Quito Seeks Golden Mile

Quito bids to win over a mile for the first time in this country when he lines up for the bet365 Ben Marshall Stakes at Newmarket tomorrow.

Although David Chapman's evergreen nine-year-old won a mile maiden at Nad Al Sheba for his first ever success in November 2001 when he was owned by Sheikh Mohammed, all his other 19 wins have come over six or seven furlongs.

The son of Machiavellian has been in fine form this year, winning three times and finishing second in the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock. Now he is set to take on eight rivals in this Listed contest over the Rowley Mile.

'He runs barring accidents and he's in very good form,' said Chapman, who believes Quito will stay the distance.

'I've always thought he'd get a mile. Tony (Culhane) has always thought six or seven was his trip, but after he rode him over seven at Newmarket last time he said with another furlong he would have been right with them.

'He said he thinks I could be right, but we'll find out on Saturday.'

Chapman came under criticism from some quarters for running Quito, a veteran of 111 races, 17 of which have come this year, in successive days at Newmarket two weeks ago.

'He ran better on the Saturday when it was reckoned he looked badly. Doesn't make sense, does it?' the York trainer remarked.

'If he hadn't have eaten up or there had been the slightest doubt he wouldn't have run.

'We must have underdone him. That's why he ran too fresh the first day with the choke out. He couldn't get cover. If he had done, it would have been a different matter.'

Quito may well turn out again on the last day of the turf season at Windsor over six furlongs the following Saturday.

'I just wish the six-furlong race came first,' added Chapman.

'He'll have to have a break after that. I don't think there's anything for him on the all-weather, but we won't rough him off completely.'

(C) PA Sport