Busy day as Qatar Racing covers the world
A busy day for Qatar Racing, with runners in five countries across three continents.
Clemency finished unplaced in a handicap at Caulfield, Australia, earlier today, but Bletchley (pictured below) is an interesting candidate for the Gr.3 Firth Of Clyde Stakes (14.00) at Ayr in Scotland, talented Imperial Aviator is on the comeback trail in a handicap (14.50) at Newbury in England, and Arod and Mr Owen line up in the Gr.1 Ricoh Woodbine Mile at Woodbine (18.39 local time, 23.39 in UK) in Canada.
The Ralph Beckett-trained Bletchley is one of 12 runners in her race, and she is likely to prove a danger to all judging by her excellent second in the Gr.3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot. She subsequently finished sixth of ten on much quicker ground at Newmarket, and today's easier going should suit.
Beckett reports the filly has travelled well to the track and he is happy with her draw in stall five.
Fran Berry rides Bletchley, while 3lb claimer Kieran Shoemark partners Imperial Aviator in a ten-furlongs handicap at Newbury. The Roger Charlton-trained colt won over the course and distance in May, but was then unplaced in the Gr.1 Prix du Jockey-Club and then at York. On the latter occasion he was trying 12 furlongs on quicker ground, and there are reasons to believe he will be happier at today's shorter trip on easier ground.
Arod and Mr Owen face a tough task in Canada, for they take on the tip-top mare Tepin, who made such a good impression when winning the Gr.1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The Francois Rohaut-trained Mr Owen who is ridden today by Jamie Spencer was sixth of nine in the race last year, but not beaten far, and he was recently third in a Group Three race in France. Arod shaped well on his latest start, finishing third in the Gr.2 Celebration Mile behind Qatar Racing's Lightning Spear. Quick ground is the key to Arod, and he should get that surface this evening Oisin Murphy rides the five-year-old for trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam.
Naval Warfare made the long journey from Andrew Balding's Kingsclere Stables to Ayr yesterday, but it paid off when he won a maiden and became Qatar Racing's latest success.
Photo of Bletchley: Laurence Squire