Stradivarius on course for Goodwood Cup clash with old rival Torcedor
It's been smooth sailing for John Gosden's classy stayer in the lead up to his date with destiny on the Sussex Downs
STRADIVARIUS is in good order ahead of the Goodwood Cup later this month, where he will take on old foes Torcedor and Call To Mind.
The son of Sea The Stars won the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in emphatic style and will attempt to keep his dream of winning the WH Stayers' Million alive and kicking.
Connections have issued a positive report on the current well-being of their top class colt, who is so far unbeaten in two outings this term.
The four-year-old was second in last year's St Leger but his form has reached a new level this year, with victories in the Yorkshire Cup and Ascot Gold Cup cementing his status as the country's leading stayer.
Now he will attempt to add a third Group 1 to his haul, having captured the prestigious prize last year as a three-year-old.
John Gosden's son and assistant, Thady, said: "His preparation has gone smoothly so far. During the Gold Cup he pulled a shoe and it shows how brave he is to get back up and fight it out like that.
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"He has come out of it bouncing and hopefully it is all systems go for Goodwood.
"He is an absolute pleasure to be around. He is just push-button. He is always happy and playing around, never in a malicious way. The riders say he does anything you ask without any trouble at all.
";He is not a big horse, but he has definitely got a big heart. He takes his work well and is a pleasure to be around.
"I still think Torcedor is a very strong opponent. Idaho is a hard horse and is a tough horse."
Jessica Harrington will be hoping that Thady is right.
Her challenger, Torcedor, was a decisive winner of the Sagaro Stakes earlier in the year, and showed that he's a force to be reckoned with when just touched off in third at Royal Ascot.
She reported: "I've never had a runner at Goodwood and at the moment it's all systems go to bring him.
"He seems to be in good form and after Ascot it seems the next logical step.
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"Dubai didn't go to right. He travelled badly over there and lost a lot of weight. Luckily, Colm O'Donoghue looked after him and that was really the reason why we were able to send him to Ascot at the end of April for the Sagaro Stakes and win there, then go to Royal Ascot.
"He has won at Navan and Leopardstown. He has won at various different courses, so I think he is fairly adaptable.
"We probably won't beat him (Stradivarius), but there is always a chance we could. We are going to be going back to two miles, as opposed to two and a half.
"I think Torcedor does stay, but I think he has got plenty of pace for a two-miler. I don't know whether we will beat him, but if we run second to him again I'd be delighted."
Also lining up for the race could be the Queen's runner, Call To Mind.
William Haggas' challenger has work to do on form, but comes to the contest off the back of a Grade 2 win in America and has been campaigned sparingly so far.
He said: "He is in great form. He has got a bit to find on the back of what he has done, but is really doing well,.
"John Warren (the Queen's racing manager) was up for the July Meeting and came and saw him. We think he is making good physical progress and John Warren confirmed that.
"He has got a bit to find with the best ones, but he stays well and is a very genuine horse and should run a good race."