Waseet can deliver evidence in Classic Trial
It would be an understatement to suggest that John Dunlop has seen everything that racing has to offer – or throw – at a trainer.
At 70, the patrician Dunlop is in his 44th year with a licence and approaching 3500 winners but appears unconcerned with the former figure and quietly determined about improving upon the latter; although not to the point of taking anything for granted.
Last week Elusive Pimpernel won the Craven Stakes at Newmarket in a manner that reflected his cramped odds but, even in the moment of victory, Dunlop stood shy of the bullish statements which pervade other sports. “One’s always apprehensive about these things,” he said thoughtfully. “When you’re anticipating, and hoping and praying for things – and they don’t always come off. They most often don’t, so it’s always very much of a relief and a pleasure when they do come off.”
Waseet has long been held in high regard at Castle stables and may well come off best in the Group Three bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown Park. He finished third to Simenon – a rival again in this race – on his debut at Newmarket, but Waseet seems to have made the greater progression.
He easily won his maiden at Sandown in August and then ran a sound race when stepped up to Group Two level to finish one-and-a-quarter lengths second to Joshua Tree in the Royal Lodge Stakes in September. His main rival is likely to be Chabal, who makes his debut for Saeed bin Suroor having previously been trained in Ireland by Jim Bolger. Chabal is given an edge according to official handicap ratings, after he finished a neck second to Kingsfort in the Group One National Stakes at the Curragh last autumn. However he blew his opportunity in the Dewhurst Stakes by pulling far too hard in the early stages and this race may well develop into a tactical battle in the early stages, which could prove costly for Chabal chances.
Trying to assess the chances of a horse running in a handicap after making a winning debut is never easy – least of all for the handicapper.
A year ago John Gosden won the bet365.com Esher Cup with the lightly raced Racketeer last year and attempts the same with Fallen Idol, who looked the part when winning his maiden at Kempton in September, beating a pair of Bin Suroor runners who have done the form no harm by both winning since.
At the time Gosden admitted that the colt had no “fancy” entries but, while he is still something of a work in progress, the fact that he has been entered for the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot hints that the progress is pleasing.
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