Convergent overcame traffic to take the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes (the John Porter Stakes) at Newbury.
The race, which had been earmarked by many as a potential outing for Constitution Hill before his absence, still attracted a strong field. Convergent, sent off at 4-1, was ridden to the front by Lee at the right moment and held on for a snug victory, giving Burke another high-quality staying prospect.
Lee, returning to big-race success after recovering from a serious quadbike accident, described the win as fantastic and emotional. He admitted he’d been in a difficult position in running when the field swung, but praised Convergent’s engine for getting them out of trouble. Lee said the horse had been narrowly beaten in the German Derby last year, was a lovely horse who settled well, and possessed the class to compete at the top level over the distance.
Burke believes Convergent has Group One potential and listed the Coronation Cup and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes as likely summer targets, saying the horse might be the best they’ve had over staying distances if kept sound and progressing in the right direction.