By Tom Frary
Like the Fred Darling earlier on Saturday's Newbury card, the G3 Al Basti Equiworld Supporting Greatwood Greenham S. featured a four-horse finish which was only decided in the final half furlong and it was the Gredley family's James Garfield (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) who prevailed. Successful over six furlongs here in the G2 Mill Reef S. in September, he was one of many who failed to shine at Del Mar when 10th in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf in November but started off fresh and keen in the hands of Frankie Dettori in this 2000 Guineas trial. Racing behind the clear leader Hey Gaman (GB) (New Approach {Ire}), the 3-1 second favourite got to that wayward rival with over 100 yards remaining and stayed on strongest as the 7-4 favourite Expert Eye (GB) (Acclamation {GB}) earned second 3/4 of a length away. “That was a great performance and he's a very exciting colt,” Tim Gredley said. “He never got much of a run in the Breeders' Cup, but had a great winter. I'll have a chat with the trainer, but it will either be Royal Ascot and back to six furlongs or the [2000] Guineas. Knowing dad [Bill Gredley], it'll probably be the Guineas.”
Winning trainer George Scott was unambiguous about James Garfield's next start. “Anyone looking at him in the paddock could see he was fit and ready today and I liked the way he finished off his race so well,” he commented. “His attitude, his will to win and his toughness make him what he is and he'll be my first Classic runner in the Guineas in two weeks. It's just a dream for me and I feel so very lucky. We were going away from the others at the line and Frankie was delighted. I'm pretty confident Frankie will ride him at Newmarket, as he's a close friend of the Gredleys.”
Third on his black-type bow in the Listed Windsor Castle S. over five furlongs at Royal Ascot in June, James Garfield was over five-lengths fourth behind Expert Eye in the G2 Vintage S. at Glorious Goodwood before being nosed out by Wells Farhh Go (Ire) (Farhh {GB}) in York's G3 Acomb S. tackling this trip in August. Dropping back to six to break the track record in the Mill Reef, the bay was denied a clear passage at Del Mar so his first effort at a mile proved inconclusive. Should connections opt to attempt the Guineas instead of or as well as the Commonwealth Cup, there is ample justification in his pedigree for the bid. His dam Whazzat (GB) (Daylami {Ire}), who raced in these Gredley silks, was able to win the Listed Chesham S. which is often a staying test so early in the juvenile program and is a half to the G3 Premio Sergio Cumani scorer Whazzis (GB) (Desert Prince {Ire}) and the dam of the GII Sands Point S. winner and GI Belmont Oaks Invitational S. third Uni (GB) (More Than Ready). The second dam Wosaita (GB) (Generous {Ire}) is a half to the MGSW Chiang Mai (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), later the dam of the G1 Pretty Polly S. winner Chinese White (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}), while another of her half-siblings is the G1 Prix de Diane heroine Rafha (GB) (Kris {GB}). Interestingly, this family of Invincible Spirit (Ire) and Kodiac (GB) is also the family of the current 2000 Guineas favourite Gustav Klimt (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Whazzat's 2-year-old filly by Sea the Stars (Ire) named M Antoinette (GB) was bought back for 260,000gns at Tattersalls October, while she also has a yearling colt by Golden Horn (GB).
Sir Michael Stoute was pleased with the effort of Expert Eye, who without showing the same sparkle as he had at Glorious Goodwood last term was staying on to the line. “He went through the stalls much better. He has done a lot of work with Gary [Witheford] and his son,” he explained. “He would prefer quicker ground. We will take our time before deciding which Guineas to go for.”
Saturday, Newbury, Britain
AL BASTI EQUIWORLD SUPPORTING GREATWOOD GREENHAM S.-G3, £60,000, NBY, 4-21, 3yo, c/g, 7fT, 1:26.98, g/s.
1–JAMES GARFIELD (IRE), 126, c, 3, by Exceed and Excel (Aus)
1st Dam: Whazzat (GB) (SW-Eng), by Daylami (Ire)
2nd Dam: Wosaita (GB), by Generous (Ire)
3rd Dam: Eljazzi, by Artaius
(£60,000 RNA Ylg '16 GOUKPR). O-W J & T C O Gredley; B-Stetchworth & Middle Park Studs Ltd (IRE); T-George Scott; J-Lanfranco Dettori. £34,026. Lifetime Record: 8-3-1-2, $160,132. *1/2 to The Shrew (GB) (Dansili {GB}), MSP-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Expert Eye (GB), 126, c, 3, Acclamation (GB)–Exemplify (GB), by Dansili (GB). O-Khalid Abdullah; B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd (GB); T-Sir Michael Stoute. £12,900.
3–Hey Gaman (GB), 126, c, 3, New Approach (Ire)–Arsaadi (Ire), by Dubawi (Ire). (100,000gns RNA Ylg '16 TATOCT). O-Sultan Ali; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd (GB); T-James Tate. £6,456.
Margins: 3/4, NO, 3/4. Odds: 3.00, 1.75, 3.00.
Also Ran: Raid (Ire), Fighting Irish (Ire), Cold Stare (Ire), Connect (GB). Scratched: Arrogant (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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