Glorious Goodwood: Kingman confirmed for Sussex Stakes showdown

Toronado (Richard Hughes) gets up to win the 2013 Sussex Stakes - can he do it again by defeating Kingman? Picture by Malcolm Wells

All eyes will be on Kingman (John Gosden) and Toronado (Richard Hannon) in the mile contest following their exploits at Royal Ascot, with the head-to-head being billed as the latest ‘Duel on the Downs’.

Kingman confirmed himself as the best of the Classic generation over a mile with an explosive two-and-a-quarter length victory in the Group One St James’s Palace Stakes, while Toronado cemented his reputation as Europe’s leading older miler when scoring by three quarters of a length on his return in the Group One Queen Anne Stakes.

The stats are stacked in Kingman’s favour with five of the last six renewals going to the three-year-olds, but Toronado proved himself on Goodwood’s unique contours when denying Dawn Approach in the QIPCO Sussex Stakes 12 months ago.

A top-class line-up for the QIPCO Sussex Stakes is completed by St James’s Palace Stakes third Outstrip (Charlie Appleby) and War Command (Aidan O’Brien), who both scored at the highest level last season, and Darwin (Aidan O’Brien).

Classic clues will be generated in the £80,000 Group Three Neptune Investment Management Gordon Stakes (2.30pm, eight runners), which serves as a key trial for the Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster in September.

A closely-matched field features Group One Coral-Eclipse Stakes third Somewhat (Mark Johnston), plus Scotland (Andrew Balding) and Snow Sky (Sir Michael Stoute), who finished third and fourth respectively in the Group Two King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Other contenders include Investec Derby fifth Red Galileo (Ed Dunlop) and Observational (Roger Charlton), winner of the Listed Casco EBF Stallions Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood on May 23.

Classics contenders for next year could be unleashed in the £80,000 Group Two Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes. The seven-furlong prize has attracted a field of eight, with Ireland’s champion trainer Aidan O’Brien sending over 12-length maiden winner Highland Reel.

Team Hannon are seeking a five-timer and will rely on Sandown Park maiden winner Tupi and Group Two Coventry Stakes seventh Dr No. Dual Group Two-runner-up Ahlan Emirati (Peter Chapple-Hyam) is also engaged.

The seven-race programme on Wednesday gets underway at 1.55pm with the longest race of the five-day meeting, the £40,000 Goodwood Handicap (15 runners) over two miles and five furlongs.

Going

The going at Goodwood ahead of the first day of Glorious Goodwood tomorrow remains Good, Good to Firm in places on the round course (Watered).

The GoingStick average was 8.1 at 3pm.

It was dry overnight. The course missed the storms which hit nearby Sussex towns, with only 1.5 millimetres of rain seen at the course this morning.

Seamus Buckley, Goodwood’s Clerk of the Course, said on Monday afternoon: “There will be selective watering this evening to maintain the current going.

“The forecast up to and including Friday is for predominantly dry weather.

“I am very pleased with the condition of the course and looking forward to tremendous racing during the five days of Glorious Goodwood, especially the latest Duel on the Downs between Kingman and Toronado.”

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