Morny looks hot - Seas special at Sandown
South Seas was a hugely impressive winner for Qatar Racing at Sandown yesterday - now all eyes turn to a fascinating Prix Morny at Deauville today, revolving around US filly Lady Aurelia, whose biggest rival is a first-crop son of Qatar Bloodstock stallion Harbour Watch.
That colt, the Clive Cox-trained Tis Marvellous (pictured below), won a Windsor maiden by eight lengths and then ran out an impressive winner of the Gr.2 Prix Robert Papin the runner-up that day, Al Johrah (who is in opposition again today), had finished second to Lady Aurelia in Royal Ascot's Queen Mary Stakes on her previous start.
Trained by Wesley Ward, Lady Aurelia was, for many, the most impressive winner of the week at Royal Ascot not only did she beat 16 rivals, she won by seven lengths without coming off the bridle.
Tis Marvellous was bred by Crossfields Bloodstock, and was bought by Cox at Goffs UK's Premier Sale 12 months ago. That two-day event takes place at Doncaster this week, starting on Tuesday, when Harbour Watch, a brilliant, unbeaten two-year-old, will be represented by nine colts or fillies. See www.goffsuk.com for catalogue details.
Harbour Master, another member of Harbour Watch's first crop, won his second race in succession when landing a nursery in good style at Sandown yesterday.
The Sandown card also included a brilliant victory by Qatar Racing's South Seas in the Gr.3 TCA Abu Dhabi Solario Stakes (15.05). It was the unbeaten colt's third success, and trainer Andrew Balding, quoted in today's Racing Post, said: ‚"You had to be impressed with his first two wins, but it's nice to see him go and do it in a race with a bit of depth.‚"
Classic-placed Endless Drama is a Qatar Racing runner at the Curragh today in the Gr.3 Kilfrush Stud Royal Whip Stakes (15.45). Third at the start of the season in the Gr.1 Lockinge Stakes, Endless Drama returned to winning ways when successful at Naas last month.
Colin Keane rides the Ger Lyons-trained colt, who wears a tongue strap in a race for the first time today.
Photo of Tis Marvellous: Scoopdyga