Dubai: Australian handler Chris Waller says that winning the Group 1 Darley July Cup at Newmarket on Saturday would rank as the biggest achievement of his life.
Waller saddles the Godolphin-owned Brazen Beau in the £510,000 (Dh2.91 million) sprint highlight of Newmarket’s three-day July Festival, which kicks-off on Thursday.
The winner of five starts in his native Australia, Brazen Beau was just touched off by American-trained Undrafted in the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot three weeks ago.
A three-year-old by I am Invincible, Brazen Beau faces 16 rivals headed by sensational Group 1 Commonwealth Cup scorer Muhaarar, who is owned by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance. Muhaarar is the 5/2 ante-post favourite with the Australian speedball a 11/4 chance.
“I was over the moon with his second place at Royal Ascot — he ran really well,” Waller said in an IRB press release. “I wasn’t sure how he would come out of that but I now think that he’s got a little bit more in his tank and should come on again for that run.
“This is one of the best sprinters in Australia. [His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, [who purchased the colt before Royal Ascot] saw him race in Australia and it’s great that he’ll get the chance to see him run in the race that he sponsors.
“Winning the Darley July Cup would not only be a career highlight for me but a life highlight too.”
Godolphin pilot James Doyle replaces Australian Craig Williams, who decided to race upon the strip of ground which he felt was the quickest but also left his horse to race alone — a tactic which may have made the difference between winning and losing.
Shaikh Hamdan could yet be double-handed in Saturday’s race, which he last won with Elnadim in 1998, after Derby-winning handler William Haggas left in Muthmir following the sprinter’s narrow defeat in the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes at the Royal meeting.
Eddie Lynam, a master with sprinters, won last year’s July Cup with Slade Power and is preparing a twin assault with multiple Group 1 winner Sole Power and stable companion Anthem Alexander.
“In my opinion the Darley July Cup is the jewel in the European sprinting crown and, having won it last year [with Slade Power] and had two horses in the first five the year before, I am very happy to have two contenders again this year,” he said.
Aidan O’Brien sent out Mozart to win this event in 2001 and relies on Due Diligence.
Amy Starkey, Director of Jockey Club Racecourses East Region, said: “We are looking forward to a spectacular 2015 Moet & Chandon July Festival, when Newmarket Racecourses hosts East Anglia’s most stylish summer festival.
“Tickets sales are up on last year and, with the weather forecast suggesting pleasant conditions throughout the three days [Thursday, July 9 to Saturday, Julyn 11], everything is set fair for a fabulous Festival of both racing and fashion.”
