Roger Varian’s unexposed Zabeel Prince set for significant rise in class at Newbury
Roger Varian confirmed Zabeel Prince remains on target to have his first run in Group 1 company at Newbury next month in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes.
ZABEEL PRINCE is on course for a first attempt at Group 1 level in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on May 19.
His trainer Roger Varian had suggested the five-year-old was set for a rise in class after creating quite an impression when winning the Listed Unibet Doncaster Mile on his seasonal reappearance.
The Sheikh Mohammed Obaid-owned gelding had been under consideration for the Group 2 bet365 Mile at Sandown last Friday, but Newmarket-based trainer Varian opted to swerve that engagement.
He said: "He is on course for the Lockinge. He is in great form and is moving well. I'm looking forward to it.
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"I think he needs a bit of time between his races, so I'm happy we sat out Sandown and he will be A1 when he turns up at Newbury."
Stablemate Emmaus, victorious in the Listed King Richard III Stakes at Leicester, has been pencilled in for a race at Haydock next month.
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He said: "I was really pleased with that. He is quite a smart horse and is another one on the upgrade.
"I think we will stay at seven furlongs for now and I think we will go to the John o'Gaunt at Haydock early in June."