Seas set for Dewhurst bid

South Seas, who is unbeaten in three runs for Qatar Racing, is stepping up to Group One company next month.

The chesnut is being aim at the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes (Saturday, October 8) by trainer Andrew Balding, who saddled the colt to win the Gr.3 Solario Stakes at Sandown on his latest start (see picture below). South Seas is one of 50 horses still in the seven-furlongs race.

Balding said: ‚"The Dubai Dewhurst Stakes is very much the target for South Seas, that was the plan for him when I last spoke to his owner, Sheikh Fahad Al Thani. He has intentionally had a quietish time since the Solario and I am very happy with him.

‚"He is a high class horse with a good cruising speed and, although the Dewhurst will be a lot tougher, he has three runs under his belt now so is well equipped to try his hand against the very best opposition.

‚"He handles cut in the ground very well but I think he will handle fast ground too when the time comes. Although he might possibly get a mile and a quarter next year, he is a potential Guineas horse the Dewhurst will tell us more.

‚"In my opinion the Dewhurst is the number one two-year-old race of the whole season, so it is great to have a horse in my care considered good enough to take part in it.‚"

South Seas stablemate Naval Warfare will be Qatar Racing's next runner he has been declared by Balding for Friday's opening race on day two of Ayr's Western meeting.