Dubai: Champion trainer Richard Hannon has cautioned that Night Of Thunder will not run in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes — the highlight of the second day of this month’s five-day Glorious Goodwood meeting — unless the ground is on the soft side.
A winner of the Group 1 Juddemonte Stakes on his last but one start, the Godolphin-owned son of Dubawi is currently a 12/1 chance to win the £1-million (Dh5.69 million) mile contest behind Gleneagles (5/6) and Solow (7/4).
As a juvenile last season, Night Of Thunder looked particularly impressive when posting wins on soft ground, but appeared to toil on firmer surfaces.
Hannon, who was the standout trainer at Goodwood in 2014 with 11 wins, looks set to field another strong team at Goodwood, which runs from July 28 to August 1.
“Goodwood has always been a very lucky meeting for us. It is going to be a lot more competitive this year — I am not sure if that is a good or bad thing for us! The two-year-old races are worth almost double this year and it’s going to be hard, but we are looking forward to it,” Hannon said in a press release issued by Goodwood Racecourse.
“The Qatar Sussex Stakes is worth a million pounds and it looks like the top horses are going to turn up. It is going to be fantastic race and I am just glad we can be part of it. Hopefully, our horses can run well.
“I think we are looking at the Qatar Sussex Stakes for Toormore and Night Of Thunder. Night Of Thunder won’t run unless there is some rain. If Toormore can be handy and do things his own way, I hope we can be competitive, but I think we may only be playing for places behind the front two [Gleneagles and Solow]. It looks sure to be fabulous race,” he added.
“I wasn’t happy with where either of them finished at Ascot but I think they both ran to the best of their abilities. Both horses may be better on a turning track, especially Night Of Thunder, while Toormore had to do all the donkey work last time out. Something will have to pick up to turn around the Ascot form with the front two.”
The increase in prize money from £300,000 to £1 million has boosted the appeal of Glorious Goodwood’s biggest race, which has attracted several top milers.
While market trends suggest that the race is primarily a showdown between dual 2,000 Guineas hero Gleneagles and French superstar Solow, Night Of Thunder is no pushover at a distance that brings out his best.
As many as 21 horses remain in the fray following the last scratchings deadline on July 7, including six Irish-trained contenders.
Other notable entries include Emell, Coulsty, Shifting Power, Estidhkaar, Tupi, Kool Kompany and Ivawood.
