Main aim must cope with extra furlong and slower surface
May 30 2009 by Doug Moscrop, The Journal
TWO weeks ago I napped Aye Aye Digby for a Newbury sprint but soon realised that the selection was fighting a losing battle against a potential Group horse masquerading as a handicapper in the shape of Main Aim.
The nap, who had previously scored in good style at Goodwood, was given a positive ride by Fergus Sweeney. When the buttons were pressed, however, it was obvious that he and the rest of them were going to be made to look very ordinary by Sir Michael Stoute’s colt.
And so it proved. Main Aim came home unchallenged by seven lengths and his handicap days were behind him. He has started favourite on each of his seven career starts and has won four of them and this latest performance suggests he has made significant strides from three to four years.
Admittedly, he disappointed when tried in Listed company on his final two appearances last season. However, he should be given the benefit of the doubt as he probably had gone over the top by then.
Today, he tries his hand in the Group Three Timeform Jury Stakes at Haydock, formerly known as the John of Gaunt Stakes, and the main issue may be the extra furlong rather than the step-up in class. He has won over this trip twice on a quicker surface and it remains to be seen whether he is as effective on a slower surface, particularly as he seems to have improved since going down in trip.
He showed a tendency to pull hard at times last year, which wasn’t the case at Newbury where he was being pushed along to go the pace in the early stages before finding gears and outclassing the opposition.
Beacon Lodge, a Group Three winner as a two-year-old, won a Listed prize over the course and distance last time when showing he can handle faster ground, so he is versatile when it comes to conditions. He looks sure to give another good account.
Tariq is also worthy of mention. He has done all his winning at trips short of a mile and was completing a hat-trick of seven-furlong wins when landing the Group Two Lennox Stakes at Goodwood in July, 2007, having captured the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot on the way. He hasn’t a lot of miles on the clock for a five-year-old and there may be more to come after a respectable effort on his Newbury return in the Lockinge Stakes. He could be the one to prosper if Main Aim doesn’t get home.
Alan Berry had a moment to savour when his admirable filly Look Busy produced a career-best when pipping Borderlescott close home in last week’s Temple Stakes at Haydock. The Cockerham trainer could well find himself collecting a big prize again with another filly City Dancer in the JW Lees Sandy Lane Stakes.
She didn’t make the most of a good draw at Chester and then raced a little too keenly at York and consequently didn’t run up to her best when only fourth to Anglezarke at York. She has an extra furlong to cover this time and that could prove to be the key to a likely success.
