Princess Royal defence in Time Lock’s sights

Josh Luckhurst
September 26, 2024 3:19 pm

Juddmonte mare lines up at Newmarket again as retirement beckons.

Time Lock could bow out on a high if she successfully defends her Princess Royal Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Stakes crown at Newmarket on Friday.

The Juddmonte homebred stormed to her first Group-level victory 12 months ago when she scored by four and a quarter lengths ahead of Sweet Memories.

The Frankel mare finished second in the Group Two Jockey Club Stakes over the same 12 furlongs she faces here back in May and has not run since finishing third in the Princess of Wales’s Stakes in July.

Giavellotto, centre left, on their way to winning the Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket — Time Lock, left, came third on her last start at Newmarket (David Davies for The Jockey Club/PA)

Barry Mahon, European racing manager for Juddmonte, hinted the 15th start of her career is likely to be Time Lock’s final appearance on the track, unless conditions suit for a last hurrah, as the Harry Charlton-trained five-year-old leads a field of eight.

He said: “She’s had a nice break, a little freshen up and she’s going back to familiar territory having won this race last year.

“She’s coming up to the last race of her career, maybe her second last depending on ground conditions, but she’s in good form and Harry is really happy with her, so we are hopeful of a good one.

“We wouldn’t want to have too much rain, (I’m) not sure what the weather’s like but she wouldn’t want it too soft.”

John and Thady Gosden’s Place Of Safety leads the younger rivals alongside Mistral Star, who is looking to build on a Listed success at the July course for Hughie Morrison.

Sea Of Roses, trained by Andrew Balding, arrives on the back of victory in the August Stakes at Windsor, Divina Grace is a course-and-distance winner for Rae Guest and David Simcock has Hollie Doyle booked for Sinology.

Comic Book represents Jessica Harrington and the line-up is completed by Charlie Johnston’s Francophone.

The Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Joel Stakes looks set to be a hot contest despite the small field of six over the mile.

Karl Burke’s Ice Max comes into the contest on the back of Group Two success in the Celebration Mile Stakes at Goodwood last month and will renew his rivalry with Simon and Ed Crisford-trained Poker Face, who he beat in that race by a length.

Prague was second last time out at Haydock for Dylan Cunha and he steps up to Group Two level for the first time, while Dancing Gemini is seeking a first win of the year for Roger Teal having been set some stiff tasks.

Kinross wins the Betfred Champagne Stakes on day three of the Betfred St Leger Festival — Lead Artist, second left, will step back up to a mile after finishing second behind Kinross in the Champagne Stakes (Mike Egerton/PA)

The Gosden-trained Lead Artist returns to a mile after finishing second to Kinross when dropped to seven furlongs for the first time in the Park Stakes at Doncaster on St Leger Day.

“He’s come out of it (Doncaster) great, I thought he ran a good race beaten by a quick horse on the day,” Mahon said of the Juddmonte colt.

“Dropping back to seven (furlongs) wasn’t ideal, but we didn’t get to run at Goodwood (in the Celebration Mile) with heavy ground so it didn’t leave us with a huge amount of options. He ran a good race, back up to a mile will suit and he wouldn’t want too much rain.

“We said we would roll the dice, he’s a lightly-raced horse, didn’t run at two, so the experience has done him good and in fairness, Kinross is a warrior. He looked very good that day.”

The Ralph Beckett-trained Task Force has been knocking on the door in Group company this season and will be ridden by Ryan Moore for the first time at Newmarket.

He is a second Juddmonte contender after taking fourth place on his last start when trying nine furlongs in the Strensall Stakes at York.

Mahon added: “He’s had a little freshen up since York so he’s in good shape and in an ideal world you wouldn’t be running them together, but opportunities are few and far between so we’ll roll the dice and see how we get on.

“Rossa (Ryan) has been brilliant on him all year to be fair, but as he tends to do, Ryan does ride for us when he’s free and he has no commitments. We are lucky to secure his services on Friday and hopefully we will be able to reap the rewards.”