GOODWOOD, the stunning racecourse on the Sussex Downs that many believe to be the most beautiful in the world, this week takes centre stage as it hosts the spectacular ‘Glorious’ Festival with five days of top class action. Get your bets on with Hollywoodbets!
Horse racing was introduced to his magnificent estate by the 3rd Duke Of Richmond 217 years ago, with its highlight the Sussex Stakes boasting a roll of honour that encompasses some of the superstar milers of the ages, and none more worthy than Frankel, the winner in 2011 and 2012.
In the shadow of the Duke Of Richmond’s ancestral home, Goodwood House, racegoers on a clear summer day can relax with a cooling refreshment beside the paddock and look over a sparkling sea to the Isle Of Wight, some 30 miles away.
And when viewing the action from the superb Gordon and Lennox enclosures racegoers are greeted by a verdant panorama of rolling countryside, with not a house or building to be seen. This is a picture perfect setting for English horse racing at its very best.
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| Stradivarius and jockey Frankie Dettori celebrating the Yorkshire Cup win (Credit: Racing Post) |
Tuesday’s bill of fayre provides a mount watering aperitif to what is to come, with the Qatar Goodwood Cup elevated to Group 1 status and hosting the undisputed champion of the staying division in STRADIVARIUS. Seeking back-to-back victories in the two mile contest, the John Gosden-trained 5yo is opposed by Melbourne Cup hero CROSS COUNTER, who looked a doubtful stayer when fourth to the champ in last month’s Gold Cup, but should make more of a race of it over this shorter trip. Read our full preview here!
The Group 2 Lennox Stakes precedes the Cup and here Sir Michael Stoute’s rapid improver ZAAKI seeks to better his short head defeat by the ill-fated Beat The Bank in Ascot’s Summer Mile.
Heading the opposition to Zaaki are HEY GAMAN and SPACE TRAVELLER, both of whom are seven furlong specialists.
Wednesday’s Qatar Sussex Stakes carried more than £1 million in prizemoney and once again Gosden holds the ace card in TOO DARN HOT.
Last season’s champion juvenile colt has experienced a mixed bag of fortune this year, being beaten in both the English and Irish 2,000 Guineas before hacking up over seven furlongs at Deauville. The unstoppable Frankie Dettori is on the back of Lady Lloyd-Webber’s charge, with the combination heading the Hollywoodbets market at 5-4.
St James’s Palace Stakes winner CIRCUS MAXIMUS forms a twin spearhead from Coolmore with I CAN FLY and the former is generally regarded as the main threat to Too Darn Hot.
It’s appropriate that on Ladies’ Day on Thursday the fillies take the limelight with the Group 1 Nassau Stakes promising a clash between the English and Irish 1,000 Guineas winner HERMOSA and French Oaks scorer CHANNEL. International interest is added to the mix by the presence of Japan’s DEIRDRE, who since finishing sixth to Crystal Ocean on the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot has resided in Newmarket.
The Group 2 Gordon Stakes is a recognised trial for the St Leger and set to feature Royal Ascot winner SOUTH PACIFIC, his stablemate CONSTANTINOPLE and the rapidly improving DAL HORRISGLE.
Alongside this, the best race for juveniles of the week is the Group 2 Richmond Stakes over six furlongs that can have a bearing on next year’s 2,000 Guineas market.
The Richard Hannon-trained THREAT and GUILDSMAN came back with Place money from the Coventry Stakes and the pair dominate the Richmond betting.
Four Group races grace the Friday card, including the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Glorious Stakes. This Group 3 brings South Africa to Goodwood with a sea of cornflower blue as Gaynor Rupert hosts a race worth £100,000 that will potentially bring together some top older horses such as MIRAGE DANCER and COMMUNIQUE.
On Saturday, the traditional betting extravaganza is for the Unibet Stewards’ Cup.
One of the market leaders is SPANISH CITY who had to skip the big handicap at Ascot on Saturday owing to unsuitable ground. Roger Varian’s charge has been unlucky not to win a decent prize this season and granted fast conditions is expected to drop back to sprinting in this.
– Written by Neil Morrice
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