Trials provide clues for St Leger at Doncaster

21/8/09

The trials season for the Ladbrokes St Leger is well underway and there have been some informative clues over the past fortnight.
 
Godolphin, successful with Classic Cliche (1995), Nedawi (1998), Mutafaweq (1999) and Rule Of Law (2004), looks to have another live contender on its hands in Kite Wood who has certainly proved his stamina with authoritative victories in the Group Three Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket in July and most recently the Group Three Geoffrey Freer Stakes over an extended mile and five furlongs at Newbury on August 15. The son of Galileo currently heads the market at 5/2 with Ladbrokes.
 
The Group Two Ladbrokes Great Voltigeur Stakes at York is one of the leading Ladbrokes St Leger trials, having thrown up the St Leger victor no less than nine times since 1986. This year’s renewal of the 12-furlong contest on 18 August went the way of Monitor Closely, who proved four and a half lengths too strong for Godolphin’s Mastery. Trained by Peter Chapple-Hyam, Monitor Closely does not currently hold an entry for the Ladbrokes St Leger but there is a £45,000 supplementary entry stage at the five-day confirmation stage on Monday, 7 September, should connections wish to head to Town Moor on Saturday, 12 September. In addition to Mastery, other Ladbrokes St Leger entries that ran in the Ladbrokes Great Voltigeur Stakes include Father Time (3rd), Above Average (5th), Alwaary (6th) and Harbinger (7th).
 
Another horse to have run at York this week who could head to Doncaster is Changingoftheguard, who was denied a clear run when a fast-finishing second in the valuable Ebor Handicap over a mile and six furlongs. The Montjeu colt, a 10/1 chance with Ladbrokes, is one of 14 entries from the Aidan O’Brien stable, which is seeking a fourth Ladbrokes St Leger victory following Milan (2001), Brian Boru (2003) and Scorpion (2005). The O’Brien-trained contingent also includes Age Of Aquarius, runner-up in the Group One Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp last time out and the 7/2 second favourite with Ladbrokes. Other possible challengers from Ireland include the John Oxx-trained Mourayan, who completed his Ladbrokes St Leger preparation when second in the Group Three Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown on 13 August.
 
Further Ladbrokes St Leger pointers could come in the Listed Windflower March Stakes, run over a mile and six furlongs at Goodwood on Saturday, 29 August. Godolphin has indicated that Urban Poet, who rejoined the stable after a spell with Mark Johnston, is likely to run in this contest and could possibly be supplemented for the Ladbrokes St Leger depending on how he performs.
 
The next scratchings deadline for the Ladbrokes St Leger, the DFS Park Stakes and the DFS Champagne Stakes is on Tuesday, 25 August, details of which will be revealed on Wednesday, 26 August.