Quito Refreshed For Group Three Bid

Goodwood Racecourse concludes another entertaining season of racing on the downs with a seven-race card on Tuesday, September 26, featuring the prestigious seven-furlong #50,000 Group Three Merbury Catering Consultants Supreme Stakes, in which the popular Quito could bid for a deserved first Group-race victory.

The David Chapman-trained nine-year-old, one of 21 entered, is a prolific Listed race winner and was beaten only a neck when runner-up to Reverence in the Group One Betfred Sprint Cup over six furlongs at Haydock on September 2.

Chapman revealed today: 'I think he will run at Goodwood and Robert Winston will ride him. He has won three Listed races this season and was only beaten a neck in the Group One so it would be nice to win a Group Three race with him.'

Quito landed a seven-furlong Listed contest at Haydock five days after his Group One effort, but could manage only seventh behind Iffraaj when pitched into the Group Two GNER Park Stakes at York 48 hours later.

Chapman reported: 'We ran him five times in quick succession and we just went to the well once too often at York, but his rest has done him good and he´s bounced back.

'He´s in great form but we´re hoping for a drop of rain. If it´s fast ground, he probably won´t run.'

The course had nine millimetres of rain last night. The going is currently described as good and the forecast is for unsettled weather over the next few days.

Goodwood is renowned for hosting excellent racing and the 2006 season has been no exception, with some vintage performances that will live long in the memory, most notably the pulsating duel for the Group One Vodafone Nassau Stakes at the Festival Meeting in early August between the fantastic racemares Ouija Board and Alexander Goldrun, which saw Lord Derby´s crowd favourite, the former, prevail by a short-head.

Another quality contest is on the cards for the Group Three Merbury Catering Consultants Supreme Stakes, the centrepiece of Merbury Caterers Day on Tuesday.

Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor is likely to be represented by Group Three winner Satchem who won the Listed Empire Property Group On The House Stakes over a mile at Goodwood in June. The handler could also saddle 2005 Group One Betfred Sprint Cup victor Goodricke and 2004 Group Two Betfair Cup winner Byron.

Sir Mark Prescott has entered Group Three winner Violette, who was most recently seen finishing last of eight behind Spinning Queen in a Leopardstown Group Three in July. The filly was due to work this morning, after which a decision will be made regarding her participation.

Mark Johnston, leading trainer at the Festival Meeting in July, may saddle Prince Of Light who scored over the course and distance in the Listed Vodafone Thoroughbred Stakes in August, while Ladbrokes Portland Handicap winner Fantasy Believer, twice victorious over six furlongs at Goodwood this term, could run for another Yorkshire handler, John Quinn.

The James Bethell-trained three-time Bunbury Cup winner Mine may also make the journey from Yorkshire.

Group Three winner Jedburgh, trained at Arundel by John Dunlop, chased home Iffraaj in the Group Two Betfair Cup in August, while Polar Ben and Dream Theme have both been successful over the course and distance.

A solid Irish challenge is on the cards with the Robbie Osborne-trained Group Three Desmond Stakes victor King Jock another possible alongside dual Group Three heroine Jazz Princess, trained by Michael Halford, and the Edward Lynam-trained Duff.

The Group Three event is often won by a horse of the highest calibre and the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Soviet Line took the prize in 1994 before capturing back-to-back renewals of the Group One Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes at Newbury in 1995 and 1996.

The 1996 victor, Tagula, had landed the previous season´s Group One Prix Morny at Deauville, while Mount Abu, successful in 2000, went on to score at the highest level in the Prix de la Foret at Longchamp.

Firebreak captured the contest in 2002 and subsequently proved himself on the international stage, twice winning the Group Two Godolphin Mile at Nad Al Sheba and ending his career with a Group One triumph in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin.

John Gosden, successful with Mount Abu, also saddled Anshan to victory in 1990, while Decorated Hero´s wins in 1997 and 1998 make the Newmarket handler the race´s winning-most trainer.

Sir Michael Stoute took his winning tally in the Merbury Catering Consultants Supreme Stakes to three last year when Arakan, under Kieren Fallon, prevailed by a length and a half from the Frankie Dettori-ridden Sabbeeh.

Goodwood´s final fixture of 2006 commences at 2.00pm on Tuesday with the #7,000 Electrolux Professional Nursery over a mile, which was won last year by subsequent Group Three Rose Of Lancaster Stakes victor, Mulaqat.

The seven-race card also includes the six-furlong #5,500 Sharp Commercial Microwave Oven EBF Median Auction Maiden Fillies´ Stakes (2.30pm), the #5,500 Westler Foods Handicap (3.05pm) over two miles, the 10-furlong #5,500 Support Fair Trade With FFI The Coffee People Maiden Stakes at 4.15pm and the penultimate #9,000 Premier Foods Handicap (4.50pm) over a mile.

Goodwood´s racing this year concludes at 5.25pm with the seven-furlong #8,500 Crosse & Blackwell Handicap, which went the way of High Bray in 2005, who held this season´s Group Three Stan James Dahlia Stakes heroine Violet Park by a neck.

Goodwood´s final race day of 2006 also brings the curtain down on a thrilling race for the Rolls Royce Dick Hern Award for leading trainer at the course, with three handlers in joint first place.

Imperial Stride´s last gasp victory in the Listed Charles James Home Foundation Stakes at Goodwood´s fixture last week put the Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor level with Richard Hannon and James Fanshawe on six wins, while John Dunlop and Mick Channon are in close pursuit with five victories apiece.

Godolphin´s number one rider Frankie Dettori is currently locked in equal first place with local boy and champion jockey-elect Ryan Moore. Both riders have 15 wins as they compete for the honour of being the top jockey at the West Sussex course in 2006.