Already replete with potentially high-class middle-distance colts for 2018, Ballydoyle look to extend their stranglehold on next year's Derby picture on Saturday as Nelson (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) takes in Newmarket's G2 Juddmonte Royal Lodge S., a “Win And You're In” for the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar in November. Impressive when emerging as the stable's clear-best in Leopardstown's G3 Golden Fleece S, or Champions Juvenile S., over this trip Sept. 9, the son of Moonstone (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}) has all the credentials for next year's blue riband and defeat would be a surprise here.
Qatar Racing's unbeaten Roaring Lion (Kitten's Joy) followed a debut win in Frankel and Motivator's maiden on the July Course Aug. 18 with a six-length demonstration in a novice contest on Kempton's Polytrack Sept. 8 and could pose a threat if Nelson underperforms. Trainer John Gosden is unhappy with the weather and said, “I don't want to see too much more rain, as he is best on good ground. He did it well last time at Kempton, although he had a good look at the big screen. He is a grand horse and we like him a lot.”
Mark Johnston saddles the Aug. 25 Listed Stonehenge S. scorer Mildenberger (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}), who showed in that Salisbury mile contest he possesses abundant stamina, while Brian Meehan relies on the authoritative July 7 Sandown conditions winner Petrus (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}). “He's in some nice races because I think he's worth putting in,” he said. “If he steps up here we might have a dilemma next year about where to run him. It would be no surprise to anyone here if he wins the Royal Lodge, we might look at the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf if he does.”
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