Cox Stars Readying For Action

Clive Cox enjoyed his best ever season in 2016 both from a winners total and prize-money point of view and with a number of horses that helped the trainer achieve those results still in training this year, Cox is hopeful of building on that progress throughout the season. One horse that contributed significantly to the 2016 haul was My Dream Boat (Ire) (Lord Shanakill). The Paul & Clare Rooney owned entire was part of a Royal Ascot Group 1 double for Cox when he upset some more fancied rivals in the G1 Prince Of Wales's S. “I'm delighted My Dream Boat is staying in training and we are looking forward to exploring a mile and a half with him this year,” said Cox. “We will probably go to the [G3] Gordon Richards at Sandown [Apr. 28] with him first as he won that race last year. He loves the track and a mile and a quarter first time up would be a good idea.” My Dream Boat has yet to go beyond ten furlongs but his final outing last season when a staying on fifth to Almanzor (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in the G1 QIPCO Champion S. suggests further may suit, even if his pedigree disagrees (out of a Choisir (Aus) mare that won over six furlongs).

“The way he was clearly staying on in the Champion Stakes, I think there is every possibility he will get a mile and a half. The last two years he has kept his form well in the autumn so if he gets a mile and half next autumn that would be great, especially as he beat last year's Arc winner (Found) at Royal Ascot,” he added.

Profitable (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) was the other half of Cox's Royal Ascot double when he won the G1 King's Stand S. and the 5-year-old also remains with Cox despite his purchase by Godolphin. “I am over the moon Godolphin have decided to keep him in training and let him stay with us. He starts the campaign without a Group One penalty, which is helpful. We have every belief at the moment that he is stronger and better than ever.” Profitable has done all his winning and the majority of his racing over the minimum trip and Cox feels that familiar strategy is worth sticking to. “We did explore the six furlongs when he was fourth in the July Cup. It's very difficult to say he didn't get the trip but he is definitely a better horse over five. He will have a pretty much identical programme and it is very logical to start in the Palace House then follow the Temple and King's Stand route.”