Harbour Watch and Bannock to go head to head in the John Sunley Memorial Criterion Stakes
The Group 3 John Sunley Memorial Criterion Stakes will be hosted at Newmarket on 30th June, 2012, which will give the Richard Hannon trained, Harbour Watch, a chance to prove his worth yet again.
With a hat-trick already in the bag, Acclamation’s son will take on the seven furlong track to make his record far more appealing.
The bay colt has not competed since July last year, when he entered as the evening’s favourite in the Group 2 Tanqueray Richmond Stakes at Goodwood, and claimed the victory over the Mark Johnston trained, Bannock.
Now, the three-year-old will be making a comeback, and he has already gained a significant amount of attention but connections are still unsure if he will compete in the event based on his form.
Foaled by mare, Gorband, Harbour Watch was scratched from the Dewhurst Stakes, and could not compete in the 2,000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket as well.
Due to his injuries, he missed the Royal Ascot since connections wanted to give him more time to recover. Running in this upcoming event is not confirmed as the trainer stated to the press:
"I've left him in the race but I don't know if he runs yet -it depends how he works on Wednesday."
Provided the H. Robin Heffer and Qatar Bloodstock owned runner does well in his work-outs, he will renew the rivalry and take on, Bannock, again.
Bannock, son of Bertolini, out of mare Laoub, has not been in the right form lately, and has fallen off the charts a great deal in his last two starts.
The bay colt competed in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, but could not keep up with the competition on the seven furlong track, and finished fifteenth in a line-up of twenty-two runners.
Red Art, who is under the training of Charles Hills, will also make a comeback after an injury.
The three-year-old previously competed in the Group 3 Worthington's Highfield Social Club Stakes (Registered As Horris Hill) at Newbury in October, 2011.
The trainer looks optimistic about his form as he commented:
"We're looking forward to seeing Red Art back in action as he suffered a setback during the spring."
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