Saturday's G1 Coral Eclipse winner Hawkbill (Kitten's Joy) has no shortage of options for the rest of the season and his trainer Charlie Appleby is already looking forward to another top level challenge for the Godolphin colt, who has won his last six starts.
“He's doing so well at a mile and a quarter at the moment there's a possibility he'll stay at that trip and go for the [G1] Juddmonte International or the [G1] Irish Champion S.,” said Appleby.
The trainer believes Hawkbill could be even more effective over a mile and a half, a trip he could try later in the year.
“We could eke out a bit more improvement stepping him up in trip and we're confident he'd get the mile and a half,” Appleby continued. “We saw the best of him in the last two furlongs at Sandown. First and foremost we'll see how he comes out of the race. He's had a nice race at Ascot, then he's had to battle away yesterday.”
Hawkbill has already shown his ability to handle different terrain, having won on both artificial surfaces at Lingfield and Kempton and on soft turf in his most recent starts. Given his pedigree, Appleby feels a return to normal summer ground can see Hawkbill improve further.
“I'd be confident a sounder surface should suit him better,” he concluded. “He's a Kitten's Joy colt and an extremely good mover. He's an athlete.”
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