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King Vega and Murphy could prove value play after eyecatching Salisbury display

Big winner: Oisin Murphy with the trophy after the Andrew Balding-trained Alcohol Free's victory in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood
Oisin Murphy: rides King Vega in this Listed raceCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Wednesday: 2.52 Goodwood
Best Of British Events Foundation Stakes (Listed) | 1m2f | 3yo+ | RTV

Small-field contests regularly develop into tactical affairs with a lack of front-runners leading to a dawdling pace. Not only is that unsatisfactory for punters and connections of hold-up performers, but it can also devalue the form of the race.

However, despite this year's Foundation Stakes attracting a field of just eight, solid fractions are expected from perennial pacemakers West End Charmer and Victory Charm.

Goodwood can often favour those in the van given the downhill run to the line and neither are overlooked. Course-and-distance scorer Victory Charm may prove the stronger of the two in the final furlong given West End Charmer's long absence.

A dual in front would set the race up for Harrovian, who dominated a small field when last seen at Doncaster despite being a big market drifter. He will be ridden by Frankie Dettori, who is fresh from a sensational weekend at Woodbine.

King Vega, who was the highest-rated maiden in the country before dotting up in a weak race over this course and distance 15 days ago, is also likely to employ stalking tactics. He has little to find on ratings after his three-year-old allowance is considered and is the value play.

Perotto (Oisin Murphy) wins the Britannia StakesAscot 17.6.21 Pic: Edward Whitaker/Racing Post
Perotto: a course winner at GoodwoodCredit: Edward Whitaker

Market protagonists Perotto, who has had a busy eight-race season, and the hat-trick-seeking Migration will benefit from an honest early gallop. The hold-up merchants, both of whom have won at the track, will be finishing fast.

That leaves Tyson Fury, who has never run over a trip this sharp, and Fox Tal. The latter is arguably the most talented in the race but regularly shirks a battle and has an extremely high head carriage. Andrea Atzeni rides for the first time, which could be an inspired move.
Race analysis by Tom Collins


What they say

Thady Gosden, joint-trainer of Harrovian
He won very well at Doncaster and Frankie has been on a roll with him of late. He deserves a crack at some black type and we expect him to be competitive.

Richard Spencer, trainer of Tyson Fury
Adam Kirby rode him last time and suggested dropping back in trip. Tom Marquand takes over and the ground should suit him.

Oisin Murphy, rider of King Vega
He got his head in front in a poor race over course and distance last time before which he showed high class form when fifth in a Group 3 at Salisbury. A reproduction of that would put him bang there.

Marcus Tregoning, trainer of Perotto
He likes the track and hopefully should like the trip as we are stepping him up a little. He’ll enjoy the quick ground and should run his usual consistent race.
Reporting by David Milnes


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David MilnesNewmarket correspondent

Published on 21 September 2021inPreviews

Last updated 09:05, 22 September 2021

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