Mill Reef The Mainstay On Saturday

[Wandering Eyes]

Saturday’s action features Newbury’s G2 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef S., where the in-form Karl Burke stable bids for a third renewal with True Mason (GB) (Mayson {GB}). He races in the Derby-winning colours of Khalifa Dasmal, whose newcomer Raakib Alhawa (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) took Friday’s Haynes, Hanson & Clark Conditions S. at the track and who has proven himself a smart performer in two French forays. Building on a third in the 5 1/2-furlong G2 Prix Robert Papin at Maisons-Laffitte July 22, he was again in that position when the first colt home in the G1 Prix Morny at Deauville Aug. 19 and his trainer is confident.

“I think he goes there with a great chance,” he said. “It will be the first time he’s had his ground since he ran at Leicester on his debut. It was heavy that day, but I shouldn’t have run him as he was only half-fit. We had a great weekend last weekend and hopefully we can bag another group race on Saturday.”

John Gosden saddles the Sept. 8 G3 Sirenia S. winner Kessaar (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), while Jeremy Noseda puts forward Susan Roy’s impressive Aug. 31 Newcastle novice stakes winner Garrus (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}).

Also at Newbury, the G3 Dubai Duty Free Legacy Cup sees Juddmonte’s impressive Aug. 3 G3 Glorious S. winner Mirage Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}) confronted by the returning 3-year-old Young Rascal (Fr) (Intello {Ger}). Not seen since finishing down the field in the June 2 G1 Epsom Derby, Bernard Kantor’s May 9 G3 Chester Vase winner is yet to convince trainer William Haggas that he is back at a peak. “He wants a bit of dig in the ground and we’ll start him on Saturday and take it from there,” he said. “He never raced in the Derby and fell apart afterwards. I’m not convinced we’ve got him back yet and we may not get him back this year, but he’s ready to go and it’s time he ran.”

Teddy Grimthorpe said of Mirage Dancer, “We were delighted with him at Goodwood and clearly this is another important race for him on Saturday. We hope he’s progressive and how he performs this weekend is going to tell us a lot about where we’re heading, I think. We’ve always felt he’s potentially better than a Group 3 horse, we still do feel that, and there are various options for him before the end of the season at home and abroad.”

Possibly the day’s most intriguing affair happens at ParisLongchamp, with Charlie Appleby re-introducing the G3 Autumn S. winner Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G3 Prix du Prince d’Orange. The trainer, who also saddles last year’s G3 Prix des Chenes winner Stage Magic (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), said he is keen to see the imposing €1.1-million Goffs November graduate back in action. “Ghaiyyath met with a setback in the spring, but his preparation going into this race has gone well,” he said. “We are looking forward to getting him back on track, although he will come forward for whatever he does this weekend.”

Another pricey colt in the line-up is Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum’s 1.9-million gns Tattersalls February acquisition Willie John (GB) (Dansili {GB}), who scored by five lengths in a conditions race at Doncaster on his belated seasonal bow Aug. 4. “Willie John won in good style at Doncaster and I have been very pleased with his home work since,” trainer Roger Varian commented. “This looks a strong but select field, although we feel he is ready for the step up in grade.”

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