Goodwood Friday Preview – Johnston goes for 6th Mile win
Published:Trainer Mark Johnston notched his second handicap success of the week on Thursday and has three live chances in Friday’s featured Betfred Mile. He has captured this valuable prize on five previous occasions, most recently last year with Fulbright.
His three runners this year are headed by last weekend’s impressive Ascot winner Galician who destroyed a good field to win the International Handicap. He is accompanied by the tough and consistent Es Que Love and the useful three-year-old Windhoek.
Stirring Ballad is certain to be popular after his much publicised luckless run in the Hunt Cup whilst Cape Peron, Wentworth and Dance And Dance all have leading chances. All four of those like to come from behind and it may pay to side with a horse with plenty of early speed.
The progressive Fire Ship could be worth supporting from his draw in stall 7 whilst Galician is certain to be up with the pace from the start.
The card opens with an interesting Group 3 contest over a mile and a half at 1.55. Godolphin are doubly represented with Lost In The Moment and Masterstroke. The latter has not been seen since finishing third in the Arc but his stable companion showed plenty of courage to overcome interference and get up to win at Newmarket.
The Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes at 2.30 is dominated by the in-form Hannon stable. Montiridge is the choice of stable jockey Richard Hughes ahead of the consistent Baltic Knight and that should be the way they finish.
The Group 2 King George Stakes at 3.40 brings together some familiar rivals over five furlongs. Tickled Pink, Kingsgate Native and Swiss Spirit all have claims but there are some promising types in Moviesta and Smoothtalkinrascal stepping up in grade.
Richard Fahey’s Regiment and Paul Cole’s Grecian both have sound claims in the Nursery at 4.15. Preference is just for Grecian who was only narrowly beaten in a similar event at Ascot.
The Group 3 Oak Tree Stakes at 4.50 could see Sir Michael Stoute’s Pavlosk return to winning ways after finding the company too hot in the Coronation at Ascot. She had previously looked a smart filly when winning comfortably at York and this looks to be her level.
The appropriately named Goodwood Mirage can send punters home happy by providing Frankie Dettori with another winner after Thursday’s success on Amazing Maria. The colt performed well at Newmarket in a very competitive handicap and can hold off the lightly raced Retirement Plan and Northern Meeting.
Selections: 1.55 Lost In The Moment, 2.30 Montiridge, 3.05 Fire Ship (NAP), 3.40 Moviesta (nb), 4.15 Grecian, 4.50 Pavlosk, 5.25 Goodwood Mirage
