Teal targeting Thoroughbred redemption for Kenzai Warrior

Goodwood in trainer’s sights after early disappointments.

Roger Teal will drop Kenzai Warrior down in trip in an attempt to get his career back on track in the Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes at next month’s Qatar Goodwood Festival.

The Lambourn handler has earmarked the mile Group Three contest on July 31 as the next port of call for the Karakontie colt, who has failed to fire in both starts this season.

Having lost all chance at the start in the 2000 Guineas on his return to action, Kenzai Warrior beat only two rivals home upped to a mile and a quarter on his most recent start in the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Teal said: “We just felt it probably all came a bit too soon for him and that he had a harder race in the Guineas that we probably thought.

“He is a hard book to read as he is such a fresh horse and he looked brilliant at home after the Guineas.

“The plan is to drop him back to a mile for the Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood now. I don’t think it was the trip at Ascot that beat him, as I think he will stay that far.

“We wanted to ride him closer to the pace at Ascot as he hasn’t got an electric turn of foot, but I don’t think it would have mattered where we were as he was just a bit flat after Newmarket.”

Victory for Kenzai Warrior would be something of a change in fortune at the Sussex track for Teal who has had little luck with his runners there in the past.

He added: “Nothing seems to go right or happen for me at Goodwood. It is my bogey track, but he could be the one to change that

“He is better than what he has shown so far and we will be back in the winner’s enclosure with him soon.

“It’s my wife’s birthday the day of the race so it would be a good way to celebrate that, so there is no pressure!”

Follow us on Twitter racing365dotcom and like our Facebook page.
Roger Teal Goodwood

Latest