Sangarius

Sangarius is not under the radar any more, but he was really impressive in winning the Hampton Court Stakes, and it could still be worthwhile following him. Sir Michael Stoute’s horse was keener than ideal through the early stages of the race for Frankie Dettori, but he still had the energy to pick up impressively and to stay on strongly all the way to the line. Runner-up Fox Chairman didn’t have a smooth run through the race but, such was the authority with which Sangarius won it, it is difficult to argue that he was unlucky. The winner probably had more in hand than the bare winning margin of just over two lengths.

The Kingman colt won his first two races last year, and was thought good enough to take his chance in the Dewhurst Stakes. He was beaten by King Of Comedy in the Heron Stakes at Sandown on his debut this season, but he was weak in the market before that race, a race from which he was generally expected to progress and, actually, he wasn’t beaten far by the winner, who ran a massive race in the St James’s Palace Stakes on Tuesday.

This was a really nice step forward by Sangarius on this, his first attempt at 10 furlongs, and there is every chance that he will progress again. This was just his fifth race, and he was keen, over the longest trip over which he had ever raced. He should do even better when he learns to settle a little better, and he should be progressing with experience anyway. He holds an entry in the Juddmonte International, a race that his sponsored by his owner and, while that would be a significant step up in class, it is not an overly ambitious target. That said, that race might come too soon, it may be that he will ease his way up in grade, and the Champion Stakes back at Ascot in October could be the race for him.

Ascot, 20^th June 2019