New Treasure on a quest for further riches for team Gosden in Classic trial

3.20 Newmarket
bet365 Feilden Stakes | Listed | 1m1f | 3yo | RTV

The most notable winner of this Listed prize in recent years is the mighty Golden Horn, who was successful in 2015 and kickstarted a scintillating season with four Group 1 triumphs, including in the Derby and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

His trainer John Gosden has also won this race with Kick On (2019) and Khalidi (2017) in recent years, so the natural starting point has to be New Treasure.

A 66-1 scorer of a heavy-ground Group 3 at the Curragh last August when trained by Jim Bolger, New Treasure has recorded two solid placed performances at Meydan and Riyadh in the UAE and Saudi Derbys this year since joining the Gosden team.

He may have less scope for improvement than some of his rivals, but boasts proven race-fitness and comes out top on official ratings in receipt of 3lb from Fancy Man.

The overwhelming feeling, however, is that one of the lesser exposed runners may have his measure, with Royal Champion a prime contender.

The Roger Varian-trained unbeaten colt overcame inexperience to land a Newmarket maiden last September by a length and a quarter from Toromona, with the pair over five lengths clear of the remainder.

A general 33-1 chance for the Qipco 2,000 Guineas, Royal Champion also holds entries in the Cazoo Derby and Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes.

Secret Protector, another Guineas entrant, stepped up on a comfortable Kempton win in September when justifying odds-on favouritism at Meydan in February. He is clearly going the right way.

Stablemate Highland Avenue is another highly promising three-year-old who takes a step up in grade, while Youth Spirit looks the type to progress this year after finishing an excellent third to Battleground in the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood last July.

Aidan O’Brien’s representative, Arturo Toscanini, landed a heavy-ground Curragh maiden last November and is quoted at a general 40-1 for the Derby.

What They Say

Aidan O’Brien, trainer of Arturo Toscanini
We were delighted with him when he won on bad ground at the Curragh but we think he’ll handle nice ground. He’s got pace and is a strong traveller, so you ride him for that.

Joseph Tuite, trainer of Gentleman Joe
He’s a horse we like very much. We know it’s a big step up in trip and in class but the race he won at Kempton is working out nicely.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Highland Avenue and Secret Protector
This looks the right race for both colts and this will tell us where we are trip-wise with both. Highland Avenue is having his first start on turf and won well last time as did Secret Protector on turf at Meydan. They have chances in a competitive race.

John Gosden, joint-trainer of New Treasure
He ran well on dirt in Saudi Arabia and then again in Dubai but he is not an easy horse to place. This looks the right race for him and it will be interesting to see how he goes back on turf.

Roger Varian, trainer of Royal Champion
We’re very pleased with him as he’s wintered well and has enjoyed a smooth preparation. It looks a strong race, but this looks a nice place to get him started. We know he handles the track having won his maiden there last September.

Oisin Murphy, rider of Youth Spirit
He seems in good form at home and I had a sit on him last Saturday. He’s fresh and ready to start off.
Reporting by David Milnes

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