Siskin advertises Classic potential with scintillating victory in Railway Stakes

Siskin maintained his unbeaten record with a commanding victory in the Group 2 Railway Stakes at the Curragh to cement his position as one of the most exciting juveniles to appear on the track this season.

Owned by Khalid Abdullah, Siskin broke well and showed an impressive turn of foot to power clear of his four rivals over the final furlong, justifying 4-6 favouritism and finishing two and a half lengths clear of the Aidan O'Brien trained Monarch Of Egypt.

The Ger Lyons-trained son of First Defence was slashed to 12-1 (from 20-1) by some bookmakers for the 2020 Qipco 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket.

The Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes back at the Curragh in August is the next target for the colt who was a third winner on the day for Lyons and stable jockey Colin Keane.

Lyons said: "I didn't want to run him in the Coventry Stakes and Teddy [Grimthorpe, owner's racing manager] backed me 100 per cent. On the Sunday before Ascot we spoke and he asked me what I wanted to do. I told him I wanted to stick to my original plan and he was fine with that.

"It's a huge bonus to have an owner like Prince Khalid in the yard and in Colin Keane we have the best jockey in Ireland riding for us.

"We've been looking for horses of this calibre for 20 years so we should know what we're doing. It's very competitive in Ireland and it would mean a lot if Siskin goes on and wins a Group 1 back here next month."

Expert view: a juvenile crackerjack emerges

In the immediate aftermath of the Coventry Stakes my view was that it was a good, not great race, and that there was room for a horse to jump to the top of the rankings among the juvenile colts.

Plenty of people felt Siskin would have been a major player if heading to Ascot, but connections decided to wait and were rewarded with the standout display of the season in the Railway Stakes.

Ger Lyons looks to have a crackerjack on his hands, given how Siskin travelled powerfully off the leaders before bolting clear. He defeated Monarch Of Egypt – who had also missed the royal meeting – by two and a half lengths, but the Coventry form was represented by fourth Fort Myers, who finished third, nearly five lengths behind the winner.

Siskin should easily get another furlong, and beyond, so if anyone wants to back him for the Guineas, for which he is a best-priced 14-1, I would not stop them.

David Baxter

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