Trainer John Gosden 'Very Pleased' With Enable
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Photo: Steven Cargill / Racingfotos.com
Enable, winner of five group 1 races last year, trains at Newmarket in May
Coronet was unable to deny Sir Michael Stoute his dominance of the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) at Ascot July 28, but trainer John Gosden was warmed earlier in the day by the well-being of fellow filly and stablemate Enable.
Last year's King George and Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) winner has not raced since winning at Chantilly, but that day is getting closer, although Gosden insisted he is not sure how close.
"I was very pleased with her this morning when she was doing a half-speed," he said. "She's in top nick, but I'm not going to name a race yet. It's too soon. The filly can tell me; I'm not going to set dates. The most stupid thing you can do is force a horse. She's had time off for an issue, and what you must not ever do is name a race and try to fit the foot to the shoe. That's the wrong way around. But she's been pleasing me. This morning, nearly too much."
Enable is entered in the Aug. 23 Darley Yorkshire Oaks (G1), which is now the target for Coronet, who finished an honorable, if nine lengths distant, third behind Poet's Word and Crystal Ocean under Olivier Peslier.
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"The ground was a bit quick for her," Gosden said about Coronet, who finished second to Enable in last year's Yorkshire Oaks. "But she's finished third in the King George and, for a filly, that's pretty damned impressive. We'll freshen her up and go to the Yorkshire Oaks."
A further four lengths back was Salouen, who could not repeat the form of his Investec Coronation Cup (G1) second when nearly beating Cracksman.
Trainer Sylvester Kirk said: "I got excited for a moment, but the fact they were taking each other on up front worried me. At Epsom when he did his thing, he just relaxed in front, but when Rostropovich went on, we were half in trouble because when he follows he does more rather than at the front, where he just relaxes and gallops. Silvestre (de Sousa) says he'll be better on softer ground. We'll find a little race somewhere and try to get a win and build his confidence. He could drop in trip."