Goodwood: The Group 2 Richmond Stakes, one of the highlights of day three at Glorious Goodwood, has a history of uncovering exciting future sprinters and Godolphin’s Charlie Appleby will be hoping that the unbeaten Blue Point can announce himself to be a star in the making.

The two-year-old son of Shamardal was hugely impressive when tearing down the Doncaster track a fortnight ago to record an 11-length victory, the second of his career which began with a maiden win at Nottingham last month.

The downhill six-furlong test of the Richmond puts the emphasis on speed and was used by Godolphin’s Bachir in 1999 prior to him capturing both the French and Irish 2000 Guineas the following year.

Appleby has mapped out an ambitious programme for his young star with the Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2, Aug 20), Champagne Stakes (Group 2, Sept 10) and Group 1 Irish National Stakes (September 11) as possible targets.

“He is two from two so far, and he was visually impressive when winning at Doncaster,” Appleby pointed out.

“But he is now stepping up to Group company. Having said that, I’m confident he’s ready to take that step forward,” the trainer added.

James Doyle, who takes the ride on Blue Point for the first time following William Buick and James McDonald, said: “I’ve never sat on Blue Point, even at home, but I have seen what he can do. He was impressive at Doncaster, and I am really looking forward to riding him in the Richmond,” he added.

Among the four rivals Blue Point faces on Thursday is Waqaas, who represents Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, who also won the Richmond back in 1998 with Muqtarib.

Trained by Charlie Hills, Waqaas is chasing a second career victory following his maiden win at Doncaster, but this race represents a far more serious test for him.

Richard Hannon’s Mehmas, winner of the Group 2 July Stakes, Intelligence Cross, the runner-up in that race and Ardad, winner of the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes, complete the small but quality field.

The other Group 2 race on the card is the 3,200 metre Goodwood Cup, where the Michael Bell-trained Big Orange will attempt to replicate his success of last year.

Big Orange has shown he retains his form by winning Newmarket’s Group 2 Princess Of Wales’s Stakes having last year finished fifth in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup.

Sword Fighter, winner of the Listed Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot and the Group 2 Curragh Cup, looks his biggest rival.

 

Thursday’s feature races

Glorious Goodwood

5.35pm Richmond Stakes (Group 2) 6f

6.10pm Goodwood Cup (Group 2) 2m

6.45pm Fillies’ Stakes (Group 3) 1m 6f