Godolphin is playing a waiting game with its star More Than Ready colt Strategical.
Strategical (USA) made it three wins from his last three starts with another easy strike in the Orleans Nursery Hcp (1000m) at Sandown on Friday.
Sent off second-elect behind even-money favourite Foxy Clarets, the long striding colt belied the market order with a two length victory. “They went a good pace and he quickened up nicely for me,” winning jockey Mickael Barzalona said. “He can go on to something better.”
Where and when is open to conjecture. Strategical is still learning and has been taken along quietly by Sheikh Mohammed’s Blue Army. He has shouldered the equivalent of 59.5kg and 63kg in his last two wins and, if kept in training, would require late entries into the late-season juvenile features.
More Than Ready already has Renaissance Art (USA) entered for the G1 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket on October 12. He won on debut at the Curragh for trainer Jim Bolger in June.
Strategical (2c More Than Ready – Mary Ellise by In Excess) sold for 320,000 guineas (US$516,130) at the Tattersalls Craven 2YO Sale in April. He is closely related to Group 1 winning stallions Editor’s Note and Hold That Tiger.
Vendor John Egan signed off with a bold prediction at the Newmarket sales complex. “He’s a lovely horse – definitely a Group 1 winner of the future.”
Vinery champion More Than Ready began his latest southern book on Sunday morning.
