Slumber makes each-way appeal
That’s the position Fiorente will find himself in this afternoon when he contests the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood, but how much appeal does he make at even-money?
Making only his third racecourse appearance, the three-year-old ran on from the rear to take second place behind Nathaniel in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot last time out but his was a strange run. For the first few furlongs, Ryan Moore chose to keep his mount wide, under the trees before racing across to join the main group as they made the first turn.
Shortly afterwards he was been shuffled back to the rear of the field and wasn’t travelling as kindly as most of his rivals. Nathaniel kicked for home quite early and won with plenty in hand but Fiorente made late gains to race past beaten horses. He was clear second best that day but an awful long way inferior to the winner, who, of course, went on to win the King George.
Today’s race is a significant drop in class and he’s entitled to be favourite but I suspect he wants a very strong gallop to produce his best and may need things to fall into place.
The pace in the race is likely to come from Dordogne, who will try to make all. That should also suit his better-fancied stable-companion, Namibian, who was a winner over two miles at Royal Ascot last time out and will need at least a solid pace to bring his stamina into play.
Two outsiders worth a mention are Highland Castle and Yaseer. The former looked completely outpaced until a withering late run earned him victory in a Haydock handicap on his most recent run. This represents a hike up the grades but he’s quite highly regarded by connections and may be a shade over-priced at 20-1.
Yaseer looked in need of a step up in trip when third behind 2000 Guineas-third Native Khan in the Craven Stakes back in May, but he flopped in the Dante on his most recent outing. He’s not certain to get a mile and a half but he may have been under the weather last time and a market move would be significant.
The Barry Hills-trained Slumber is one of the more likely winners of this race. He was as green as grass when unsighted on his racecourse debut in 2010 but looked a completely different prospect when coping with the nuances of Epsom to make a successful seasonal debut back in April.
On his next outing he was far from disgraced when finishing third in the Chester Vase. That race was won by subsequent Epsom Derby runner-up and Irish Derby winner Treasure Beach, with subsequent King Edward VII and King George winner Nathaniel in second place.
Only a head separated the first two home, with three lengths back to Slumber but it should be noted that the last named ran around in the home straight and was noticeably eased in the closing stages.
On his most recent run he finished third behind Pisco Sour in the Group 3 Tercentenary Stakes (formerly Hampton Court) at Royal Ascot but found trouble when travelling well in the homestraight.
When finally in the clear, he ran on strongly to take third spot and that was certainly an eye-catching effort over a trip short of his best.
Back up to a mile and a half today, he has a chance to resume his progress and, given that what he has achieved all but equates to what the favourite can boast, the odds dictate there can only be one bet. At around 5-1, the unexposed colt rates a solid each-way selection.
