The Group III Craven Stakes (1m) is a traditional lead up race for the Newmarket 2000 Guineas and produced an upset this year with the favoured Godolphin runner Mysterious Night trailing in last while victory went to up and coming Kodiac colt Indestructible.
Previously trained by Michael O’Callaghan, Indestructible was twice placed in Group races last year and over the winter joined the stable of Karl Burke and also underwent a wind operation.
He returned in peak shape and scored a length and a quarter win for Kevin Stott over Churchill colt the Foxes.
“That was brilliant. The horses have hit form at just the right time. If you would have been talking to me two weeks ago I would have been tearing what is left of my hair out but things have clicked into gear,” said Karl Burke.
“Indestructible is a lovely scopey horse. He had a couple little of niggles when he arrived physically but nothing major. He has worked well, but because of those little niggles, and I'm sure Kevin will say the same that he has had a good blow today and he will come on. I'd say I would have to fight Kia (owner Kia Joorabchian of Amo Racing) not to send him back here in two weeks' time (for the Guineas), but I'm sure he deserves his chance.”
Purchased for 150,000 euros from the Arqana May Breeze Up Sale last year, Indestructible has two wins and two seconds from five starts and is raced by Amo Racing, who also won the Group III Nell Gwyn Stakes the day before with Mammas Girl.
He is the first winner from placed Rip Van Winkle mare Shareva, a half-sister to Group II winner Shamreen (dam of Group II winner Shartash) and Group III winner Shahrose from Group III winner Shareen.
He is the 85th stakes-winner for champion Danehill sire Kodiac and is the eighth as a broodmare sire for Rip Van Winkle, who has a good number of broodmares in New Zealand after his years standing at Windsor Park Stud.
Kodiac's brilliant Group I winning spriting son Hello Youmzain (Fr) has been a regular shuttler to New Zeland with his first yearlings selling next year.
