Juddmonte International Stakes Entries: Baaeed among eight entered for Group 1 feature
Superstar miler Baaeed will face a maximum of seven rivals in Wednesday's Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes at York, as the unbeaten William Haggas-trained son of Sea The Stars is among eight entries received for the 1m 2f showpiece event on day one of the Ebor Festival...
Nine wins from nine races has catapulted the four-year-old to the top of the Flat racing stratosphere and having amassed a trio of Group 1 wins this season, the classy star will now step up from a mile and tackle ten furlongs for the first time in his illustrious career. A stunning winner of the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on his comeback run, Baaeed then sauntered to victories in the Queen Anne Stakes and Sussex Stakes to maintain his dominance in the eight-furlong division.
Now, ready to step up a quarter-of-a-mile to ten furlongs, Baaeed will look to record another big-race success in this valuable prize, which is the star attraction on day one of the Ebor Festival, and the Haggas-trained colt is a red-hot 2/5 favourite in the latest ante-post betting, and he's sure going to be a tough nut to beat.
However, there will be some world class middle distance performers lining up and last year's fine winner Mishriff will line up for John & Thady Gosden, and this globetrotting five-year-old will attempt to retain the crown for John & Thady Gosden. Available at 7/2, at the time of writing, Mishriff has failed to get his head in front this season, but was last seen finishing third in the King George at Ascot, so a drop back in trip could bring him a change of fortunes in this mouth-watering contest on Wednesday afternoon.
Charlie Appleby won this race two years ago with Ghaiyyath and the Godolphin handler will saddle the classy Native Trail, who along with Point Lonsdale (also entered in Great Voltigeur Stakes), are the three-year-olds bidding for glory and Native Trail was last seen finishing a narrow third to Vadeni in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown Park. A gallant runner-up behind Coroebus in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, Native Trail then showed his class when bounding to victory in the Irish 2000 Guineas, and while he will be in receipt of weight from his elders the 7/1 chance will have to put in a huge career best to down the likes of Baaeed and Mishriff.
The Haggas team hold a strong hand at the latest entry stage as not only will they be able to unleash Baaeed they will also potentially have Alenquer and Dubai Honour at their disposal. Both available at double-figured odds, at the time of writing, Alenquer was a superb winner of the Tattersalls Gold Cup two starts ago, but failed to sparkle last time out, while Dubai Honour was beaten by Sir Busker in the Group 2 York Stakes last time.
Sir Busker will have another crack at Group 1 level here as he is set to take his chance, while the Aidan O'Brien-trained High Definition, who was just beaten by Alenquer in the Tattersalls Gold Cup will look to hand the Ballydoyle team a seventh win in the race.