Saeed bin Suroor has something to Barq about at Kempton
At a time of the season when fast-ground turf form from the summer can be turned upside down by autumn going the all-weather tracks can be the one surface to provide a reliable guide.
Sea Change has already proved that he is very capable of acting on Polytrack and should be the one for the Betdaq Handicap at Kempton Park.
At 290,000gns as a yearling, the gelding has some way to go to balance the books but he managed a small return with an easy win in a handicap at Lingfield a month ago. Jeremy Noseda then ran him again quickly, under a penalty, at Goodwood 19 days ago. It may have been the switch to turf but more likely it was the uneven pace and undulating course that did for him and he should be able to handle the 9lb rise in the ratings back on the all-weather.
All-weather racing at Kempton may not be what Godolphin was originally designed for but, with five Group One winners on both sides of the Atlantic in just over a fortnight, Saeed bin Suroor is taking care of business at the glamour end of the market and Barq can do the same in the first division of the Bet Asian Handicaps - Betdaq Handicap.
Bin Suroor’s runners have a 38% strike-rate at the track and Barq, only out of the first three once in six career starts, looked to have found his range with a course and distance win three weeks ago.
Luca Cumani has a 25% strike-rate at Salisbury over the last five seasons – 44% for this year alone – and Isobar can add to that in the Bathwick Tyres "Season Finale" Handicap. Isobar has been a model of consistency in recent runs and only got run out close home at Kempton a fortnight ago.
That was over 11 furlongs and a return to more of a stamina trip is likely to play to his strengths.
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