Kingston Hill Favored Among 14 for St. Leger

Winless but competitive in three starts this year, Epsom Derby (Eng-I) runner-up Kingston Hill is the favorite for the Ladbrokes St. Leger (Eng-I), but might not start in the final jewel in England's Triple Crown Sept. 13 if the Doncaster course is deemed too fast.

 

Kingston Hill was runner-up in the Derby and finished eighth in the One Thousand Guineas (Eng-I), earlier this year in the season's first two classics. Trainer Roger Varian pulled him from two subsequent races because the ground was unsuitably quick—the Irish Derby (Ire-I) at the Curragh and Great Voltigeur Stakes (Eng-II) last month at York.

 

"If they don't water they are risking the nonparticipation of the favorite in the classic," Varian told Racing Post about the Doncaster course, pointing to a forecast for dry weather while noting the course appears to be getting faster each day. "It's the clerk of the course's prerogative whether he waters or not. We are hopeful of running, but if it gets quicker tomorrow (Friday), we will have a look at the ground on Saturday."

 

Kingston Hill enjoyed his biggest career victory last year as a 2-year-old at Doncaster in taking the Racing Post Trophy (Eng.-I). He was beaten by five lengths when eighth in the one-mile Guineas to start his classic campaign at Newmarket in May, before finding Australia 1 1/4 lengths too strong in the Derby at 1 1/2 miles in June. In his most recent start, he was fourth in the 1 1/4-mile Eclipse Stakes (Eng-I) at Sandown Park in July.

 

"We are pretty confident Kingston Hill will get the trip," Varian said of the St. Leger's about 1 3/4 miles. "The truth will be in the test on Saturday as he has never run over the distance before. He was ridden aggressively in the Derby from an inside draw and he had every chance to shape like a nonstayer at Epsom, but he galloped all the way to the line. (Jockey Andrea Atzeni) has always felt he would get the trip and I am sure he will do so."

 

Owner Khalid Abdullah has won every British classic at least once, with his one St. Leger victory coming courtesy of Toulon in 1991. This year the Sir Michael Stoute-trained pair of Snow Sky (5-1) and Kings Fete (14-1) will carry his colors in the world's oldest classic.

 

Snow Sky warmed up for Doncaster by taking the July 30 Neptune Investment Management Gordon Stakes (Eng-II) from St. Leger entrants Windshear and Somewhat at Glorious Goodwood, then finished second in the Aug. 20 Great Voltigeur. The headstrong Kings Fete progressed well in handicaps before taking third behind St. Leger entrants Forever Now and Alex My Boy in the listed March Stakes at Goodwood.

 

Trainer John Gosden has three in the St. Leger: Forever Now (16-1), Marzocco (33-1), and Romsdal (6-1).

 

"Romsdal ran great in the Derby (third) but disappointed in the King George (VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes Eng-I)," Gosden said. "But he seemed in good form at the weekend and we have given him plenty of time to come to his strength."

 

1. 5. Alex My Boy (IRE) (Dalakhani), S. De Sousa, M. Johnston

2. 13. Forever Now (GB) (Galileo), F. Dettori, J. Gosden

3. 10. Granddukeoftuscany (IRE) (Galileo), C. O'Donoghue, A. O'Brien

4. 6. Hartnell (GB) (Authorized), J. Fanning, M. Johnston

5. 12. Kings Fete (GB) (King's Best), R. Moore, M. Stoute

6. 4. Kingston Hill (GB) (Mastercraftsman), A. Atzeni, R. Varian

7. 2. Marzocco (KY) (Kitten's Joy), R. Havlin, J. Gosden

8. 8. Min Alemarat (IRE) (Galileo), M. Harley, M. Botti

9. 1. Odeon (GB) (Galileo), G. Lee, J. Given

10. 14. Romsdal (GB) (Halling), W. Buick, J. Gosden

11. 9. Scotland (GER) (Monsun), J. Crowley, A. Balding

12. 7. Snow Sky (GB) (Nayef), J. Doyle, M. Stoute

13. 11. Somewhat (KY) (Dynaformer), F. Norton, M. Johnston

14. 3. Windshear (GB) (Hurricane Run), R. Hughes, R. Hannon

All to carry 127 pounds.