English/Ire
Godolphin pair starting their international trials at home
Beiwacht and Tentyris begin their private duel to determine Godolphin’s fastest three-year-old colt in their sprint showdown for the Group 1 $1 million Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Godolphin's Australian supremo Andy Makiv isn't shying away from repeated clashes between Beiwacht and Tentyris over the next few months.
"Beiwacht and Tentyris kick off together in the Lightning, then they will go to the Newmarket Handicap,'' Makiv said.
"That is the initial plan and I don't think having these two good colts clashing is a big issue.
"For us to have two colts worthy of running in the Lightning and Newmarket is great.
"At the end of the day, we are in the business of trying to find colts to compete at Group 1 level.
"So, the fact we have two colts good enough to go to the Lightning is a great feather in everyone's cap at Godolphin.
"We are hopeful they can both run well although we have great respect for the opposition.''
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Tentyris, outstanding winner of the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes down the Flemington straight course last spring, is the $2.30 favourite with TAB Fixed Odds for the Lightning with Chris Waller's Golden Rose winner Beiwacht on the fourth line of betting at $8.
Makiv then revealed both Beiwatch and Tentyris have both been nominated for the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint at the Dubai World Cup meeting later next month.
This marks the 30th year since the inaugural Dubai World Cup was won by American champion Cigar and it is understandable Godolphin's Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum would want to have representation at the meeting.
"It is obviously a significant milestone for Dubai Racing,'' Makiv said.
"If Beiwacht and Tentyris are in the right form to travel, we are excited at the prospect of doing that.
Makiv said if either or both colts make the trip to Dubai then it is likely their international campaigns will be extended to include England's prestigious Royal Ascot meeting in June.
"If they go to Dubai, then the logical step would be to take in Royal Ascot after that,'' Makiv said.
Godolphin is hoping the Lightning clash between Beiwacht and Tentyris can continue the winning momentum the racing and breeding giant established last Saturday when they won three stakes races in two states.
Brilliant filly Tempted made a stunning return to racing in the Eskimo Prince Stakes at Randwick, Victoria Derby hero Observer was just as emphatic in his comeback win in the Autumn Stakes and the redoubtable Tom Kitten sprinted impressively first-up to take out the Kevin Heffernan Stakes.
Makiv said the impressive trio are on the Group 1 glory trail in coming weeks.
"Tempted will go to the Surround Stakes (Group 1, $750,000, Royal Randwick, February 28),'' Makiv said.
"I feel 1400m is probably the top end for her at the moment but we will get through the Surround and then look at the options for her.
"Whether that is the Arrowfield Sprint or the TJ Smith Stakes, or there's the William Reid Stakes in Melbourne and the Robert Sangster Stakes in Adelaide - there are plenty of races to consider.
"But there is really only one race at Group 1 level restricted to (three-year-old) fillies in her distance range so that is why we will target the Surround.''
Observer will be aimed at the Group 1 $1 million Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on February 28 but like Tempted, Godolphin has not locked in a program for their star colt after his second-up assignment.
"The initial target with Observer is the Australian Guineas,'' Makiv explained.
"Observer is already a Group 1-winning colt but it would be nice to see if we could win a Group 1 at a mile (a1600m) with him.
"He is by a stallion we have a lot of time for in Ghaiyyath and we hope this colt can one day get to a stallion barn and build on his resume.''
Tom Kitten showed last week he is on track to defend his title in the Group 1 $2 million All Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington on March 7.
"He's a very good horse and we are trying to get him back to Flemington to the All Star Mile and then maybe onto the Australian Cup,'' he said.
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