Marcus Tregoning believes Askar Tau can continue to pay his way in the major staying events this season following a superb effort in last week’s Goodwood Cup.
Having failed to get seriously competitive on his first three appearances of the season, the seven-year-old turned in arguably a career-best effort when a fast-finishing second behind Saddler’s Rock on the Sussex Downs.
Askar Tau is now likely to renew rivalries with his conqueror and a number of those who finished behind in the Lonsdale Cup at York.
“It was obviously a great run from Askar Tau. The handicapper has put him up to 111, so he’s gone up a pound on what he’s achieved this year,” said Tregoning
“He’s obviously in really good form at the moment and I’d imagine he’ll go to York and then the Doncaster Cup.
“You meet a lot of the same horses and the Goodwood winner, who is obviously a very good horse, doesn’t get a penalty.
“Hopefully our horse can be competitive again and continue to pay his way.”
Also heading down the staying route is Hawaafez, who was not disgraced in finishing fourth in Goodwood’s Lillie Langtry Stakes.
“She ran all right. After a good start to the season some of the horses just dipped off because of the weather and what have you and I think she’ll improve for the run at Goodwood,” said Tregoning.
“She just got a bit tired at the finish and I think perhaps forcing the pace wasn’t the best thing to do, but it’s gone now and we move on.
“All the staying races are open to her and at some stage we’ll try her back beyond a mile and three-quarters. It’s possible she could end up in the same races as Askar Tau at some stage.”