Brittain’s best in Chesham Stakes
Zaidan marked himself out as one for the future when he won the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot. Which is probably just as well because his trainer, Clive Brittain, has some bold plans for the colt.
After Zaidan, who burst clear of his field with about one-and-a-half furlongs to run, had beaten the fast-finishing Sonning Rose by three lengths for Seb Sanders, Brittain announced that he could be trained for next year’s Kentucky Derby.
Brittain is no stranger to Churchill Downs and came closer than any European trainer to winning the race that the Americans call the “Run for the Roses” when Bold Arrangement finished second to Ferdinand in 1986. The colt seemed to relish the step up in distance from the five furlongs over which he won at Doncaster last month but now Brittain is relishing the prospect of chasing a prize that has been on his wish list for nearly 30 years.
“As always, being the dreamer, our long term plan is the Kentucky Derby. At Doncaster and the way he is at home, he is so switched off and laid back, but I have seen a different horse here. He has got himself a little bit excited but there is plenty of time to settle him down.
“We have always thought he was a decent horse and today was the proving. I was bit concerned because he was on his toes and squealing in the paddock, so he revealed a side to himself that we don’t see at home.
“He was a bit keen cantering down to the start but the racecourse is what it is all about. The proof of the pudding is here. We’ll probably go for a Group race now and I said that next time I went back to Kentucky with a horse, it will be one with a chance and this one could be it.
“I’ve got a fist of very nice two-year-old colts and I’ve been sitting, deciding which one would go for the Guineas, which one for the Kentucky Derby and all the rest of it. If Saeed Manana and Sheikh Mohammed give the go-ahead for Kentucky, we could do it.”
Sanders made smooth progress on the Street Cry colt, stripping paint down the stands’ side rail before unleashing his mount between horses to take the lead above the distance.
“He was very edgy when I got on him and, to be fair, it took me about four or five furlongs cantering down to get him where I wanted because he set off quite strongly,” he said.
“He was getting edgy at the start so my plan was to get in straight away and when they headed for the stands’ rail, I thought that he was a nice horse and hopefully we would get the run. I always had plenty of horse to get out at any stage that I wanted.
“I rode him first time over five furlongs and it took two furlongs for the penny to drop. He has done the same today as he did on that occasion - he has just scythed through them and won very well.
“To be honest, he took me there too soon and travelling too well but when the gap appeared two out, I had to take it. I would have loved to have been dropped in but, when the gaps come at that stage of the race, you have got to take the opportunity when it comes.”
Mick Channon reckoned that Sonning Rose could still be at least a Listed winner in time and Kenny McPeek, trainer of third-placed Casper’s Touch, expressed himself satisfied with his trip. McPeek’s Tiz My Time had filled the same position in Friday’s Albany Stakes while Noble’s Promise came fifth in Tuesday’s St James’s Palace Stakes. “Coming over here was a test for us. I knew my horses had talent but I wasn’t sure how deep the water was here,” McPeek said. “And if I’ve got good enough horses I’ll be back here again.
“I actually thought this horse would win today so his good run is no surprise to me. He’s professional and easy to handle and if somebody offered the right amount of money for him we’d entertain anything.
“But the plan is to probably ship him back to New York and run him in something at Saratoga.”
And prepare for a possible meeting Zaidan next season.
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