Mastery leads Godolphin charge
Godolphin are putting together a strong team for next week’s Ebor Festival at York, headed by Tuesday’s Ladbrokes Great Voltigeur hope Mastery.
The Sulamani colt won the Italian Derby on his first start for the Dubai-based operation, before turning in placed efforts in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot and the Grand Prix de Paris.
Godolphin racing manger Simon Crisford said: “Mastery is being aimed at the Great Voltigeur and we are looking forward to seeing him run.
“He hasn’t been out since his good run in the Grand Prix de Paris and another big effort will be required from him in the Great Voltigeur.
“Our two most likely runners in the Acomb Stakes on Tuesday are Poet’s Voice and Vale Of York.
“Poet’s Voice won well at Newmarket and he has gone forward since then.
“We are very pleased with him and want to see him at this level before making any future plans, but his run at Newmarket promised enough to suggest he can be competitive.
“Vale Of York really pleased us when he won at York. It was the manner of the victory that delighted us. Since then we have been looking at this race as his next start.”
Schiaparelli proved himself a high-class stayer when landing the Goodwood Cup last month and the six-year-old is all set to compete again at Group Two level in Wednesday’s Weatherbys Insurance Lonsdale Cup.
“At Goodwood, the ground was right and everything fell into place. He suffered from a foot problem in the past and so raced quite rarely,” Crisford continued.
“Happily, that issue is behind him now but he definitely appreciates a bit of give. He has done very well since his Goodwood win.
“For Friday, we will have a look at the Strensall Stakes for Spring Of Fame and Donativum. Then in the City Of York Stakes, Huntdown is a possible and so is Ancien Regime.”
