Maze raring to go

Maze is in prime form to put his unbeaten record on the line in the Iveco Solario Stakes at Sandown on Saturday.

The son of Dr Fong delighted trainer Bryan Smart in his latest piece of work to show he was on course for the Group Three contest over seven furlongs.

“He did a stunning piece of work this morning and it’s all systems go for Sandown on Saturday,” said the Thirsk trainer.

Maze has looked a useful two-year-old, winning his maiden at Newcastle and then the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Smart’s impressive record with his juveniles continued at York last week when Captain Gerrard won the Roses Stakes to book his place in the Group Two Polypipe Flying Childers Stakes at Doncaster on September 14.

“It’s nice to see a horse keep progressing like him,” said Smart.

“I don’t think he handled the track at Goodwood when he was third to Fleeting Spirit and Kingsgate Native. He now goes to Doncaster for the Flying Childers Stakes.”

Smart was also delighted with Unilateral’s fourth place behind Nahoodh in the Lowther Stakes.

“She ran a smashing race when fourth and has gone up 24lb for that,” he went on.

“We’ll look to get some black type for her in a Listed fillies’ race or something like that, then the job’s done.

“She’s got a Group one entry later in the year in the Cheveley Park and if there was juice in the ground she could go there.”

The one disappointment in the two-year-old division for Smart was Easy Target, who trailed home last in the Gimcrack Stakes.

“Nothing has come to light and we have no plans for him as yet. We’ll just give him a bit of time,” Smart added.