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'I'll be disappointed if he doesn't win' - which trainer is ultra-confident?

Ferrari Queen strides clear in the hands of Andrea Atzeni at Kempton
Ferrari Queen strides clear in the hands of Andrea Atzeni at KemptonCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Saturday: 1.55 Newbury
Denford Stakes (Listed) | 7f | 2yo | ITV/RTV

Andrea Atzeni will never tire of remembering Decorated Knight, whose daughter Ferrari Queen he partners in this Listed contest for two-year-olds.

A star for Roger Charlton and owner-breeders Saleh Al Homaizi and Imad Al Sagar, Decorated Knight won the Jebel Hatta, Tattersalls Gold Cup and Irish Champion Stakes under Atzeni during a sublime 2017 season.

"He was one of my favourites and, for some reason, I had a very good relationship with him," said the jockey, hailed for delivering the 25-1 winner to perfection in the Irish Champion.

Andrea Atzeni: starring on Decorated Knight
Andrea Atzeni: starring on Decorated KnightCredit: Alan Crowhurst

"I do look back on that with pride; it was one of the highlights of my career. He was an outsider and I rode at Ascot before getting a private plane over to Ireland. We were drawn ten of ten, so I took my time, followed Poet's Word through and he did it nicely."

Ferrari Queen has also done it nicely in her two appearances and Atzeni added: "She looked impressive first time out and it's never easy giving a penalty away in novice races next time.

"She did it the hard way as we made the running and she had a good look around, and the track rode quite slow, which didn't suit. She's very light on her feet, so quick ground won't be an issue."


What they say

Eve Johnson Houghton, trainer of Bluelight Bay
I think we tried to challenge on the wrong part of the track in the Richmond; it would have been better if we'd sat in and been a bit more patient. He'll be better over seven furlongs and I like him. I think he'll go well.

The Charlie Appleby-trained Victory Dance (right) was second in the Superlative Stakes last time
The Charlie Appleby-trained Victory Dance (right) was second in the Superlative Stakes last timeCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Victory Dance
He has done well since the Superlative Stakes, when he put up a good performance, and he looks a sharper model going into this. He has progressed with both of his starts and we will be disappointed if he doesn’t win.

Richard Hughes, trainer of Candle Of Hope
We're seeking black type, but she's two from two, so she's done nothing wrong. She does more at the track than at home, but she always pleases us and I think she'll love the fast ground. I'd rather it quick than slow. We've got Victory Dance to beat, but could be there if he doesn't turn up.

Harry Eustace, trainer of Cite D'Or
This is a massive step up, but it will be a good sighter for future targets and where she fits. She'll like the ground and the track will suit her better than Brighton. She won without liking Brighton, which is tough for a two-year-old first time. Whether she's up to winning, I'm not sure, but she'll be competitive and showed enough ability before Brighton when working with another filly I quite like called Musical Tribute. We're a race ahead of where we thought we might be with Cite D'Or, who is entitled to see where she ranks with these.


More Saturday previews:

2.30 Newbury: Zechariah takes on his seniors in trial for St Leger in staying feature

2.50 Ripon: Who has the luck of the draw this time in the Great St Wilfrid?

3.18 Newmarket: Who doesn't love a grey? Trainer quotes for the Grey Horse Handicap

3.35 Newbury: Richard Birch examines a Hungerford with more depth than the market suggests

4.05 Curragh: O'Brien warns Luxembourg will 'improve plenty' for comeback run after injury

4.40 Curragh: Irish St Leger and Melbourne Cup clues as Search For A Song and Raise You clash


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James BurnLambourn correspondent

Published on 12 August 2022inPreviews

Last updated 19:05, 12 August 2022

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