Appleby hopes to maintain perfect Breeders' Cup record with Masar

10.50pm Friday, Del Mar
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (Grade 1) | 1m | 2yo colts & geldings | ATR/RUK

Not many trainers can boast a 100 per cent record at the Breeders' Cup, but Charlie Appleby can. He won this race with Outstrip in 2013, his first season as a trainer, and has not been back since.

All that changes this year when he saddles Wuheida in the Filly & Mare Turf and Masar in the Juvenile Turf. It would be some achievement if Lagardere third Masar could make it 2-2 for Appleby, but confidence is high that the New Approach colt can do just that – he is no bigger than 9-2 for the contest, having opened the week at 7-1.

Appleby, speaking on Wednesday, said: "I'm delighted with Masar, he had a little blowout this morning and stretched nicely up the straight.

"The key thing for him is getting him back on a sound surface, his last run there in the Lagardere was on testing ground and they got racing a fair way out, probably softening it up for a late closer.

"He's drawn well [in six] and we've just got to try to make the most of that draw. Similar to Wuheida he's a strong traveller and we'll want to be up there, as it's tight enough round that turf track."

Scott buzzing for first Breeders' Cup appearance

Confidence is also solid behind James Garfield, a first Breeders' Cup runner for 28-year-old Newmarket trainer George Scott.

The Mill Reef winner has been in his element this week, seemingly relishing the change of scenery, and will be partnered by Frankie Dettori.

"He's been good as gold and I've had only positive reports," said Scott. "I thought he'd take it well as he's a tough bugger, I'd have been surprised if he was a horse who sulked. He looks great, I'm really pleased and everything's gone to plan.

"We've got options in [stall] seven. We've got fancied horses on our inside and that's great as I prefer to have them in our sights rather than them tracking him, but I won't say a word to Frankie about the race – he'll do what he wants."

Scott, only in his second full season as a trainer, has enjoyed a dream year, not just having James Garfield to fly the flag but also recently tying the knot with Polly Gredley, daughter of Bill Gredley, who owns his Breeders' Cup contender.

Scott added: "It feels a little bit surreal to be here but the overriding thing is I feel very lucky to be here and to have the horse here in tremendous form. I think I've prepared him as well as anyone else could despite my inexperience. It's exciting, I have to pinch myself a bit."

Europeans strongly represented

Aidan O'Brien has won this three times, most recently in 2015 with Hit It A Bomb, and relies on Dewhurst second Mendelssohn.

Mendelssohn's first preference was the Juvenile, while stablemate and Dewhurst winner US Navy Flag's first choice was the Juvenile, but the duo were switched.

"Mendelssohn isn't over-experienced so that's why we stayed on the grass with him and went to the dirt with US Navy Flag," explained O'Brien.

Top jumps trainer Gordon Elliott makes his Breeders' Cup bow with Beckford, twice a Group 1 runner-up this season.

Elliott said: "He travelled over well and seems in great form. We're happy with him.

"It's a hot race and we'll have to see whether he gets the mile, but the track and ground should help him on that score."

Rajasinghe was handed a tough draw in the outside berth of 14 but trainer Richard Spencer is hoping his first Breeders' Cup runner is slipping under the radar, as he did at Royal Ascot before winning the Coventry.

Spencer said: "We're definitely looking forward to the fast ground – it's what he needs and will be a big help. The track is a big unknown but a mile on fast ground is hopefully going to be a forte."

Richard Fahey, who saddles Ribchester in Saturday's Mile, kicks off his Breeders' Cup experience with outsider Sands Of Mali, who will be partnered by top local jockey Flavien Prat.

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