Newmarket's key Classic trials get underway at the three-day Craven meeting from next Tuesday, with local trainer Ed Walker set to put an exciting colt to the test in Thursday's G3 Novae Bloodstock Insurance Craven S.
Stormy Antarctic (GB) (Stormy Atlantic) posted consecutive wins at Sandown and Newbury last August and September before ending his juvenile campaign in exciting fashion when beaten just a head by the Aidan O'Brien-trained Johannes Vermeer (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 Criterium International over 10 furlongs at Saint-Cloud. The pair could well meet again on the Rowley Mile next week as they both feature among the 14 entries for the £60,000 Craven, which also include Highclere Thoroughbred Racing's Foundation (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), winner of the G2 Juddmonte Royal Lodge S. over course and distance last September.
Walker, who hopes to have his first Classic runner with Stormy Antarctic, issued a positive bulletin on his colt's progress on Friday, saying, “The winter couldn't have gone any better for Stormy Antarctic–he looks fantastic and is really forward in his coat. He did a very nice piece of work this morning under George Baker, who will ride him in the Craven S.”
The trainer continued, “He has grown up a lot but we know that he will improve for the race–this is just the start of a long year for him. The step back up in trip to a mile will play to his advantage although in due course I do see him as a 10-furlong horse. If he runs well, we will have to give the QIPCO 2000 Guineas strong consideration even though it comes up quickly enough, just 16 days later. It's the first time in my career that I have had a realistic Classic contender and I'm very excited about him.”
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