Hawkeyethenoo (2) and Imperial Guest (23) could renew rivalry at Ayr
PICTURE: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)Stewards' Cup one-two could meet again at Ayr
THE Ayr Gold Cup could be the scene of a mass Stewards' Cup reunion, including the two horses separated by a nose at the end of Saturday's Goodwood dash, it emerged on Sunday.
While Scotland's premier Flat race is an obvious port of call for leading handicap sprinters, and was mentioned as a possible target for third home Lui Rei by that one's trainer Robert Cowell on Saturday, the trainers of the first two home, Hawkeyethenoo and Imperial Guest, have now also nominated the September 22 contest as a likely goal.
Jim Goldie: said Hawkeyethenoo will be entered for Ayr Gold Cup
PICTURE: Martin LynchJim Goldie, who trains near Glasgow, and George Margarson have more immediate options but both are eyeing the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup, they told the Racing Post on Sunday.
"I would be surprised if we don't go to Haydock," Goldie said in reference to the Sprint Cup on September 8, "but he'll certainly get an entry for Ayr."
Margarson's immediate reaction after Saturday's "heartbreaking" defeat was that Group races would be the call for Imperial Guest.
But having reflected more on the race, the Newmarket trainer believes that handicaps could still be open to them.
Margarson said: "He's probably going to have to go back to seven furlongs before dropping back to six for something like the Ayr Gold Cup."
Hawkeyethenoo was tenth in the Ayr Gold Cup last year and the race must be a very likely target for Stewards' Cup fourth Waffle, who was flying at the finish at Goodwood and is another who contested the Ayr race last September. He finished two places in front of Hawkeyethenoo last season.
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