Mysterious Night

Mysterious Night can be marked up at least a little on the bare form of the performance that he put up in finishing third in the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood last Tuesday. Smartly away from stall seven, he could never really get in, he was forced wide around the top turn, and William Buick just allowed him make ground around the outside and move into the lead. He travelled well in front early in the home straight and, while his early exertions took their toll, and meant that he couldn’t repel first Holloway Boy and then Marbaan, he still finished a good third, nicely ahead of his remaining rivals.

It was a race in which the early pace was fast, with the winner and the runner-up coming from well back. Third behind Persian Force in the Group 2 July Stakes at Newmarket’s July meeting over six furlongs on his previous run, and a full brother to Althiqa, winner of a Grade 1 in America over nine furlongs, Mysterious Night is deserving of another go at seven furlongs. Charlie Appleby’s colt has plenty of potential to continue his progression, this was just his fourth run, and there could be a fair bit more to come. He holds an entry in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster next month, and he would be interesting if he lined up in that.
Goodwood, 26^th July 2022