Stradivarius Looks for Third Goodwood Cup Victory

In what will be a star-strewn week at Goodwood, few will have shone as brightly, or for as long, as Stradivarius, who attempts to extend his winning streak to eight with what would be a third straight success in the July 30 Qatar Goodwood Cup (G1).

The Goodwood Cup has a history dating back to 1808 but it was only made a group 1 in 2017. Since then, a single name has been engraved on its roll of honor. 

Bookmakers can barely countenance any result other than a win for Stradivarius on his seemingly inexorable march to a second Weatherbys Hamilton Stayers' Million bonus but, while he cannot hide his admiration for this beautifully actioned son of Sea The Stars, trainer John Gosden has an anxious eye cast toward the skies.

"He's done brilliantly this year and we're happy with him coming into the race but we are concerned about the risk of storms and heavy rain," said Gosden.

"He's a horse who is at his best on top of the ground. He might have won on softer ground but that isn't his favorite. We are therefore a little nervous about the weather and we don't want thunderstorms to ruin everyone's picnics and the Goodwood ground."

The achievement of Stradivarius in successfully defending his Gold Cup (G1) crown may have got slightly lost amid the euphoria of Frankie Dettori's extraordinary four-timer, although the man himself was full of praise for his willing partner on the day.

And Gosden is expecting a thorough test of heart and stamina over this half-mile shorter trip.

"It has come up a proper race," he said. "The other Gold Cup horses have strong credentials, plus you have three of Aidan's (O'Brien) in the field, so although they probably went a shade on the slow side in the Gold Cup, I would imagine on this occasion someone will make it a proper gallop and a solidly run race."

Johnston Relishing Second Bite with Dee Ex Bee

Stradivarius would be the first consecutive hat-trick hero in the history of the Goodwood Cup but Mark Johnston knows all about keeping a stayer in the kind of condition required to win the race three times, having produced Double Trigger to score in 1995, 1997, and 1998. 

Dee Ex Bee gave Dettori the biggest scare of any in the Gold Cup and has just a length to find on Ascot running.

"He's A1 and I don't think we could have the horse in any better order," said Johnston's son and assistant, Charlie. "We're under no illusions over how difficult it will be to beat Stradivarius. Regardless of conditions or the opposition he finds a way to win so it will be tough. But we have only got a length to find on the Ascot form so we're looking forward to it."

Dee Ex Bee suffered a decisive reverse at the hands of Cross Counter at this meeting last year but arguably was not in great form during the second-half of 2018 and comes here in much better heart.

Melbourne Hero Has Trip and Track to Suit

As the first British-trained winner of the Lexus Melbourne Cup (G1) and a group class performer on home turf, Cross Counter was always likely to have the Gold Cup on his agenda.

He cannot be said to have failed over the extra half mile through any palpable lack of stamina, but you suspect that with the figure of Stradivarius representing a significant bar to Cross Counter's progress in Europe, Charlie Appleby will have long had this race in mind as his best chance of dethroning the champion stayer. 

"Cross Counter ran a very respectable race over two and a half miles in the Gold Cup, but dropping back to two miles in the Goodwood Cup is a positive," said Appleby. "Another positive is that he is the course record holder over a mile and a half at Goodwood, so he handles the course, while he came out of Ascot well.

"Stradivarius is a worthy champion stayer—he is unbeaten in the past 18 months—and it is a huge mountain to climb trying to beat him. But Cross Counter comes into the Goodwood Cup in good form and we'll give it a go."