Workforce is primed to deliver
The Michael Stoute-trained colt enjoyed a superb year in 2010, producing a brilliant performance in the Epsom Derby before defeating Europe’s best in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.
The four-year-old got the job done without being flashy in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes over this weekend’s course and distance on his seasonal return, although conditions are set to be a degree livelier today.
Critics have doubted whether Workforce will be able to show his best over 10 furlongs on a fast surface but Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah, is unfazed by those potential stumbling blocks ahead one of the most prestigious middle-distance prizes of the season.
“Everyone seems pleased with the horse,” said Grimthorpe.
“He’s actually only run over 10 furlongs once before the Brigadier Gerard, and that was in the Dante Stakes at York.
“I wouldn’t be too concerned as he’s by King’s Best and he won over seven furlongs as a two-year-old.
“Ryan (Moore) is in good form at the moment. Group One races are always very difficult to win and there are a lot of talented horses in the race. “It’s going to be interesting.”
Moore is surely the key player in Saturday’s race, having had previous experience of riding Workforce, So You Think and multiple Group One-winning mare Snow Fairy.
“Workforce is in very good shape but obviously it’s going to be a difficult race,” said Moore, who warmed up to his task with a treble at Sandown on Friday.
“There’s three very good horses in it but hopefully he’s moved forward from his first run and it will be a very good race.”
Snow Fairy was rerouted to the Eclipse after Ed Dunlop withdrew her from last weekend’s Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh due to the testing conditions.
Dunlop has no concerns on that score today, although he acknowledges his star mare has plenty on her plate.
“There has been much speculation as to which of the colts will come out on top, but Snow Fairy had a blow-out on Thursday morning and, having scoped well afterwards, we saw no reason why we should not take them on,” the Newmarket trainer told his website, www.edunlop.com.
“While she stays a mile and a half, 10 furlongs is probably her optimum distance.”
Roger Varian’s Sri Putra was beaten just half a length by Twice Over in this race 12 months ago and ran another blinder at the highest level when third in the Prince of Wales’s.
