Stradivarius Set to Chase Second Doncaster Cup Score

Stradivarius  was sent off at 1-9 in 2019 when seeing off four rivals in his only previous appearance in Doncaster's oldest race, the Sept. 10 Doncaster Cup Stakes (G2), and will be long odds-on again Sept. 10 if his main rival Trueshan  is pulled out Friday morning as expected. 

The proposed rematch may be called off once more this season but Stradivarius could not be in a better place physically since accounting for Spanish Mission  in a thrilling finish to the Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup (G2) at York last month.

Despite his advancing years, Stradivarius may yet try a first crack at the Prix du Cadran (G1) at Longchamp on Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) weekend if he comes out of this race well, but the 7-year-old first has to overcome old foes like Nayef Road  and upcomer Rodrigo Diaz .

Thady Gosden, joint-trainer, said: "We'll see whether Trueshan runs but it would be nice to take him on again. Stradivarius is in great form at home and still loving every second of it. He's happy in his training and his racing at the moment, and we'll let him tell us when he's had enough but he's definitely enjoying himself.

"There are three races he can run in at this time of year: the Doncaster Cup, the Prix du Cadran, and the Qipco Long Distance Cup (G2) at Ascot. He can't run in all three, but hopefully can do two of them."

Reflecting on the 7-year-old's titanic battle on the Knavesmire in August, Gosden said: "It was an unbelievable day at York, to have a fight like that. He's been there so many times he knows where the winning post is, and he's still got plenty of fire in his belly. He's come out of that in such good shape, and we are hopeful he can put on another good show."

"We'll make a decision in the morning but I would think it doubtful Trueshan will run," trainer Alan King remarked. "Most of the rain they said was on the radar seems to have disappeared so it doesn't look very promising. We'll see what happens there today but if he doesn't go we could look at the Prix du Cadran."