Dawn Approach shaping up nicely for Ascot bid

Dawn Approach is reported to be in tip-top shape as he ­prepares to win at Ascot for a third time when he lines up for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Saturday.

Toronado pips Dawn Approach at Goodwood in The Qipco Sussex Stakes earlier this year. Picture: Getty

Jim Bolger’s 2,000 Guineas hero has been successful in two previous visits to the Berkshire track, in the Coventry Stakes and St James’s Palace Stakes, and bids to make it three in Europe’s richest mile race, sponsored by Qipco. Winner of his first seven starts and eight races in all from 11 starts, the three-year-old colt is on a retrieval mission after being found to be sick after finishing unplaced behind Moonlight Cloud in the Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville in August.

“Dawn Approach is very well and we are very happy with him,” said County Carlow-based Bolger. “I am hopeful that he will be able to cope with the softer ground but we won’t be sure until after the race.”

Meanwhile, Forgotten Voice is likely to need an alternative engagement in Australia after missing the cut for this weekend’s BMW Caulfield Cup.

Nicky Henderson’s gelding must run somewhere in order to increase his chance of getting a place in the Emirates Melbourne Cup and is now set to appear in next Wednesday’s Geelong Cup.

Racing Victoria chief handicapper Greg Carpenter and Melbourne Racing Club executives decided the Gai Waterhouse-trained Julienas was more worthy of the final spot at Caulfield after his second place in the Metropolitan Handicap.

“Both horses were equally qualified, but Julienas’ performance to finish second in the Metropolitan gave him the nod,” Carpenter told The Age.

Forgotten Voice, who won at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood this summer, is first reserve for the Caulfield Cup.

Leigh Jordon, Racing Victoria international recruiter, said: “We have four days before the race and in past years horses have dropped out for many and varied reasons and, with that in mind, there is always hope.”

Forgotten Voice’s compatriot, Dandino, is on target for the Caulfield Cup, which is Australia’s second most prestigious handicap. Marco Botti’s charge has enjoyed a fine preparation for his trip to Australia, running well in defeat in the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket and the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot before landing the American St Leger under Ryan Moore.

Botti said: “He seems well and the lad that is looking after him is happy, so we are looking forward to the race.

“He galloped with Forgotten Voice the other day and it was a nice piece of work.”

SELECTIONS

Lingfield

2.00 Outback Traveller(nap)

2.30 Lifejacket

3.00 Master Of Alkmaar

3.35 Four Winds

4.05 Cafe Society

4.40 Aiyana

5.10 Copperwood

5.45 Martial Art

Nottingham

2.10 Sea Here

2.40 Emaad

3.15 Groove Jet

3.45 Mutashabek

4.20 Open Water

4.50 Master Bond

5.20 Flash City

5.50 Elusive Bonus

Wetherby

2.20 Hazza The Jazza

2.50 Kealigolane

3.25 Lightening Rod

3.55 Golden Call

4.30 Wild Card

5.00 Long Wave

5.30 Lie Forrit

Kempton

5.40 Volcanic Dust

6.10 Lady Emmuska

6.40 Frangipanni

7.10 Cordial

7.40 Dancing Sands

8.10 Califante

8.40 Murasil

9.10 Mignonne