Goldream ‘probably won’t run’ in Temple Stakes at Haydock

Geoffrey Riddle reports on the Group Two sprint over 1000 metres which looks set to be rain-hit on Saturday.

Goldream may not take up his engagement in the Temple Stakes at Haydock on Saturday due to forecast rain.

The King’s Stand Stakes winner was set to clash with three other Meydan regulars in Sole Power, Sir Maximilian and Al Quoz Sprint fifth Muthmir in the Group Two sprint over 1000 metres.

After Thursday’s declarations Goldream is set to be partnered by regular jockey Martin Harley, while Sir Maximilian will be ridden by Pat Cosgrave. Sole Power will be ridden for the first time by Frenchman Gregory Benoist, who becomes the veteran sprinter’s 11th rider.

All four would prefer good ground or faster, but with the bad weather set to hit the north of England that looks unlikely.

“Depending on the ground he probably won’t run,” trainer Robert Cowell said. “They are expecting 15mm of rain and if that materialises then he will skip the race and go straight to Royal Ascot to defend his crown in the King’s Stand Stakes. If the ground is good or better he will run.”

Goldream ran twice at Meydan during the winter without success, finishing seventh in the Meydan Sprint and ninth to Buffering in the Al Quoz on World Cup night in March. Sole Power and Sir Maximilian followed him home.

“He simply didn’t acclimatise to Dubai,” Cowell added. “I don’t know whether I did not have him at Meydan long enough, or he was there for too long but his coat was dull and never looked right. It is just one of those things.

“He is absolutely full of himself and he is flying right now, so it would be a shame to miss the race.”

The quartet face stiff opposition in Mecca’s Angel, the five-year-old mare who slayed Royal Ascot winner Acapulco on easy going in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York in August.

Mecca’s Angel has not won since and the rain will be much appreciated by trainer Michael Dods and jockey Paul Mulrennan.

The stage is set at the Curragh in Ireland for the second clash between Galileo Gold and Air Force Blue, after both horses were declared for the Irish 2,000 Guineas on Saturday.

Galileo Gold was an impressive winner of the English equivalent at the start of the month, and is bidding to become the ninth horse to complete the Guineas double.

Air Force Blue was bitterly disappointing when finishing 12th behind Galileo Gold in the English 2,000 Guineas, and will be joined by stablemates Air Vice Marshall, who was fourth at Newmarket, Bravery and Shogun.

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