James Toller's exciting juvenile Saigon could next be seen in action at Glorious Goodwood just a fortnight after his impressive effort in landing the listed Rose Bowl Stakes at Newbury, writes Elliot Slater.
The Group 2 Tanqueray Richmond Stakes appears on the agenda for the speedy son of Royal Applause who has reportedly recovered well from the Newbury race in which he was held up at the rear of the field before making good headway approaching the final furlong then stayed on powerfully to get up in the very last strides to catch the front-running Caspar Netscher and score by a neck. Anyone following the Betfair Glorious Goodwood betting should bear this in mind.
Saigon had made his racecourse bow only on the 30 June at Yarmouth when ridden (as he was at Newbury) by Kirsty Milczarek, and made the perfect start to his racing career when winning in very similar fashion. After missing the break Toller's colt came from off the pace to lead close home and beat Justineo by a head, showing the fine attitude that served him so well in better company at Newbury 15 days later.
Toller is of the opinion that his latest quality performer will train on and be a horse for next year and is keen not to go to the well too often in 2011, but having said that he also feels it would be unwise to miss the boat and let winnable opportunities pass them by. Saigon is a half-brother to the formerly useful Richard Whittaker-trained sprinter Tabaret who, (having won in listed company as a juvenile), trained on well at three, running with credit in pattern race company at Newmarket and Royal Ascot before carving out a career as a useful handicap sprinter in later years.
Meanwhile, fans of Betfair Paul Nicholls will be looking forward to the National Hunt season.