German raider Girolamo on course for Gordon Stakes
27 Jul 2012 | Racenews Newslink Nine entries have been received for the £60,000 Group Three Bet365 Gordon Stakes, run over a mile and a half on the first day of Glorious Goodwood, Tuesday, July 31.
The entries are headed by John Gosden's Michelangelo, who won the Listed Casco Cocked Hat Stakes at the course in May, before a comfortable sales race success over Cameron Highland at Newmarket on June 30.
Gosden could also saddle Investec Derby fourth Thought Worthy, while Sir Henry Cecil has entered Frankel's full-brother Noble Mission, who has had the beating of both Michelangelo and Thought Worthy this season.
Peter Schiergen, who won the Group One King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on Saturday with Danedream, could be represented by German Derby third Girolamo.
Suzanne Roberts, stud manager to Gestut Ebessloh, Girolamo's owner-breeder, said: "There is a good chance Girolamo will run in the Bet365 Gordon Stakes.
"He ran very well in the German Derby but we can't say we were expecting it because he probably improved 5lb on his form in that run.
"He is a young horse who has always been on the upgrade and he didn't run as a two-year-old because he was backward. He came out this year and won his maiden nicely but ran very badly next time. It was a rotten race but there were no excuses.
"He ran well in his race before the German Derby and then again in the Derby itself. The form of that race and German racing internationally has worked out quite well, so if he keeps improving like he has been there is no reason to think he will disgrace himself.
"He is a well balanced horse and he will handle the tight turns at Goodwood. There is only one racetrack in Germany with undulations and he hasn't run there, but I can't see that being a problem especially over this sort of distance.
"Firm ground wouldn't be his thing but good or good to soft ground would be ideal. Goodwood will have a good covering of grass as well so the ground should be fine."
The entries also include Godolphin's Sandown handicap scorer Encke, who is trained by Mahmood Al Zarooni, while Queen's Vase third Ed De Gas and fifth Minimise Risk, could reoppose each other. John Dunlop's Farhaan completes the entries.