Gosden excited by Classic contenders
The son of Galileo is engaged in the Vodafone Derby on June 2 and is likely to be given the chance to earn himself a place in the line-up this spring.
“I’m thinking of a mile-and-a-quarter conditions race for him at Newbury or possibly a Classic trial,” he said yesterday. “He worked well on Wednesday and he’ll like top of the ground. His mother was with me and she was talented.
“I think I found the right races for him (last year) – a mile maiden at Newmarket and a conditions race at Salisbury – and he won them in great style.
“But he didn’t want a hard year last year and we did plan to run him in the Royal Lodge but the ground went and he wouldn’t have liked it.”
Broghill, Escape Route and Asperity are also engaged in the 12-furlong Classic, and that trio are also entered in the Stan James 2000 Guineas on May 5.
Of Broghill, Gosden added: “He won his maiden well but got a bit lost at Ascot (next time).
“They crossed the course and the ground was a little bit slick and Jimmy (Fortune) was very sensible on him.
“He said he hadn’t gone hammering away on a horse that was still green and wasn’t in love with the ground.”
Broghill finished third to Charlie Farnsbarns on that occasion and Gosden was pleased to see that horse subsequently uphold the form in better company. “The winner there went on and ran really well in the Racing Post Trophy next time and I’m happy with this horse – he’s going the right way,” Gosden continued. “I think he’s better on decent ground and if it’s decent I’ll run him straight in the Craven Stakes (April 19).”
