Maximized bids to maintain unbeaten record in G2 July Stakes at Newmarket

Promising juvenile Maximized looks to confirm some strong form in the G2 July Stakes, with Arabian Crown and El Cordobes also tackling G2 company on the opening day of Newmarket’s July Festival, on Thursday.

Having made a successful introduction at Haydock Park, Maximized defeated subsequent Royal Ascot victor Havana Hurricane by a length and a half in the Woodcote Stakes at Epsom Downs’ Derby Festival.

Trainer Charlie Appleby said: “Maximized is two from two, stepping up from his novice to win nicely at Epsom. We gave him a break afterwards, as the plan was always to miss Royal Ascot, and he goes into this in great shape. He is on an upward curve and hopefully the one they all have to beat.”

El Cordobes and Arabian Crown, both impressive winners on Newmarket’s Rowley Mile course, step up in class for the G2 Princess Of Wales’s Stakes.

Following two runner-up finishes at Meydan, El Cordobes stormed to victory in a 12-furlong handicap at Newmarket’s Guineas Festival, with runner-up French Master franking the form at Royal Ascot.

El Cordobes made the switch to Stakes company soon after his Newmarket triumph, finishing third in both the G3 Aston Park Stakes at Newbury and York’s Listed Grand Cup.

Arabian Crown looked a leading Classic contender following dominant G3 victories in the Ghaiyyath Zetland Stakes at Newmarket in 2023 and last year’s Classic Trial at Sandown Park.

Having missed the rest of 2024 through injury, the son of Dubawi has made two appearances so far this year, finishing fourth in Meydan’s G2 Dubai City Of Gold and sixth in the G3 Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown Park.

Charlie Appleby said: “El Cordobes is coming back in distance from York, where we feel he did not stay the 14 furlongs. He has a bit to find on the book but, back at this trip, he should be competitive, and the quick ground will be no problem.

“Arabian Crown has been gelded since his last start and stepping back up to a mile and a half will suit. If he can recapture some of his earlier form, he is sure to be a player.”

Opera Ballo concedes weight all round as he heads three Godolphin contenders in the Listed Sir Henry Cecil Stakes.

Following a disappointing sixth in the G3 Craven Stakes, the son of Ghaiyyath bounced back in a first-time hood with an authoritative victory in the Listed Heron Stakes at Sandown Park.

Charlie Appleby also saddles Newmarket handicap third Spectacular View, while Saeed bin Suroor is represented by Arabian Story, who was a game winner of the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Charlie Appleby said: “We were delighted to get Opera Ballo back on track in the Heron Stakes. He has a penalty to carry, but he has done very well since Sandown and we are hoping to use this as a building block towards a nice campaign in the second half of the season. It suits Spectacular View to be ridden prominently and he won’t mind the ground or trip.”

Saeed Bin Suroor said: “Arabian Story came out of Ascot in good form and has been training well. This is another step up in class and I am looking forward to seeing how he gets on.”

Meanwhile, Versatile four-year-old Think Big added another string to his bow with a swooping victory in the G3 Kelso Stakes at Saratoga on Saturday.

Having seen his perfect streak on turf ended with a slow start in last month’s G1 Jaipur Stakes, the Twirling Candy homebred excelled with the step up to a mile as he displayed his customary turn of foot to readily beat Intellect by a length.

The Kelso Stakes is a traditional prep for the G1 Fourstardave Handicap over the same course and distance in early August, and victory there would earn Think Big a spot in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile.

Saturday’s card at Saratoga also saw three-year-old filly Ragtime maintain her unbeaten record with a routine success in an allowance race. A debut winner at the same course last month, the daughter of Union Rags looks ready to test her credentials in Graded company.