NEWS
Experience versus youth in Nunthorpe Stakes
Posted: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 7:23 PM
by Myra Lewyn
Cheveley Park Stud’s Kingsgate Native will try to recapture his Group 1-winning form on Friday at York when he tries to win the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes (Eng-G1) for the second time.
The Nunthorpe is a rare opportunity for two-year-olds to compete against their elders in a group race. When trained by John Best, Kingsgate Native scored his first career victory in the five-furlong race two years ago at 12-to-1 odds as the only juvenile in the field.
Now trained by Sir Michael Stoute, the four-year-old Mujadil colt will seek his second consecutive win since returning to training following a failed attempt at stud earlier this year for his owner-breeder.
The early favorite for this year’s edition of the Nunthorpe, Kingsgate Native enters off a 2¾-length triumph in the Audi King George Stakes (Eng-G3) on July 30 at Goodwood. He will meet 16 opponents, including five-furlong Norfolk Stakes (Eng-G2) winner Radiohead, the only two-year-old in this year’s edition.
The Johannesburg colt, who is campaigned by a partnership, was badly hampered well over a furlong from the finish in the Norfolk on June 18 at Royal Ascot, but recovered within a few strides to win by two lengths.
Trainer Brian Meehan is confident Radiohead is ready for Friday’s task as he also receives a significant break in the weights. He will shoulder 113 pounds, from 19 to 24 pounds less than his opponents.
“Radiohead produced a high-class effort at Royal Ascot, and we think this race will play to his strengths again,” Meehan said on his website.” There should be plenty of pace early on, the five furlongs is ideal, and the ground should suit.
“The fact that he gets all the allowances is a further boost to his chance, and his work in his buildup to this race suggests he is in great form.”
High Treason in 1953 became the first juvenile to win the race, followed by *My Beau in ’54. Since then, only three other two-year-olds have won the race—Ennis in 1956, Lyric Fantasy (Ire) in ’92, and Kingsgate Native in 2007.
Borderlescott, who won the Nunthorpe last year, and Reverence, who landed the race in 2006 in en route to honors as Europe’s champion sprinter, also are entered.
Myra Lewyn is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes (Eng-G1)
August 21, $347,952, 2yo&up, 5fT, York
The field in post position order, with (sire), jockey, weight, and trainer:
1 Tax Free (Tagula), Adrian Nicholls, 137, David Nicholls;
2 Borderlescott (Compton Place), Neil Callan, 137, Robin Bastiman;
3 Amour Propre (Paris House), Dane O’Neill, 135, Henry Candy;
4 Ialysos (So Factual), Jimmy Fortune, 13, Luca Cumani;
5 Mythical Flight (Jet Master), Kevin Shea, 137, Sean Tarry;
6 Art Connoisseur (Lucky Story), Hayley Turner, 135, Michael Bell;
7 Kingsgate Native (Mujadil), Ryan Moore, 137, Sir Michael Stoute;
8 Moorhouse Lad (Bertolini), Jim Crowley, 137, Bryan Smart;
9 Radiohead (Johannesburg), Martin Dwyer, 113, Brian Meehan;
10 Dandy Man (Mozart [Ire]), Frankie Dettori, 137, Saeed bin Suroor;
11 Benbaun (Stravinsky), Johnny Murtagh, 137, Kevin Ryan; and
12 Equiano (Acclamation), Michael Hills, 137, Barry Hills;
13 Reverence (Mark of Esteem [Ire]), Eddie Ahern, 137, Eric Alston;
14 Captain Gerrard (Oasis Dream [GB]), Tom Eaves, 137, Bryan Smart;
15 Excellerator (Exceed And Excel), Daragh O’Donohoe, 132, George Baker;
16 Mythical Border (Johannesburg), William Buick, 132, Jeremy Noseda;
17 Look Busy (Danetime), Slade O’Hara, 134, Alan Berry.
