Bow Echo faces quality opposition as he bids to extend his unbeaten record in the prestigious G1 Sussex Stakes (1611m) at Goodwood on Wednesday (29 July).
The exciting three-year-old has already won the G1 2000 Guineas (1600m) and the G1 St James’s Palace Stakes (1594m) this season, and is favourite to win again and further enhance his reputation.
Trainer George Boughey is full of admiration for Bow Echo and is excited at the prospect of another top-class contest.
Boughey said: “He is so relaxed, so chilled and he’s got this extraordinary turn of foot. He’s the fastest horse I’ve trained. I’m relaxed about Goodwood because Bow Echo shows his ability every morning on the gallops.”
Boughey’s confidence is shared by Billy Loughnane, Bow Echo’s regular rider. He said: “His performance in the 2000 Guineas surprised me. There was a good pace, and the race went smoothly. When he has that, he’s a gear above this year’s three-year-olds.
“In the St James’s Palace at Ascot it was anything but perfect. He got a big bump for the first time in his life and things became messy, so the fact he was still able to win put a feather in his cap.”
Gstaad, only just beaten by Bow Echo at Ascot, was also bumped. Trainer Aidan O’Brien is not given to making bold predictions and does not claim that the placings will be reversed at Goodwood, but said: “Things didn’t go perfectly either in the 2000 Guineas or at Ascot, but he has come out of those races well. I am delighted with his work since. He’s progressive and I think the Sussex Stakes will suit him.”
It is not a two-horse race, with Lake Forest and Opera Ballo among the other contenders. Lake Forest is also favourite for Tuesday’s(28 July) G2 HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes, where the 1411m is likely to suit him more than the mile trip of the Sussex Stakes.
Opera Ballo, winner of the G1 Jebel Hatta (1800m) at Meydan in the United Arab Emirates in January, ran a strong race when finishing third after trying to lead all the way in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes (1600m) at Ascot.
Trainer Charlie Appleby said: “Surprisingly, he came out of the race at Ascot very well. I thought he’d sleep a bit after that run as it was an end-to-end gallop and he did it the hard way. But he hasn’t, he’s come out of it bouncing. He’s always had the pace, it’s just about trying to control it slightly.”
Opera Ballo is not an easy ride. William Buick, who reunites with him, said: “He usually breaks quickly and is a high-tempo horse. When you ask him to go slower it doesn’t suit him.”
Loughnane has ridden both Bow Echo and Opera Ballo and said: “They are both very talented but also very different. It’s going to be a great race, perhaps the race of the season, but I wouldn’t switch which horse I’m on.”
The Sussex Stakes is the day’s highlight, but the G3 Oak Tree Stakes (1411m) and the G3 Molecomb Stakes (1000m) add further depth to the card.
The G3 Oak Tree Stakes (1411m) is carded as S2-3 and will be run at 10pm (Hong Kong time) on Wednesday, 29 July; the G3 Molecomb Stakes (1000m) is carded as S2-4 and will be run at 10.35pm; the G1 Sussex Stakes (1611m) is carded as S2-5 and will be run at 11.10pm.