SOME great horses have had their names inscribed on the Sussex Stakes trophy in recent years, stars like Soviet Song, Rock Of Gibraltar and Giants Causeway, and it might be the case that a foreign visitor will join them this afternoon.
The challenger from South Africa, Asiatic Boy, has a remarkable record and a reputation that goes with it, making him a major player in the one-mile highlight of the day.
The four-year-old, trained by Mike de Kock, has won all four of his races this season, all at Nad Al Sheba, including the UAE Derby, and all on the dirt track.
Originally from Argentina, where he did win a race on grass, Asiatic Boy has made the journey across the world to try to enhance an already high regard by winning on turf in Great Britain.
The opposition is maybe not as formidable as in past runnings of this race, but it is representative enough of the two generations of thoroughbred in this country and Ireland.
Four Irish horses, a colt from the worldwide Godolphin stable and two English-trained contenders make up the numbers in what is a fascinating contest. Aidan O'Brien, in familiar style, has three going for him, Archipenko, Trinity College and Excellent Art.
Of those, Excellent Art appeals most and may well be good enough to collect a third victory for O'Brien in 10 years. His win in the St James's Palace Stakes reads well and he looks sure to go close.
Ramonti, the Godolphin runner, had a memorable duel with the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Jeremy in the Queen Anne Stakes, winning by a short head. There may be very little between them again this afternoon, and hopes are high in each stable.
The tactics of the race will be interesting but perhaps Trinity College will set a pace strong enough to prevent it turning into a two-furlong sprint. In his four wins this season, the closest any horse has got to Asiatic Boy (3.30) has been four-and-a-half lengths and, if he can display his class on English turf, he might well add to his unbeaten run this term.
However the Godolphin stable fares in that race, it looks sure to have a big say in the Group 2 Veuve Clicquot Stakes, which has seven smart juveniles over seven furlongs.
Their representative, Rio de la Plata, ran promisingly on his debut at Newmarket, finishing third over six furlongs, but left that form well behind when producing a scintillating burst of speed to win over a furlong farther at the same track next time out. He looked classy material in that display.
Il Warrd and Scintillo, among others, can make this a hot race. Certainly Marcus Tregoning, who trains Il Warrd, expects the conditions at Goodwood to bring out the best in his runner. "He's in very good form and the drying ground will be in his favour," said the trainer, who won the race with subsequent Derby hero Sir Percy in 2005.
"It should be perfect for him. You would think being by Pivotal he would appreciate a bit of cut, but he seems to like it quicker. That may be because he's a developing horse."
That said, I go for Rio de la Plata (2.50) to win again.
Esprit De Corps (2.15) has a chance in the opening Goodwood Stakes but so, too, do many others of the 17 runners, among them Kayf Aramis, Som Tala and Commemoration Day.
However, the Philip Hobbs-trained Esprit De Corps, who won his first hurdle race last month, looks well enough handicapped to get involved in the finish. The BGC Stakes is another tough handicap, but the consistent Man Of Vision (4.05) should run well.
At Perth, Love That Benny (4.15) seems to be improving and can take the Renault Vans Handicap Chase.
Selections: Goodwood: 2.15 Esprit De Corps, 2.50 Rio de la Plata, 3.30 Asiatic Boy, 4.05 Man Of Vision Perth 4.15 Love That Benny
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