Jockey Tom Queally believes he has matured in tandem with Frankel as they face possibly their biggest test yet in the Juddmonte International at York on Wednesday.
After 12 victories in 12 starts, Sir Henry Cecil's wonderhorse is stepping up to 10 furlongs for the first time after having conquered all-comers over a mile.
Frankel has been even more impressive this year and his victory by 11 lengths in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot showed how much he had matured compared to his scrambling success in the St James's Palace Stakes the previous season.
"I think he'll get it the trip and I'm looking forward to riding him," said Queally, who has partnered Frankel in all 12 victories.
"He's got a huge following now, and rightly so.
"A horse of his calibre deserves a huge following so it's good the public have latched on - we'll be doing all we can to keep them happy.
"We've both grown up nicely together."
While Cecil admits they are going into the unknown, he has no concerns by the extra two furlongs.
"Frankel seems in good order at the moment leading into the Juddmonte," said the Warren Place handler.
"I do not think the distance is going to be a problem although we are going into unknown territory."
Stablemate Twice Over, reunited with Ian Mongan after their International success in 2011, showed more certain signs of life when third in the Coral-Eclipse.
Cecil added: "Twice Over is fresh and well, in good form and deserves to take his chance.
"I do not expect him to beat Frankel but one never knows and if he gets placed it will help him earn his keep, as well as enhance his Group status."
Jockey Joseph O'Brien is excited about being involved in the race and his mount, St Nicholas Abbey, is a new threat to Frankel.
But whereas Frankel is stepping up in trip for the first time, St Nicholas Abbey's best form is over a mile and a half.
O'Brien does not expect the distance to be a problem, though.
He said: "It doesn't get much better than this, taking on Frankel with a horse like St Nicholas Abbey.
"He ran well at Ascot last time and has been in good form at home.
"The drop in trip is a question mark for some, but I don't see it being too much of a problem.
"I've never thought of a mile and a quarter being a problem for him as he's got so much speed.
"When he won the Breeders' Cup Turf, he did it with a great turn of foot and 10 furlongs with a bit of nice ground should be right up his street.
"The nice ground is what we've been waiting for."
Farhh might have been well beaten by Frankel in the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, but he was only just defeated over this distance by Nathaniel in the Eclipse.
Although Farhh is in good form, trainer Saeed bin Suroor will make a last-minute decision on his participation.
He told www.godolphin.com: "Farhh is doing well but we need rain to help his chances.
"We don't want the ground to be too firm for him and we will make a final decision on Wednesday morning.
"He is in good form at the moment and I think that this is the best trip for him now.
"We are taking on Frankel again, who will be very tough to beat, but I am hopeful of a good run, providing the ground is suitable."
Sri Putra was never a factor in the Eclipse, but enjoyed a confidence-boosting course-and-distance victory in the York Stakes at the end of July.
"One of the keys to him his fast ground, which he should get at York," said trainer Roger Varian.
No comments:
Post a Comment