Rio De La Plata Heads 186 Entries In Racing Post Trophy

Rio De La Plata, who looked right out of the top draw when taking the Group Two Vintage Stakes at Goodwood in decisive fashion on August 1, heads a superb 186-strong entry for the £200,000 Racing Post Trophy, run at Doncaster on Saturday, October 27. The mile contest is the final Group One race of the British Flat season.

The Rahy colt was following up a five-length success from Fifteen Love in a seven-furlong Newmarket maiden the previous month and is one of 10 entries for Godolphin, including the $11.7 million yearling Meydan City.

Aidan O'Brien is responsible for 47 of the 61 Irish entries, including Henrythenavigator, who lost his 100 per cent record when runner-up in the Group One Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh on August 12, and Vintage Stakes second Lizard Island, who had previously got the better of stable companion South Dakota in the Group Two Railway Stakes. O'Brien has landed the Racing Post Trophy four times with Saratoga Springs (1997), Our Aristotle (1999), High Chaparral (2001) and Brian Boru (2002).

Winker Watson, who captured the Group Two Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, maintained his unbeaten record with a thrilling last to first victory in the Group Two July Stakes at Newmarket on July 12, edging out River Proud by a short-head. He is among nine entries for Peter Chapple-Hyam, who captured the Racing Post Trophy last year with subsequent Epsom Derby hero Authorized and in 1998 with Commander Collins.

Although yet to been seen out in public, Amaakin, a son of Gone West, has already been well-backed for next year's 2000 Guineas - he is as low as 16/1 with some firms - and is another intriguing contender for the Chapple-Hyam stable.

The Jim Bolger-trained New Approach recorded his second victory from as many starts in the Group Three Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown on July 28, while Bruges, trained by David Myerscough, is defending a perfect race record having followed up a six-furlong maiden win at the Curragh with a taking success in a Listed prize at Leopardstown over an extra furlong on July 4.

Raven's Pass, trained by John Gosden, turned the Listed Kleenex Winkfield Stakes at Ascot on July 28 into a procession, storming home by five lengths from Unnefer, while Maze, from the Bryan Smart stable, captured the Listed Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 23 from subsequent scorer Pegasus Again.

Brian Meehan looks to have plenty of talent among his juvenile division this season and the likes of City Leader, Cat Junior, Fast Company and Sharp Nephew were all smart enough to score at the first time of asking for the Manton-based handler. Tanweer, who looked an exciting prospect when scoring first time out at Newmarket on August 10, features among an eight-strong entry for Sir Michael Stoute.

David Cameron, leader of the Conservative Party, may also be taking a keen interest in this year's Racing Post Trophy. His father, Ian owns Mountain Pride trained by John Dunlop. The High Chaparral colt is yet to make his debut.

Andre Fabre has a quartet of entries for France, headed by Beret Rouge, who made an impressive winning debut at Deauville on August 2.

Adam Waterworth, managing director at Doncaster Racecourse, said: 'We are thrilled with 186 entries for the Racing Post Trophy, which includes the very best juveniles from Britain, Ireland and France.

'The Group One contest has an outstanding record in producing stars of the future, including last year's hero Authorized, and we are eagerly anticipating another outstanding renewal at the redeveloped Doncaster on Saturday, October 27.'