Time Lock has the chance to conclude her career on a high note by successfully defending her title in the Princess Royal Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Stakes at Newmarket this Friday.
The Juddmonte homebred secured her first Group victory last year, winning by four and a quarter lengths ahead of Sweet Memories. The Frankel mare has had a solid season, finishing second in the Group Two Jockey Club Stakes in May and placing third in the Princess of Wales’s Stakes in July. She has not raced since that outing.
Barry Mahon, European racing manager for Juddmonte, hinted that this could be Time Lock’s final appearance, although a suitable ground condition could lead to an additional race. The five-year-old, trained by Harry Charlton, will lead a field of eight runners.
"She’s had a nice break and a little freshen-up, returning to familiar territory after winning this race last year," Mahon said. "This is likely to be her last race, maybe her second last depending on ground conditions, but she’s in good form, and Harry is very pleased with her. We’re hopeful for a strong performance, though we wouldn’t want too much rain, as she doesn’t perform well on soft ground."
Leading the younger competitors are John and Thady Gosden’s Place Of Safety and Mistral Star, which is looking to build on a Listed victory at the July course for Hughie Morrison. Andrew Balding’s Sea Of Roses arrives after winning the August Stakes at Windsor, while Divina Grace has experience as a course-and-distance winner for Rae Guest. David Simcock has Hollie Doyle riding Sinology, and Jessica Harrington’s Comic Book rounds out the field alongside Charlie Johnston’s Francophone.
In the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Joel Stakes, a competitive field of six will vie over a mile. Karl Burke’s Ice Max comes into the race fresh from a Group Two victory in the Celebration Mile Stakes at Goodwood, where he bested Simon and Ed Crisford’s Poker Face by a length.
Prague, trained by Dylan Cunha, steps up to the Group Two level after finishing second at Haydock, while Dancing Gemini seeks his first win of the year for Roger Teal, having faced tough challenges. The Gosden-trained Lead Artist returns to a mile after a solid second-place finish behind Kinross at seven furlongs in the Park Stakes on St Leger Day.
"He came out of the race at Doncaster in great shape. I thought he ran well against a strong competitor," Mahon noted. "Dropping to seven furlongs wasn’t ideal, and we missed our chance at Goodwood due to heavy ground, leaving us with limited options. Returning to a mile will suit him, although we hope for dry conditions."
The Ralph Beckett-trained Task Force has been a consistent performer in Group races this season and will have Ryan Moore aboard for the first time at Newmarket. He last finished fourth in the Strensall Stakes at York, trying nine furlongs.
"He’s had a little freshen-up since York and is in good shape," Mahon said. "Ideally, we wouldn’t run them together, but opportunities are limited, so we’ll take our chances. Rossa has done a great job on him all year, but Ryan is available, and we’re fortunate to have him riding for us this Friday."