2000 Guineas: Vandeek cut after Middle Park Stakes success
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Vandeek has been cut to 8/1 from 14/1 in Coral’s 2000 Guineas betting odds after an impressive victory in the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.
The Simon and Ed Crisford-trained Havana Grey colt went into the race unbeaten having landed a Nottingham maiden, the Richmond at Goodwood and the Prix Morny throughout the year.
He was the heavily-backed 5/4 favourite under James Doyle and left the stalls a touch slowly before being tucked in behind rivals in the early stages of the race.
When a gap appeared Doyle guided him through it and from there he accelerated readily to leave the whole field behind him and triumph by two and a quarter lengths from Task Force, with River Tiber a head further back in third.
“He’s beautiful with a wonderful temperament and all of the talent to match,” said Simon Crisford.
“He’s very fast and very good, but the way he was walking around the paddock with his ears pricked, half asleep, is a great testament to his whole preparation from his breeder through to his preparation as a breeze-up horse.”
Coral’s John Hill said: “Vandeek has shown once again that he has lightning speed, and after shining over 6f at Newmarket, he may remain at the sprint trips, but should connections want to take their chance in the 2000 Guineas next year, he is third best in the betting for the British Classic.”
Task Force is 16/1 in the ante post 2000 Guineas betting odds and trainer Ralph Beckett was very satisfied with his second place.
“I’m really pleased. He is a horse that we have crept here with, as you can see he is not the finished article by any means,” said Beckett.
“This is a horse that has done it all on his own as we have not been keen to turn the screw on him. I think it is unlikely he will show up in the Dewhurst, but I’m really pleased with what he has done today. He has split two very good horses, so I’m delighted.
“He handled it very well today, better than I thought he would. He learnt again today. I’d say on the back of today I’d be keen to turn up here on the first weekend in May (2000 Guineas) and you might not see him again until then.”
Ghostwriter still unbeaten
Earlier in the afternoon, Ghostwriter kept up his 100 per cent record in the Royal Lodge Stakes and he is now fourth favourite at 12/1 (from 33/1) in the 2024 2000 Guineas betting odds.
The Invincible Spirit two-year-old was a wide-margin maiden winner at the July course on debut and then took an Ascot novice in convincing style in early September.
Stepped up to Group Two level on the Rowley Mile and ridden by Richard Kingscote, the Jeff Smith-owned bay was not hard pressed to ease ahead of eight rivals and prevail by a length at 100/30, in what looked a good renewal. Al Musmak and Capulet took second and third respectively.
Cox said: “That was very special and I’m so thrilled for Jeff. He has been improving with every run and that was a big step to take. I couldn’t be more pleased with the way he has carried it out and he looks full of promise going forward.
“The dam (Moorside) won over a mile and a half and I think he has a very good middle-distance plan to go forwards with.
“He was very much in his comfort zone and Richard was able to play him exactly as he felt and he quickened nicely when he met the rising ground there and I couldn’t be more pleased.
“He has always been a nice horse, but he has always been maturing and having a frame to fill while keeping his strength moving forwards. This cements what we thought so far and the dream is very much alive for next year.
“It is really exciting. We are normally known for our sprinting division but in the meantime it is such a joy to have a horse like this on our hands as it does set the pulse racing.”
Qipco 2000 Guineas betting odds
5/2 City Of Troy
4/1 Henry Longfellow
8/1 Vandeek
12/1 Ghostwriter, Rosallion
16/1 Diego Velazquez, River Tiber, Task Force
20/1 Army Ethos
25/1 Bar
All odds and market correct at date of publication
