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Racing: Baileys can charge to glory

Sue Montgomery
Saturday 23 July 1994 23:02 BST
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THE middle-distance stars have strutted their stuff at Ascot and now the focus shifts to the top milers at Goodwood. And despite the enforced absence of American champion Lure, Wednesday's Sussex Stakes, the season's first Group One clash of the generations over eight furlongs, promises to live up to the five-day meeting's glorious billing.

In the four-year-olds' corner are Bigstone, Barathea and Sayyedati; carrying the best hopes of the three-year-olds we have Mister Baileys, Grand Lodge and Distant View. Neither Turtle Island nor Mehthaaf will run unless there is considerable rain. History is against last year's winner Bigstone, for no horse has won the Sussex Stakes twice since the race was opened to older horses 35 years ago, but the French challenger's trainer Elie Lellouche is confident.

Barathea, fourth over six furlongs in the July Cup on his last outing, seems a pound or two below the best, and we must take the well-being of Sayyedati on trust as she has not been seen in public since returning from two unsuccessful efforts in Japan earlier this year. Clive Brittain is typically bullish, however, and the filly would have a first-rate chance on her best form. Grand Lodge, the Guineas runner-up, and Distant View were separated by inches in the St James' Palace Stakes. Henry Cecil's lightly- raced charge holds more scope for improvement than Grand Lodge and can turn the tables.

But all may have to give best to Mister Baileys. One of the sights of the season was the Mark Johnston-trained colt's death-or-glory charge into the straight before his honourable fourth in the Derby, and he can prove himself king at the distance over which he scorched home in the Guineas.

Lochsong should have no trouble redeeming her reputation in the King George Stakes over her favourite minimum trip and in the hands of Frankie Dettori. Another on a retrieving mission is Bulaxie, the one- time Classic favourite who has been expensive to follow. The Nassau Stakes on Saturday is likely to be her last chance to prove herself, but the drop in class and distance will suit her.

In the Goodwood Cup on Thursday her John Dunlop- trained stablemate My Patriach will be reunited with Pat Eddery and can resume winning ways after a disastrous Ascot Gold Cup run under Cash Asmussen.

The quality racing at the meeting is backed up by a series of fiercely competitive handicaps. On the first day, Knowth has been backed from 5-1 to 7-2 to avenge last year's second place in the 10-furlong William Hill Cup, and with Reg Akehurst in his present handicap form can reward punters.

Magnet Cup runner-up Midnight Legend will be a popular fancy for the Tote Gold Trophy on Wednesday, but look out for consistent Mr Devious, who won by 10 lengths on his first run over a mile and a half.

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