Dubai: Veteran Cavlaryman, who recently notched up his ninth win in 36 career starts, will spearhead a strong Godolphin team for next week’s Glorious Goodwood festival, at Surrey’s beautiful racecourse.
The Saeed Bin Surour-trained eight-year-old confirmed he still has the appetite for competing at the top level when denying Hillstar in a thrilling renewal of the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot last month.
Well rested, he returns to challenge for the Group 2 Goodwood Cup, the feature race on day three of the five-day meeting.
Cavalryman, who was fifth behind Brown Bomber in the race 12 months ago, is likely to be joined by stablemates Ahzeemah and Excellent Result for the two-mile showpiece.
Bin Surour has won the Goodwood Cup twice in the past with Schiaparelli (2009) and Kayf Tara (1999).
The Queen’s Estimate also figures among 15 entries for the race, which also sees the Tom Dascombe-trained Brown Panther returning to defend his crown.
Meanwhile, Godolphin’s unbeaten St Leger (G1) sensation Encke is set to make a long-awaited comeback when he runs in the Coutts Glorious Stakes (G2) on Day Four of the festival.
The five-year-old son of Kingmambo impressed new trainer Charlie Appleby after delivering a smart workout alongside Royal Ascot runner Personal Opinion over a mile on Newmarket’s July Course.
“Encke came out of the gallop very well and it is all systems go for Goodwood at the moment,” Appleby said on the Godolphin website. “He is heading for the Group 3 Coutts Glorious Stakes over a mile and a half on Friday, August 1, provided there is good ground. We wouldn’t want to race him on fast ground there.
“Encke is showing all the right signs but the race will tell us whether he holds the same enthusiasm and ability he displayed as a three-year-old. He was in Dubai for the winter and we have taken our time with him on purpose so he can compete in the second half of this season.”
The Godolphin colt is best remember for thwarting the Triple Crown hopes of hot favourite Camelot in the St. Leger.
Outstrip, who was beaten a neck in the Group T2 Vintage Stakes last year, is also poised to return to Glorious Goodwood where he will bid to provide Godolphin a third Sussex Stakes (G1) victory following Noverre (2001) and Ramonti (2007).
Appleby said: “If it is good or quick racing ground, then Outstrip will run at Goodwood — anything on the slow side of good and he won’t be taking his chance.
“He’s an athletic horse and handled the course at Goodwood well last year. We felt that he hit the front a little too soon in the Vintage Stakes but we learned a lot from that run.
“We were disappointed with him in the Guineas but he had a genuine excuse that day as he scoped very badly afterwards. I had been pleased with his preparation going into Newmarket and I was very happy going into Royal Ascot, where he produced what I thought was a career-best performance.
“He has come out of the St James’s Palace Stakes very well. You have to respect Kingman and Toronado but we would be happy to let Outstrip take them on provided the ground is good or faster.”
Glorious Goodwood opens on Tuesday and opening day features the Group 2 Lennox Stakes.
Wednesday’s highlight is the Group 1 Sussex Stakes while Thursday’s action includes the Goodwood Cup.
Day Four is packed with Group races like the King George Stakes and Coutts Glorious Stakes while the final day’s action features the Nassau Stakes (G1).
