Stakes racing continued at Newmarket overnight with the triumphant return of last year’s Champion 2YO Colt Native Trail and a Group III winning sprinter for Exceed and Excel, who also sired a promising 3YO filly with stakes potential and pedigree connections to Australia.
Undefeated last year winning all four starts at two, Godolphin flagbearer Native Trail kept his record perfect when stepping out at 1m for the first time winning the Group III Craven Stakes by a dominant three and a half lengths.
“I'm delighted we've got that first run under our belt,” said Charlie Appleby, who will send the Oasis Dream colt next to the Group I Newmarket 2,000 Guineas.
“He has got a lovely run style. I know people say he might be a bit round and when he comes into the Dip, he might come under the pump a bit. But when hits that rising ground, he races the right way around and in an economical fashion.
“We were two kilos heavier today than in the Dewhurst. I'm a big believer that to go into a Guineas you want to be the same weight as in the Dewhurst and I'm happy where we are.
“His racing brain has clicked in and we look forward to the Guineas now.”
Native Trail was bought last year at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale by Godolphin for 210,000 guineas after fetching 67,000 guineas at the Tattersalls October Book 1 Sale when bought by Margaret O’Toole/ Oak Tree Farm.
He is a three time sale ring veteran having been bought out of the Arqana Breeding Stock Sale as a foal for 50,000 euros by Sam Sangster Bloodstock.
The Group III Abernant Stakes (6f) was won by progressive sprinting mare Double or Bubble, who won a Listed race last year, but looks to have better wins in store for her in 2022.
She is one of 194 stakes-winners worldwide for Exceed and Excel, who turns 22 this year as he closes in on his double century of stakes-winners.
Offering the potential of winning a stakes race this season is lightly raced three year-old filly Ameynah, who scored an easy three and three-quarter length win in the 7f fillies race at her second race start following a debut second at the same track last year.
Trained by Roger Varian for Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, she holds an entry for the G1 Newmarket 1000 Guines and was bred by Godolphin. She is the second winner for stakes-placed Iffraaj mare Tazffin, a half-sister to the dam of South African Group I winner Pacific Trader.
Her grand-dam Tarfshi is a daughter of Champion 2YO Filly Pass the Peace, who has spawned an impressive dynasty of stakes-winners that extends to Australia, Pass the Peace is also the third dam of Australian Group I winning fillies Atlantic Jewel, Commanding Jewel and I Am Excited.
