Autumn Test For Ghaiyyath

On a Future Champions Day suitably graced by big-money purchases, Godolphin's €1.1-million Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) is prominent in the considerations for the G3 Masar Godolphin Autumn S. at Newmarket on Saturday. Successful by five lengths in a first-time hood over this track and trip on Sept. 28, the half-brother to Zhukova (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) is certain to have his mettle tested here. “I was pleased with Ghaiyyath's course-and-distance victory and he came out of that race very well,” he said. “This looks the logical next step and I am confident that he is going into the race in very good order. I am hopeful of a very bold showing.”

Khalid Abdullah's Purser (Mizzen Mast) is an intriguing candidate, having won a Lingfield novice stakes by nine lengths over this trip on the Polytrack nine days ago and trainer John Gosden said, “He is in good form and he had a nice little warm-up run the other day at Lingfield. He needs to strengthen through the winter, as he is still quite unfurnished. I'd like to think we will run here then call it a day for the year. He has got a good mind on him, but he is a bit of a frame of a horse. He should be alright going up to the mile.” Aidan O'Brien saddles the Oct. 4 Naas maiden winner Flag of Honour (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Sept. 26 Tipperary maiden scorer Zabriskie (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), while Mark Johnston relies on 'TDN Rising Star' Dream Today (Ire) (Dream Ahead), who took the Convivial Maiden S. at York on Aug. 25 before finishing only fifth in Doncaster's G2 Champagne S. at Doncaster. “He won really well and you don't win that race on your debut unless you're pretty smart,” the trainer's son and assistant Charlie Johnston commented. “Bizarrely, he was probably more green on his second start at Doncaster than he was on his first run. He just wandered around a little bit when he came under pressure and we have to hope he learns more from getting beat than he did from winning. It's still a tough ask, but we're confident our horse is a group horse in the making and we think these are the races he should be competing in.”