Classic Material?

With the St Leger looming larger now, Wednesday's G3 Neptune Investment Management Gordon S. at Goodwood is one of the first of the significant pointers to that Doncaster Classic, and this renewal has attracted a typically competitive line-up. Last year's G2 Vintage S. winner Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) bids to get back on track during a season of mixed fortunes, with a second in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly May 31 coming in between below-par efforts when sixth in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains at Longchamp May 10 and fifth in the G1 Irish Derby at The Curragh June 27. One who comes here on the back of a career-best is Peter Onslow and Gary Middlebrook's Medrano (GB) (Archipenko), who beat the re-opposing Prince Gagarin (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) by six lengths in Hamilton's Listed Glasgow S. over 11 furlongs July 17. “He handled the track well when he was third to Storm the Stars [in the Listed Cocked Hat S.] at Goodwood earlier in the year and I think he will enjoy the extra distance of the Gordon S.,” trainer David Brown commented. “His main aim this year will probably be the St Leger, but he needs to have a run before then.” Godolphin rely on the June 18 King George V S. winner Space Age (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}), who was subsequently second over that same Ascot track and trip in a 12-furlong handicap July 11. “It's a step up in class for him, but I think he's earned it,” trainer Charlie Appleby commented. “He won well at Royal Ascot and when he was beaten there last time, I thought he still ran well, but was beaten by a nice horse. He had top weight that day and it was a good performance, so we'll see how he goes in this grade.”