Balding targets new race with Classic hope South Seas

The new £100,000 Burradon Stakes, created to headline Newcastle's new Good Friday card, has caught the attention of trainer Andrew Balding, who has nominated the mile conditions race on April 14 as the first port of call for Classic hope South Seas.

William Haggas only last week named the same race as a possible starting point for Racing Post Trophy winner Rivet, and Balding has the same idea for Qatar Racing’s three-year-old, who won three of his five starts at two and finished runner-up to Thunder Snow in the Group 1 Criterium International at Saint-Cloud on his final start.

Priced between 16-1 and 40-1 for the Qipco 2,000 Guineas on May 6, South Seas has returned to work with gusto according to Balding.

"I’m delighted with South Seas and he’ll probably go to Newcastle for the new conditions race there,” said the trainer. “He’s pretty forward and will be pretty straight for it.”

Balding is also hoping to get a run into stablemate Poet’s Vanity before the Qipco 1,000 Guineas, with a prep at Newmarket the preferred option.

He added: “If she’s ready in time, I’d like to run Poet’s Vanity in the Nell Gwyn [on April 18]. She’s a big filly and it would help if I could get a run into her before the Guineas.

"We’ve just started fast work with her and so far, so good. They’re two fine-looking horses and I couldn’t be happier at this stage.”

Winner of the Group 3 Oh So Sharp Stakes on her third and final start last season, Poet’s Vanity is a general 16-1 shot for the 1,000 Guineas.