Saptapadi's path could be golden

13 April 2012

Saptapadi could be on his way to Royal Ascot if he lives up to expectations in the Group 2 Henry II Stakes at Sandown on Thursday evening.

The brother of high-class middle-distance winner Patkai won a 12-furlong maiden at Doncaster on his last start and trainer Sir Michael Stoute was significantly impressed to put him up in grade.

Peter Reynolds, manager of Ballymacoll Stud, who own the lightly-raced four-year-old, said: "We want to see how good he really is.

"He has an Ascot Gold Cup [17 June] entry and he looks a nice horse. He's a really well made individual, whose dam is an unraced sister to multiple Group One winner Islington.

"We hope he'll be as good as his breeding suggests but breeding horses involves a bit of guesswork."

Royal Ascot could also be on the agenda for Dermot Weld's Bethrah after her narrow triumph in the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh yesterday.

Just a head and a neck separated the 16-1 winner from Anna Salai and Music Show and she could now run in the Coronation Stakes on 18 June.

Trainer Weld said: "She is tough, genuine and a very progressive filly and has battled her way forward. I need to talk to Angus Gold, Sheikh Hamdan's racing manager, and Sheikh Hamdan himself and we'll make a plan.

"But she might go 10 furlongs next as I don't see her just limited to a mile."

Meanwhile, Aidan O'Brien strengthened his grip on this year's Investec Derby after Jan Vermeer provided him with a 10th victory in the Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh yesterday.

The colt is 5-1 with Ladbrokes for the Epsom Classic on 5 June after his near two-length victory. O'Brien said: "We have Cape Blanco, St Nicholas Abbey, Midas Touch and this one and in an ideal world we'd like to divide them between Epsom and France."

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Saptapadi's path could be golden

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