Field Of Ten Remain In Phoenix

Following Tuesday’s forfeit stage ten juveniles remain in the mix for Europe’s first 2-year-old Group 1 race, the Keeneland Phoenix S. at The Curragh this Sunday. Royal Ascot winners Buratino (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), trained by Mark Johnston, and Aidan O’Brien’s Washington DC (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) head the field on achievements to date but it will be far from a two horse race with many unexposed types due to line up. Four UK trained horses remain including the Gay Kelleway trained Zebstar (Ire) (Zebedee {GB}) and the trainer has turned to Pat Smullen to steer her charge, seen only once when winning a Newmarket maiden on debut back in May. “Zebstar’s in good form,” reported Kelleway. “Sunday will be a massive step up for him obviously but the race he won at Newmarket has really worked out well and a lot of winners have come out of it. His work has been very good and the owners are very sporting and want to have a crack at it.” David Wachman will bid to continue his fine run this season with fillies and has left in Most Beautiful (GB) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) who looked a very smart type when winning the G3 Grangecon Stud S. on her last outing.