Elm Park to gallop at Newbury

Qatar Racing's G1 Racing Post Trophy winner Elm Park (GB) (Phoenix Reach {Ire}) will fine-tune his preparation for the G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas with a racecourse gallop at Newbury Friday according to trainer Andrew Balding. Speaking at a press event at his Kingsclere stables Tuesday, Balding voiced upbeat comments about his charge. “I can't remember the last time we went through the winter with a 2-year-old as exciting as this and he has just got the physical make-up to be even better,” he said. “We are very pleased with him. His dad [a multiple international Group/Grade 1 scorer for Balding] improved with age and hopefully he will be the same.” The Kingsclere homebred won four of his five outings as a juvenile including the G2 Juddmonte Royal Lodge S. and G1 Racing Post Trophy. Initially campaigned under the Kingsclere Racing Club banner, he was partially purchased by Sheikh Fahad Al Thani's Qatar Racing on the back of an impressive listed win at Salisbury. 

“[Elm Park] will be galloping after racing with Andrea [Atzeni] at Newbury on Friday, all being well, and if that goes to plan he will be off to the Guineas,” Balding continued. “I think the gallop should put him spot-on as he's probably 80 per cent now and after the gallop he will be 90 per cent–we are just about there.”