Goodwood or York next for ‘improving’ Rogue Diplomat Rogue Diplomat will aim for a first black-type win at either York or Goodwood following his big effort in the Lennox Stakes. James Owen’s four-year-old continues to improve at a rapid rate, and after beginning a winning run of four off a mark of 81 last August, he is now rated 115. Having won the Royal Hunt Cup in June, Owen stepped him up to Group Two company at Goodwood and he got within a neck of Lake Forest. Owen had been thinking of giving him a rest before the Prix de la Foret and Champions Day at Ascot, but the horse is so well in himself the City of York Stakes or the Celebration Mile will be his next port of call. “He’s come out of Goodwood really well actually. He’s got the entry at York and the entry at Goodwood and I think we’re pretty keen to run in one of those, we’re just deciding which one we go for,” said Owen. “I would say he’ll definitely be going in one of those races. “He’s a very versatile horse, over seven or a mile he’s fine and he’s physically improving. I actually think he’s improved physically since Goodwood. I went away for a few days and when I got back he looked fantastic – hence the sort of change of heart really.” He added: “He’s a class horse now and we can look at some nice targets with him. “He really has gone on this year and is just a progressive horse.”
