Ed Dunlop hopes that Native Khan win Racing Post Trophy
Two Group One victories already makes this the most memorable season for Ed Dunlop in six years, but little feels better in autumn than a major victory for a two-year-old.
A juvenile with Classic pretentions helps combat the chill of a Newmarket winter and Native Khan will attempt to do just that when he runs in the Group One Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster on Saturday.
After the false alarm of last week when Dunlop had booked champion jockey-elect Paul Hanagan to ride his dual Oaks winner Snow Fairy in the Champion Stakes at Newmarket, only to pull her out of the race, Hanagan was on the gallops this week as native Khan had his final blow-out over six-and-a-half furlongs on the Al Bahathri gallop.
Speaking on his website, Dunlop said: ''It was a useful exercise having Paul down as Native Khan can be a bit lazy at home, and the getting-to-know-you session is all both horse and rider need between now and Saturday.”
Native Khan was also a late scratch from the Dewhurst Stakes, when Dunlop reasoned that the likes of Frankel, Dream Ahead and Saamidd were making it look a very hot contest, but this race is hardly looking much easier. “Who knows whether we made the right decision in swerving the Dewhurst as two of the big three failed to fire,” Dunlop said. “But we look like getting better ground at Doncaster than we encountered at Newmarket and, being such a good-actioned individual, Native Khan will appreciate it if the going continues to dry out.
“On paper it might not look so tough as did the Dewhurst, but it is still very competitive and both the Irish horses [Casamento and Dunboyne Express] have solid credentials, as does Brian Meehan’s Titus Mills.”
Native Khan’s own credentials come from his victory in the Group Three Solario Stakes at Sandown in August. Eddie Ahern got the ride that day because Kieren Fallon, who had ridden the colt to his debut victory at Newmarket’s July meeting, was riding in America and Dunlop found himself searching for a new rider because they were both unavailable.
“Eddie Ahern was never going to be back from injury in time, and, while we had hoped to get Kieren Fallon, who was aboard when Native Khan made such an impressive winning debut, he has opted for Titus Mills, so we have been forced to look elsewhere,” Dunlop explained. “Both Ryan Moore and Richard Hughes, who have ridden Snow Fairy for us this season, are at Newbury, so we moved quickly to snap up Paul, who was due to ride the filly in the Champion Stakes last week until we did a U-turn.
“Paul has ridden some good winners for us, so I am delighted to have him on board, and they seemed to hit it off straight away which is encouraging.”
Native Khan’s owners, Vefa Ibrahim Araci and his daughter, Pinar, need no encouragement to bolster their enthusiasm. Less than a year ago Gifted Apakay won their first race as owners in a maiden at Lingfield and now they are in the big time. “When we were looking for a name for Native Khan we thought long and hard as it was important to get the right one,” Pinar explained. “Native Khan is the translation of my grandfather’s name. He was truly a great man and was loved by all, and it is only fitting that the horse we named after him is looking pretty special, too.”
“We had considered the Dewhurst, especially as October 16th was the anniversary of my grandfather’s death, but Ed felt that the ground might be too soft and maybe the opposition too strong, so we decided to wait for Doncaster, and now we all have our fingers crossed. Looking ahead, perhaps the dream will continue through the winter and, being French-bred, obviously the Prix Jockey-Club at Chantilly looks tempting with the premiums it carries, but Native Khan has also been entered for The Curragh and he might prove to be a Guineas horse as well as one for the Derby. It’s all so very exciting.”
A win on Saturday would be a warming memory to carry through the winter.
Tags: