Happy Power

Happy Power only finished sixth in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood on Saturday, but he ran well for a long way over a trip that stretches his stamina.

Sharply away, Andrew Balding’s horse settled into a nice position for Silvestre de Sousa, just up on the outside of leader Pogo. He moved up to share the lead with Charlie Hills’ horse at the two-furlong marker, and he just got past that rival at the furlong marker. But his stamina seemed to ebb inside the final furlong, as Benbatl came up on his outside. He was still in a dispute of third place with a half a furlong to run, but he faded into sixth place, as Chindit and Perotto stayed on past him close home.

Happy Power’s best runs have been over seven furlongs, with five of his seven wins gained over that distance. He won the Group 3 Supreme Stakes last year over seven furlongs at Goodwood, and he finished fourth in the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot in June over six. He has won over a mile, but he has won just once in eight tries, seven since his sole win over the trip in the Listed Ganton Stakes at York in June 2019. He goes well on soft ground, so he will remain of interest as we move into the autumn. He holds an entry in the Group 2 Park Stakes next Saturday over seven furlongs at Doncaster, a track at which he is one for one, so he will be of interest if he lines up in that, while the best performance of his career was probably the performance that he put up when he won the Group 2 Challenge Stakes on soft ground over seven furlongs at Newmarket last October, so he will be of particular interest if he is aimed at that race again.
Goodwood, 28^th August 2021