Sirius sets up Moon showdown
The Andreas Lowe-trained son of Dashing Blade had been in contention to travel to York for the Great Voltigeur but connections opted to stay at home and were rewarded with a Group One success.
Ridden by regular partner Stephen Hellyn, the three-year-old beat Freddie Tylickiâs mount Berlin Berlin by half a length, with another length and a half back to Lucky Speed in third.
Lowe said: âI only supplemented him on Monday. I looked at his past performances and compared his races with this one and felt he deserved to run here. He had another option to run in a race at York, but we thought we would run here.
âHe didnât run in the German Derby as he was still a bit green. He runs with blinkers. I will now run him in the Grosser Preis von Baden.â
Flaming Spear meanwhile is set to make the step up to Group Three level in the Pinsent Masons LLP Acomb Stakes at York later this month.
The Kevin Ryan-trained colt made quite a splash when running out a two-and-three-quarter-length winner of a maiden on the Knavesmire in July, earning quotes as low as 20-1 for next yearâs Qipco 2000 Guineas.
He will now step up in trip to seven furlongs in the August 20 event at York, with David Redvers, racing manager for part-owners Qatar Racing, pointing to the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket on October 17 as the long-term aim.
âHe will run in the Acomb Stakes at York,â he said. âThe target for him is the Dewhurst in the autumn.
âHeâs in very good nick and has matured mentally and physically since his first outing. Jamie (Spencer) sat on him early last week and he was grinning afterwards.â
Popular handicapper Brae Hill has been retired after picking up an injury.
Trained by Richard Fahey, the eight-year-old won the 2012 Lincoln under Tony Hamilton, beating Mull Of Killough by a short head. Owned by Dr Marwan Koukash for the last four years, he also finished second in the 2011 Lincoln and third in the 2013 renewal and won the Bunbury Cup in 2011.
