Newcastle Aim For South Seas

Andrew Balding has penciled in a new race at Newcastle as a starting point for the high class Qatar Racing owned colt South Seas (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). The Burradon S., a mile contest worth £100,000 and scheduled for Apr. 14 is the plan for the 3-year-old who was unbeaten in his first three starts as a juvenile, including in the G3 Solario S. at Sandown last August. “I'm delighted with South Seas and he'll probably go to Newcastle for the new conditions race there,” said Balding. “He's pretty forward and will be pretty straight for it.” South Seas finished sixth to Churchill (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 Dubai Dewhurst S. at Newmarket in October before finding only Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}) too good in the G1 Criterium International at Saint-Cloud later that month. That form has been franked by Thunder Snow's impressive display in winning the G3 UAE 2000 Guineas at Meydan last month.

Balding also had news of another of last year's smart juveniles Poet's Vanity (GB) (Poet's Voice {GB}). The trainer hopes she can develop into a Classic contender based on her last run when she beat Glitter Girl (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) in the G3 Oh So Sharp S. at Newmarket last October. Speaking to the Racing Post Balding said, “If she's ready in time, I'd like to run Poet's Vanity in the [G3] Nell Gwyn [Apr. 18]. She's a big filly and it would help if I could get a run into her before the [1000] Guineas. We've just started fast work with her and so far, so good. They're two fine-looking horses and I couldn't be happier at this stage.”