Appleby banks on Cross Counter, Moonlight Spirit for Gold Cup glory
- Last updated: June 17, 2020 | 14:43
The royal blue silks of Godolphin have been carried to five Gold Cup wins and there is optimism that a sixth is on the horizon.
Prior to the creation of Godolphin, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, had also won the Gold Cup in successive years with the Guy Harwood-trained Sadeem (1988-89).
This year, Charlie Appleby has entered the G1 Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter and promising four-year-old stayer Moonlight Spirit.
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“Cross Counter has already had an unusual season. We prepared him for the Dubai Gold Cup in March, only for the meeting to be called off because of the pandemic.
“His run when fifth in a handicap in Saudi in February was good as he was fresh and a bit keen early. He hasn’t had a race since.
“Last year, he had also only had one race before Ascot and he was able to run a very respectable fourth to Stradivarius and wasn’t beaten too far,” the trainer said.
Appleby also sends out Moonlight Spirit, who he regards as a promising staying talent for Godolphin. The four-year-old finished fourth in last year’s G2 Queen’s Vase and later in the campaign placed second behind subsequent G1 winner Technician at Longchamp.
“We have always regarded Moonlight Spirit as a prospective Cup horse. He has wintered well and is ready to go, though it is a challenge going straight into a Gold Cup. Having said that, he will not be out of place, and I think will run very well,” Appleby said.