Naval Power leads a strong contingent from Charlie Appleby as he heads to Canada for the Woodbine Mile this weekend.
William Buick, who will be riding Naval Power, and Oisin Murphy, who is travelling to ride New Century for Andrew Balding and Qatar Racing, will miss the Doncaster and Leopardstown meetings on Saturday. Both jockeys are scheduled to return to action at the Curragh on Sunday.
Naval Power, who finished as the runner-up in two American Grade Ones earlier this spring, is the standout for Godolphin this weekend. Buick commented, “The Woodbine Mile is a competitive race, but Naval Power is coming off a good run at Churchill Downs where he narrowly lost to Program Trading. He’s had a bit of a break since then and everything about Woodbine should suit him.”
Joining Naval Power in the Woodbine Mile is last year’s impressive Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winner Big Rock, trained by Maurizio Guarnieri. Guarnieri said, “Big Rock is improving. After a tough season last year and at two, a lighter schedule this year has been beneficial. Any rain would be a positive for him.”
In the E.P. Taylor Stakes, Appleby and Buick will saddle Cinderella’s Dream, a filly with just one defeat to her name, which came in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket. Buick noted, “She’s performed well in America and arrives in good form.”
For the Grade One Summer Stakes for two-year-olds, Appleby will run Al Qudra, who will face Balding’s New Century once again after their meeting at Ascot in July. Balding commented, “New Century has made the long journey to Canada and travelled extremely well. He has the right attitude and constitution for travelling, so we hope he’ll bring his best form to Woodbine on Saturday. I believe the turning mile will suit him well. Al Qudra was impressive at Ascot, but the extra furlong and a truly run race should play to our advantage. The form from the Stonehenge Stakes, particularly since it was a small field and falsely run, has been further validated by Luther.”