Tate eyes Newbury for Gambit

Smart South African recruit Kings Gambit will put his staying credentials to the test at Newbury on Saturday week.

Trainer Tom Tate has pencilled in the CGA Geoffrey Freer Stakes for the five-year-old following his creditable third at York on his British bow.

Twice a Group One winner in his native country over nine and 12 furlongs, Kings Gambit was staying on to finish a length and three-quarters behind Kirklees over a mile and a quarter.

Tate is planning a step up in trip for Newbury Group Three though, with a possible trip to Ireland in the offing if all goes well.

"He ran an excellent race at York and we're going to go to the Geoffrey Freer with him next," Tate said.

"He's an exciting horse and we want to see if he will stay the mile and five furlongs at Newbury.

"If he does, we may look to supplementing him for the Irish St Leger but we will see.

"I'm sure he needs a mile and a half but whether he will stay the extra furlong, I don't know yet.

"I was pleased with him at York as the trip was too short for him really but we needed to get him started somewhere."