Sir Michael Stoute has farmed the Princess Of Wales’s Stakes over the years and seeks a remarkable tenth victory with Arab Spring and Hillstar on Thursday.
For those of us with long memories, his first winner was with the Aga Khan’s Shardari back in 1986. Rock Hopper and Saddler’s Hall followed up in the early 90’s with Little Rock winning in 2000. His most recent winners have been Gamut, Papal Bull, Doctor Fremantle, Crystal Capella and Fiorente.
Of course, Fiorente went on to win the Melbourne Cup last year for Gai Waterhouse and it is not impossible that Arab Spring could one day line up in the great race. He has done nothing but improve all season, starting off in a lowly maiden at Kempton on the all-weather and progressing through the handicap.
Victories at Doncaster and York followed and he then defied an 8lbs rise to win at Royal Ascot last month. The race panned out perfectly for Ryan Moore as he sat handy before kicking for home in the straight. Unlike some jockeys who shall remain nameless, Moore invariably seems to have his horse in the right position. It is very rare that you find him trapped at the rear of the field.
Havana Cooler (third) and Dashing Star (fifth) at Ascot did not run badly at Haydock in the Old Newton Cup on Saturday but this still represents a rise in class for Arab Spring. His winning mark of 104 still gives him a few pounds to find to win this.
Frankie Dettori rides Hillstar who plugged on to take a remote second to stable companion Telescope in the Hardwicke Stakes. Some pundits will have you believe that Telescope is a champion racehorse but the bare form suggests he has some way to go yet. Just behind Hillstar were Pether’s Moon and Forgotten Voice, admirable horses but rated around 110.
My regular readers will know that Dandino was a long range fancy for the Melbourne Cup in which he came an honourable fifth. He finished only sixth at Ascot and you get the feeling that he is being brought along steadily for a return trip down under. Gatewood has been to Australia and lost his way completely but has gradually picked up the pieces. He lost out to Sheikhzayedroad here last time and this looks a better race.
I cannot pretend that 7-4 is a great price for Arab Spring but he is the logical choice to continue the great run of Stoute in this race.
Arab Spring at 7-4 Paddy Power, William Hill
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