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Zavateri Heads The Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes
Eve Johnson Houghton - trainer of the Group 1 National Stakes winner – shares an update his progress ahead of Saturday’s feature race
Eight runners have been declared for the Group 3 Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes, a seven-furlong contest worth £100,000 and the feature race of Saturday’s card on Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials Weekend at Newbury Racecourse. Eve Johnson Houghton’s Group 1 winner, Zavateri, currently heads the market at 2/1.
The Mick and Janice Mariscotti-owned colt was among last year’s standout juveniles, winning his first four starts, including the Group 2 July Stakes at Newmarket and the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood, before landing the Group 1 National Stakes at the Curragh.
Reflecting on his achievements to date, Johnson Houghton commented: “He’s always done well, and he’s always worked well without shouting about it. So we expected him to win his first race. Well, you never expect it, but it’s great when it happens, and he’s done nothing but impress me since.”
Zavateri signed off a busy first season with a respectable fourth in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket and is due to make his seasonal reappearance on Saturday, with regular jockey Charlie Bishop booked to ride. Johnson Houghton added: “Hopefully it’s going to continue this year. I can’t see a reason why it wouldn’t. He’s done really well physically. As you can see, he’s in great form with himself. He really rates himself.
On how long this this race has been the plan, Johnson Houghton explained: “It’s always been in the back of our minds – we were always going to enter and have a look at it. Newbury’s a great track. It’s very local, we like it and it’ll just give us an idea where we are with him.”
Zavateri currently holds entries for the 2000 Guineas and the Irish 2000 Guineas, Johnson Houghton commented: “He’ll definitely run in one, maybe two, but we will work out where we’re going after Saturday.”
Aidan O’Brien’s Albert Einstein is due to make the trip over from Ballydoyle. A dual winner from two starts last season, including success in the Group 3 Marble Hill Stakes at the Curragh, the son of Wootton Bassett was strongly fancied for the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket but disappointed on seasonal debut at the Curragh last month. He was mistakenly removed from the entries for the season’s first Classic on Saturday 2 May but could still be supplemented back in.
Simon and Ed Crisford will saddle Title Role, with Ryan Moore booked to ride. Last seen winning the Listed 2000 Guineas at Meydan, he is one of two lining up for owners Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Westerberg, alongside Albert Einstein.
Karl Burke will run Alparslan, who also contested the Dewhurst Stakes, while William Haggas is represented by Needle Match, a maiden winner over an extended six and a half furlongs at Newbury in October.
Gonna Fly, Aqpan, and Ardisia complete the field.
Meanwhile, the Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Stakes, registered as The Fred Darling, has attracted a field of 15 three-year-old fillies, headed by the Owen Burrows-trained Touleen, who also holds an entry in the 1000 Guineas, heads the market.
Her potential rivals include Princess Petrol for Ed Walker and Catching The Moon from the Richard and Peter Fahey yard.
Later on the card, the Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes, registered as The John Porter, has seen Constitution Hill omitted at the declarations stage, but the favourite Convergent goes forward for trainer Karl Burke.
Other notable contenders include Pride Of Arras for Ralph Beckett and William Haggas’ Al Aasy.
