Frankie Dettori called up for Casamento in Racing Post Trophy
Michael Halford knows how good Casamento is. After the colt won the Group Two Beresford Stakes at the Curragh a month ago the trainer described him as “the best horse I’ve had, by a long way”.
However, he also knows that Saturday’s run in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster could be a first Group One winner for the trainer but also a parting of the ways. Casamento’s owner, Sheikh Mohammed, was happy enough to part with the £17,500 to have his horse supplemented for the race. And, with the jockeys who have ridden Casamento before not available, has provided the services of his own retained jockey, Frankie Dettori, in what could amount to a test drive before Casamento is subsumed into the Godolphin yard.
There is a strong presence from Ireland in the 11 runners still engaged for the final British Group One race of the season with Aidan O’Brien having a choice between Seville, Treasure Beach and Master of Hounds while Kevin Prendergast sends over his unbeaten colt, Dunboyne Express.
If the maxim that knowledge is power holds true then Declan McDonogh should have a fair idea of what he will be up against when he rides Dunboyne Express. The jockey was in the saddle when Casamento was beaten a head by Pathfork in the Group One National Stakes at the Curragh in September and has ridden Dunboyne Express to both his wins, the last of which was an eight-length win in the Anglesey Stakes.
Assessing the two colts McDonogh said: “They pretty similar. Both by Shamardal, both show great heart and both have great chances. Casamento’s very good horse –it’ll be close between them – but I wouldn’t swap my horse anything.
“He’s in great form. He just did a routine canter this morning, moved well and I’m very happy with him. He’ll do his last bit of work in the morning and he’ll leave in Thursday for the race.”
Dunboyne Express has not run since the Anglesey in July, having been sidelined with a minor problem, but his reputation has grown with the perfoamces of those he has beaten, such as Roderic O'Connor and Glor Na Mara – second and third respectively to Frankel in the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday. “When our fella won his maiden at Leopardstown, when he short-headed Master of Hounds, we were five lengths clear of Roderic O'Connor –albeit Roderic O'Connor has probably improved a good bit since his maiden run – but it was nice to see him run very well in the Dewhurst,” McDonogh said.
“He’s a very uncompleted horse – there’s no great mystery about him – it’s A to B pretty simple with him. You can ride him any way and ground doesn’t really matter to him.”
Ground may not be a worry and McDonogh is equally unconcerned about the prospect of the step up to a mile after runs over six and seven furlongs. “I don’t think it’ll be a problem. He’s not a free horse – or do anything silly – he’s a straightforward ride and his pedigree suggest he’ll get a mile no problem.”
The jumps season is slowly taking centre stage and Monet’s Garden will attempt to clinch a third victory in the Grade Two totescooop6 Old Roan Chase at Aintree on Saturday. The 12-year-old has a great record at the track, with four wins from eight starts, including when successful in the Grade One Melling Chase in 2007.
The opening race on the card, the toteplacepot Handicap Hurdle, could see the British debut for Kauto Star’s half-brother, Kauto Relko, who would making his first start for new trainer Rachel Hobbs.
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