Andre Fabre has long considered Newmarket to be a happy hunting ground and it is significant that the master of Chantilly is at the old “Headquarters” on Thursday for the G3 Tattersalls S. Thirty years ago, Tertian (Danzig) came for this specific race and duly landed the odds and this time it is Trident (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) who is lined up for the seven-furlong prize representing Messrs Smith, Magnier, Tabor and Westerberg. Runner-up in the G1 Prix Morny at Deauville Aug. 22, the bay can only improve over this longer trip on pedigree and could yet shape up into one of his handler's 2000 Guineas hopefuls come the spring.
“I see they had rain on Sunday at Newmarket, but it should have dried by now and in any case, whatever the ground is it won't bother him,” Fabre said. “He got a bump in the Morny just when he was quickening. The extra distance this time will be in his favour and he's going to run well. He's a very reliable colt.”
Godolphin's Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) comes in off a nursery handicap success at Doncaster's St Leger Festival Sept. 8 and trainer Charlie Appleby said, “Modern Games has a lovely, progressive profile and has done very little wrong to date. We have been pleased with him going into this and the testing seven at Newmarket should suit.” Prior to his Doncaster win, Modern Games was second to Manton Park Racing's Cresta (Fr) (New Bay {GB}) in a Leicester novice Aug. 8 and his trainer Martyn Meade said, “Obviously this is a step up, but he's in good form and is ready to take his chance. Andre Fabre's horse was obviously second in the Morny and you can't take that away from him, but you shouldn't be worried about one and we'll take him on.”
Highclere Thoroughbred Racing's Harrow (Ire) (El Kabeir) has won a York nursery Aug. 19 and Doncaster's Weatherbys Scientific £200,000 2-Y-O S. over 6 1/2 furlongs Sept. 9, where he impressed with his acceleration at the finish. Harry Herbert is hoping he can make his presence felt in this company. “Andrew [Balding] has always held the horse in high regard and with every race, he's taken a big step forward,” he said. “I think having won that valuable sales race at Doncaster, Andrew desperately wanted to move into black-type company, so we'll see. It's a big leap, as we know, taking on Andre Fabre's horse Trident but he's very tough and we need to see where we are in the big picture.”
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