Border bids for Salisbury success
Robin Bastiman reports Borderlescott to be raring to go as the six-year-old bids to shake off his tag as the unluckiest sprinter in training at Salisbury on Sunday.
The gelding faces eight rivals as he seeks his first success in Listed company in the Axminster Carpets Cathedral Stakes.
He has been touched off in five races at that level in six attempts and had the misfortune to come across flying filly Fleeting Spirit when second in the Group Two Temple Stakes at Haydock on his latest start.
“He’s really well in himself, he worked well last week and again this week and he did a spin this morning which was quite pleasing,” said Bastiman.
“I just hope it’s not too firm, they say they’re going to put a bit of water on so I’ll be happy as long as the ground is safe.
“He’s in stall one so does that mean I’ve got the worst draw again then?
“Beckermet’s in stall two so hopefully we’ll get a lead. They are there to be beat and he’s spot on.”
Borderlescott has been runner-up 11 times in 31 races but having a bad dose of seconditis has not deterred either horse or trainer.
“It’s not bothered me,” the North Yorkshire trainer added.
“If a horse goes upsides him, he will try to beat him. If Fleeting Spirit had not missed the break at Haydock she probably would have gone over to the far side with him but instead she went up the middle and got a run on her own.
“She’s a good horse and I don’t think he’d have beaten her that day, but you never know.”
Borderlescott ran in the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot last year but Bastiman decided to give Royal Ascot a miss this time.
“These Australian horses are a bit useful and Listed races are hard enough but I’m prepared to take on the top sprinters later in the season rather than now,” he continued.
“We’ve been there and the owner is not that keen on the place.”
Bastiman has mapped out a programme that could include Group Threes at Newcastle and Sandown in the summer with the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes and the Prix de l’Abbaye possible Group One targets later on.
“I might pop him in the Nunthorpe and then maybe the Abbaye in October. Fleeting Spirit might have had enough by then!” he quipped.
Robert Winston takes the ride on Sunday and he is unbeaten on the horse having won on him first time at Musselburgh last month to end a 13-race losing streak.
“The horse seems to have a different jockey almost every time but he’s Robert’s ride this year when he’s available.
“It would be nice if he won on Sunday, I’m sure he’ll be thereabouts.”
