Burn the Turf

BURN THE TURF 
Newbury plays host to the sprinting juveniles today, with Qatar Racing and Meikle Ben Stables’ Strath Burn (GB) (Equiano {Fr}) bidding to cement his burgeoning reputation in the G2 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef S. Following a clear-cut maiden success on debut over five furlongs here July 3, the bay was denied by just a half- length by Kool Kompany (Ire) (Jeremy) in the G2 Prix Robert Papin over a half-furlong further at Maisons-Laffitte July 20. “This race has always been the plan, as we were keen not to over-race him this season,” trainer Charlie Hills told PA Sport. “He’s a horse we really like and he’ll be even better next season. We’ve been pleased with his work at home and he looks to have a nice chance.” Unbeaten so far and the last rival to get the better of Strath Burn’s classy stable companion Cotai Glory (GB) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) is Paul Jacobs’ Limato (Ire) (Tagula {Ire}), who was clearly the better of the two when they clashed in the Listed Rose Bowl S. over this track and trip last time July 18. After being forced to sidestep the G2 Gimcrack S. at York last month due to a bad scope, conditioner Henry Candy is taking a cautious approach. “His form is good and he’s obviously a good horse,” he told PA Sport. “He’s had two courses of antibiotics and his training has been a bit stop-start, so I’d just be a bit worried in that regard. He seems well now, but you’d just have to be a little worried how much it has affected him. I mustn’t be too downbeat, though, as he’s a very exciting horse.” 
The unexposed types will be tested by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum’s Jungle Cat (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}), who has been either second or third in four consecutive Group 2 races, and also Al Shaqab Racing’s June 19 G2 Norfolk S. scorer Baitha Alga (Ire) (Fast Company {Ire}). Inexplicably poor when last of nine in the Gimcrack in the interim Aug. 23, trainer Richard Hannon is hoping for a return to his prior best from the colt, who is forced to carry a penalty for his Royal Ascot exploits. “Nothing came to light as to why Baitha Alga ran so poorly in the Gimcrack, but we have suffered some surprise reverses in 2-year-old races at York before and just put it down to a bad day at the office,” he commented. “That is the only blip on his CV–his overall form is very sound and he is a real professional so, despite the 3-pound penalty, we feel that he will run his race. He worked very nicely under Kieran O’Neill on Tuesday, switching off beautifully, which he didn’t do at York.”