Weekender heads strong winter cast for Listed Wild Flower Stakes

5.40 Kempton
32Red Wild Flower Stakes (Listed) | 1m4f | 3yo+ | RTV

Why is it interesting?

It is not every December night a 112-rated horse is on show, but Weekender, a Khalid Abdullah-owned homebred, puts his unbeaten record on the all-weather on the line.

He is a classy operator who is three-from-three on synthetic surfaces, but his task is far from straightforward with the capable Loxley and Yorkshire Cup third Mildenberger in opposition.

There could also be another danger in the shape of William Haggas’ improving three-year-old Pablo Escobarr.

What do the stats say?

Mildenberger won on his racecourse debut in 2017 and at Newmarket last year after 199 days off, so his absence since May might not be a problem.

His trainer Mark Johnston won this in 2015 with Fire Fighting, while Hugo Palmer, successful a year later with Crimean Tatar, fields Collide, who runs for the first time since a wind operation.

What do connections say?

Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to Khalid Abdullah, owner of Collide and Weekender
Weekender has been very consistent and we'd like him to win a stakes race. He's been in good form and has trained well through the early part of the winter, so hopefully he can put it all together. Collide is coming back from a break, but Hugo [Palmer] has always liked him and the distance is correct with him. He's got a bit of talent and I hope he won't be disgraced by any means.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Loxley
He has put up solid efforts on his last two runs and ran a good race over this course and distance last time behind Young Rascal, who is a very good horse. He has a bit to find on the book with Weekender but, if Loxley reproduces his last two performances, it should make him very competitive. Hopefully he can run another good race and we can look at taking him out to Dubai again for some of the nice races during the carnival there.

Angus Gold, racing manager to Hissa Hamdan Al Maktoum, owner of Hameem
It was a career-best last time and it would be lovely to win a Listed race with her. I think she's good enough on her very best form. This is her last run, so it would be lovely to go out on a winning note, while she's got form on the all-weather.

William Haggas, trainer of Pablo Escobarr
He's in good form and ran well last time, which was his first run after a wind op. I think he'll appreciate the step up in trip, but it's quite a competitive race for December. I think he's come on for that last run.

Ralph Beckett, trainer of Hermosura
She's got a lot to find on ratings and we're just trying to nick some black type. She likes the track, which will help.

What do our tipsters say?

Weekender has a good chance on his 1m6f form but he was behind Loxley when dropped back to 1m4f at Newmarket in September and the four-year-old has since performed creditably over this course and distance. The fitting of cheekpieces may enable Loxley to come out on top.
Steve Boow

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