Medicean is handed a golden opportunity to chalk up a valued first Group 1 success by his old rival Observatory in the Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.
Crack miler Observatoryhas been switched to France in search of faster ground on Sunday in the Prix d’Ispahan at Longchamp, leaving the way open for the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Medicean who was knocking at the door in Group 1’s last season.
Medicean was placed behindGiant’s Causeway in the St James’s Palace Stakes and the Sussex Stakes much to the frustration of owners, the Cheveley Park Stud who are naturally keen for the son of Machiavellian to have a Group 1 on his stud ticket before retiring to stallion duties.
Medicean defeated Observatory, albeit fortuitously, in the Group 2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood. This time he will have most to fear from Geoff Wragg’s Sun Chariot Stakes heroine Danceabout who recovered courageously after breaking her pelvis as atwo-year-old.
Wragg also saddles Swallow Flight, who was eighth behind that great globetrotter Jim and Tonic in the Dubai Duty Free Stakes at Nad Al Sheba. Arkadian Hero was fifth that night and may again prove the better proposition.
Henry Cecil’s Sandmason, who chased home the St Leger winner Millenary in the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket, can use the Aston Park Stakes as a stepping stone to better things later on.
Mick Channon, who saddled Queen’s Logic to win at Newbury on Friday, introduces a promising Kingmambo colt Ashgar Sayyad in the Woodgate Maiden Stakes.
“He is decent,” said the West Ilsley trainer. “Whatever he does here, he is going to be nice.”
