Charlie Appleby bullish about Maximized, but will Ballydoyle hope deny him a first July Stakes?

Charlie Appleby is often the trainer to follow when it comes to juvenile races on the July course at Newmarket, but the July Stakes has eluded him.

The Godolphin trainer has saddled 76 winners from 251 juvenile runners (30 per cent strike-rate) on the July course and has a 21.9 per cent strike-rate (17-32) in two-year-old events at Listed class or above at the track.

Those course figures are even better since 2020, with a juvenile strike-rate of 35.6 per cent (36-101) and a 26.7 per cent in stakes races (4-15) – 73 per cent of his two-year-olds in Listed class or above in that timeframe have finished in the top three.

His two July Stakes runners since 2020 finished third and proved to be better over further, so Maximized, who is bred to be quick, is probably the best chance he’s ever had in the race.

A £720,000 breeze-up buy, the Mehmas colt took his unbeaten record to two with victory in the Woodcote last time, and that form was well advertised when the runner-up won the Windsor Castle. The yard last won that contest with subsequent three-time Group 1 winner Pinatubo and similar targets could await Maximized.

Maximized is joint-top on adjusted Racing Post Ratings with Jel Pepper, who was an impressive winner of his sole start, and Coventry runner-up Do Or Do Not, who is still a maiden after three starts.

Recent history is against the last-two-named, and the once-raced Brussels and Zavateri, given every winner in the last ten runnings had run at least twice and lost their maiden tag, although you couldn’t safely rule any of them out.

Comical Point is interesting as he's the only one yet to tackle six furlongs. His trainer Andrew Balding won this in 2020 with one who was stepping up in trip after Royal Ascot and Comical Point shaped as though the extra distance would suit when a staying-on fifth in the Norfolk. He could run a big race.
Analysis by Harry Wilson

Will Brussels spoil Appleby's party?

Coolmore had the measure of Godolphin in the top juvenile races at Royal Ascot, but will they have the upper hand on the opening day of the July festival with Brussels?

Brussels: a debut winner for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan MooreCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Aidan O'Brien's runner certainly has the scope to improve against Godolphin's Maximized following his impressive debut win in May, with the second and third winning since. His performance earned an RPR of 93, just 3lb less than what his main rival achieved when winning the Woodcote in one less start.

O'Brien believes there is more to come, and said: "He was green and babyish when he won his maiden at the Curragh and we think that experience would've done him the world of good. He's a nice colt and we're looking forward to seeing how he gets on. We think he'll come forward nicely from his run at the Curragh."

Maximised could also take a big step forward at Newmarket and Charlie Appleby said: "Maximized is two from two, stepping up from his novice to win nicely at Epsom. We gave him a break afterwards as the plan was always to miss Royal Ascot. He goes into this in great shape. He's on an upward curve and hopefully the one they all have to beat."

What they say

Philip Robinson, racing manager to Saeed Suhail, owner of Comical Point
We're very much looking forward to seeing him at this distance. He stayed on really well in the Norfolk Stakes and was doing all his best work in the last furlong. He did nothing wrong in that race and the step up in trip should bring out further improvement.

Ed Walker, trainer of Do Or Do Not
He's the highest-rated maiden in the country after his second in the Coventry and we're keeping him at Group 2 company. He's a cool horse and it'll be really interesting to see how he runs. He's straightforward and if he backs up his Coventry run he should go close. It was a big surprise at Royal Ascot as he was 80-1 and yet to win a race, but his run at York was good as the horse that beat him [Tadej] also ran well in the Coventry.

Oliver Cole, joint-trainer of Jel Pepper
He's a very good horse and we've always thought a lot of him. He's had a nice break since his debut at Goodwood and he goes there fresh and well. We're hoping for a big performance.

Eve Johnson Houghton, trainer of Zavateri
He ran really well to win on his debut and I really liked how he quickened away from his rivals. The form doesn't look the strongest, but he could do no more than win so we thought why not have a go in this. He's a lovely horse and we hope he can run a great race.
Reporting by Matt Rennie

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