Saeed bin Suroor, the Godolphin trainer, will be able to assess the Gold Cup prospects of Darley Sun and Sabotage in the Group Two Blue Square Henry II Stakes at Sandown Park today which is a leading trial for next month's showpiece meeting at Royal Ascot. Darley Sun, the progressive stayer, makes his seasonal and Godolphin debut in the extended two-mile contest having ended the 2009 campaign with an emphatic five-length success in the Cesarewitch Heritage Handicap over two and a quarter miles at Newmarket in October.
Sabotage, meanwhile, steps back up in distance after keeping on to be a length and a quarter second to Godolphin's Claremont in a 13-furlong Listed race at Newbury on earlier this month. Frankie Dettori is in the saddle on Darley Sun, while Ted Durcan takes the ride on Sabotage. "Darley Sun is a nice horse and he has been working well so far this year," said bin Suroor. "This will be his first race for us and he is in good heart at the moment. I am looking forward to seeing how he gets on before deciding whether to head to Ascot with him.
"Sabotage has the advantage of having a run in Britain already this season and he came out of his Newbury race in good order. "He won over two miles in Dubai and I am hopeful that he can run a nice race on Thursday." Meanwhile, the Al-Quoz stable is doubly represented in the Group Three Blue Square Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown Park today, with Peligroso and Prince Siegfried lining up in the 10-furlong contest.
Peligroso makes his second start of the year after taking the runner-up spot on his seasonal return in a 10-furlong conditions race at Lingfield Park earlier this month. Prince Siegfried, making his first start of the season, was a length runner-up on his latest start in a 10-furlong Listed contest at Newmarket in October. Dettori takes the ride on Peligroso, with Durcan taking the leg up on Prince Siegfried.
"Peligroso is physically a better horse this year compared to last season," added bin Suroor. "I would prefer to have easy ground for him but he has been working nicely and he goes to Sandown in good order. Prince Siegfried is making his first start of the season and he will improve for the run. "He would also like a bit of cut in the ground but I have been pleased with his preparation and I am looking forward to seeing him run a good race." * Godolphin.com
