Harbour Watch carefully chosen for the Middle Park Stakes by trainer Richard Hannon
The unbeaten 2-year-old colt, Harbour Watch, is another speedy colt from Richard Hannon’s arsenal, and it looks as if Hannon will not hesitate to deploy his QIPCO 2,000 Guineas' favourite in the upcoming Group 1 Middle Park Stakes on 8 October, 2011, at
Newmarket.
It was a bit of predicament for trainer Richard Hannon that where could his colt extend his unbeaten run to 4 of 4, because on the same day as the 6 furlong Middle Park Stakes, a tempting 7 furlong racing event is set to go to Newmarket, Group 1 Dubai Dewhurst
Stakes.
Richard Hannon preferred 6 furlongs over 7 furlongs naturally, due to Harbour Watch's maiden stakes' win.
Harbour Watch has done exceptionally well on the 6 furlong distance, and he has been chosen to run once again on his favoured distance.
The son of Acclamation out of Gorband by Woodman, Harbour Watch, is already a general favourite, 8 to 1 for the next year’s QIPCO 2,000 Guineas, mainly because of his easy win in the Group 2 Richmond Stakes at Goodwood Park.
Entirely for colts and geldings, Harbour Watch, staring down the distance of 6 furlongs under jockey Richard Hughes on a ground labelled good to firm, broke well and chased leaders to begin with.
Richard Hughes rode the colt skilfully and the effort was there from Harbour Watch entering final 2 furlongs.
Under strong drive from Hughes, Harbour Watch increased the intensity as he was still chasing leaders with a furlong remaining.
However, broke through the lot and led inside the final furlong, and spurted past opponents to drew clear of them with final 100 yards to go.
Understandably the best race he will run in a while, and he was well in command towards the finish and won the race 2 ¼ lengths over Bannock on 29 July, 2011, in a field of ten horses.
On the Future Champions day at Newmarket, Richard Hannon has two choices for Harbour Watch, but Hannon is extremely keen to run his unbeaten colt in the shorter distance to enhance his chances of winning over his favoured distance.
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