Classic victor Romanised set for Naas on Saturday before possible Lockinge tilt
A Classic winner is coming out to play this weekend as Ken Condon has revealed Romanised will reappear in the Gladness Stakes at Naas on Saturday, with the trainer already eyeing a crack at next month's Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes for last year's Irish 2,000 Guineas winner.
Romanised was a shock 25-1 winner of the Irish Classic, but there was no fluke about the stylish success and Condon reports him to have wintered well ahead of his return in what is shaping up to be a red-hot Group 3, with Jersey Stakes winner Le Brivido in line to have his first start for Aidan O'Brien.
"Romanised is ready to run and definitely goes to Naas," said Condon on Wednesday. "The weather seems to be holding up and there looks sure to be 'good' in the going description.
"He's about 90 per cent ready and Saturday will not be the be all and end all. He has a Group 1 penalty and has to give weight away to everything. Saying that, he's training very well and has done very well over the winter."
Reflecting on last season, Condon said: "We had a super day in the Guineas when he was at his best. You can completely forget his last run at Ascot as the ground was too soft. We know he's about a stone and a half better on decent ground."
Condon may be starting off Romanised in a Group 3 but Group 1s are on the agenda for the remainder of the campaign.
The trainer said: "If all goes well at Naas and he runs the way we think he will, I would like to head to the Lockinge. That's our plan for the early part of the season.
"If that went well we might think about the Queen Anne, but we'll have to get Saturday out of the way first."
It will be an important Saturday for Condon at Naas as stable stalwart Success Days will tackle the Group 3 Alleged Stakes.
"Success Days is in rude health, I'm really happy with him," he said. "He really is in great shape. I think he retains plenty of enthusiasm and we're looking forward to getting him out again."
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Published on 10 April 2019inNews
Last updated 18:36, 10 April 2019
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