If reputation was all there was to it, Rivet (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) would only need to turn up for Saturday's G2 At The Races Champagne S. at Doncaster such is the regard in which he is held by trainer William Haggas. Normally reticent and not one to hype his charges, the Yorkshire-born handler is making big noises about the winner of the valuable Convivial Maiden over this trip at York Aug. 19.
“I like him very much. I think he's got great potential,” Haggas said. “His work has been good and he's got a great temperament. The only concern I have at this stage is the Convivial has worked out appallingly [with four also-rans beaten subsequently]. I'm holding on to the fact that he won it easily. If he's a good horse, he ought to go very close.”
Heading the opposition are a pair of Godolphin representatives in Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}) and D'Bai (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who hail from the Saeed bin Suroor and Charlie Appleby stables responsible for four of the last seven winners of this prestigious affair.
Saeed bin Suroor, who saddled the successful Poet's Voice (GB) in 2009 and Saamidd (GB) (Street Cry {Ire}) a year later, puts forward the July 26 G2 Vintage S. runner-up Thunder Snow and he said, “He ran well last time, and he has been working well since. So far, I am very happy with him and I am looking for him to step up again in the Champagne, though he won't want much rain.”
Appleby won this with Outstrip (GB) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) in 2013 and Emotionless (Ire) (Shamardal) last year and said of D'bai, who beat Thursday's maiden runner-up Hydroxide (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) in a maiden over this trip at Newmarket last time July 23, “D'bai is a nice progressive horse who has run well in both his starts. It was quick ground for both those races and he has given me every indication at home that he would be better suited to soft conditions, so any rain would be welcome.”
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