Bradley hoping Tatling can prove champion
Milton Bradley is looking for a measure of justice for seasoned sprinter The Tatling in the Audi Stakes at Goodwood tomorrow.
The Chepstow trainer feels that his stable star should have been crowned Europe’s champion sprinter last season – an honour that went to Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp winner Var.
With Var off to stud in South Africa, The Tatling, beaten half a length in that end-of-season feature at Longchamp, is on course to stake his claim for honours again with victory in the race registered as the King George Stakes.
“He is so consistent compared to the other sprinters and I really just don’t understand how he wasn’t the champion,” said Bradley.
“Look at his form last year and tell me how anyone could think otherwise. I was very annoyed by the decision, no doubt about it.
“He ran right through the summer and a few only came out on the odd occasion, but I don’t care what they say – he’s a champion in my eyes.”
The Tatling takes on 12 rivals in the Group Three event over five furlongs tomorrow and Bradley is hopeful that despite giving 5lb and more away, he will have no excuses.
“Not too many will like the soft ground and he ran the best race of his career in the Nunthorpe at York on soft ground last year when beaten a neck by Bahamian Pirate,” he said.
“We take him on again on Thursday, but Bahamian Pirate is a 10-year-old and though he does like the soft ground, we hope that age is starting to catch up with him.
“Touch wood, The Tatling is in good form and we have a sporting chance of winning. Put it this way, I wouldn’t want to change him for any of the others in the field.”
David Nicholls saddles both Fire Up The Band, winner of last month’s Vodafone Dash at Epsom, and Group One winner Bahamian Pirate, who finished seventh to Pastoral Pursuits on his latest start in the July Cup.
“Fire Up The Band is a Yorkshire lad and he’ll like the soft ground,” said the bullish Nicholls.
“I think the world of Bahamian Pirate – he’s one of the oldest Group One winners ever and he’s sure to run another big race. We’re very hopeful.”
Malcolm Saunders would not mind the heavens opening, despite 15 millimetres of rain having fallen in the 24 hours prior to racing today.
The Somerset handler has booked Ted Durcan to ride the five-year-old mare Indian Maiden, who landed Haydock’s Listed Cecil Frail Stakes last month.
“She won on good ground there, but it was a bit softer than that and I will be doing a rain dance,” said Saunders.
“The more rain the better. If it went officially heavy, I wouldn’t mind. She needs really soft ground over five furlongs and she has struggled a bit on faster ground.
“It’s a hard race – you need to have everything going for you and hope that your jockey gives her a good ride.
“I’m happy with her form and we’ll keep our fingers crossed. Actually, I am pretty confident, especially if we get more rain on the day.”
North Yorkshire trainer David Barker is hoping that the ground won’t be too taxing for Mecca’s Mate, since the four-year-old filly is also engaged in Saturday’s Vodafone Stewards’ Cup.
He said: “The soft ground should suit her and on her last run, when she won a Listed race at Ayr, she deserves to take her chance in Group company and hopefully she will come out of it well enough, because the plan is still to go for the Stewards’ Cup on Saturday.
“She is a very tough filly and though it is a brave shout, we will hopefully do both.”
Blue Dakota has suffered a series of niggling problems that has meant a belated start to his Classic season.
And Jeremy Noseda feels that last season’s Norfolk Stakes hero will improve for his first run for a year.
“He has been working well, but there is no doubt he will be better for the run after such a long absence,” said the Newmarket handler.
“I also have no idea how well he will fare on this soft surface, so we are venturing into the unknown a bit.”
