Solid Foundation For Team Dettori And Gosden

Punters looking for clues leading to next year’s Classics will be tuned-in for Saturday’s Group 1 Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster (3.45pm), where John Gosden and Frankie Dettori team up once more with Foundation (4/5).

Gosden’s Colt To Lay Classic Foundations
“Team Dettori and Gosden” have already enjoyed a stellar season, and will be looking to land another Group 1 with this colt who arrives seeking a four-timer having landed a hat-trick in Group 2 company at Newmarket last month (1m, good).

A comfortable winner by 3/4l over Deauville (7/2) that day, there is no reason why the form should not be confirmed on Saturday where Doncaster’s long galloping mile will suit.

The ground is forecast to be on the soft side on Town Moor, which should be fine considering he was impressive in the mud at Haydock three weeks prior, while it’s worth noting that those who ran over 1m last time have been favoured in this race down the years…

Racing Post Trophy Trends
Of the last 10 winners…

8 ran over 1m last time (16%) – those up in trip were 2-41 (5%)
8 won over 1m (21%) – those yet to win over 1m were 2-61 (3%)
7 won 66% of their career runs (19%) – others were 3-64 (5%)
6 were American or British-bred at 15% – Irish-breds were 4-56 (7%)
A O’Brien was 3-23 (won it 8 times in total)

Should victory come Foundation’s way on Saturday, then it’s likely his current odds of 16/1 for next spring’s 2,000 Guineas could shorten.

A Ninth Trophy Win For O’Brien?
As for Deauville’s chances on Saturday, the Aidan O’Brien colt is respected, but will need to find a bit more if getting in front of Foundation, though should he be finishing strongly at the finish then he may attract money for next summer’s Derby at 20/1.

Meanwhile, stablemate, Johannes Vermeer (8/1), a Group 3 winner at Leopardstown last month (1m, yielding), before beaten just over 1l in a French Group 1 on Arc weekend. O’Brien knows what it takes to win this event and his runners deserve respect.

Tony Curtis Looks The Part
The British challenge, is supported by Richard Hannon’s Tony Curtis (8/1), who finished strongly into third when tried in Group 2 company at Newmarket (7f, good to firm), in the summer. He gave the impression a mile would suit at HQ, and that was confirmed when Tony Curtis easily won a Listed race at Salisbury in August (1m, good).

While unproven with any cut in the ground, the dry forecast may turn in his favour and odds of 9/1 make him each-way material.

One who will want more rain is Hugo Palmer’s maiden winner, Mengli Khan (10/1), who sluiced up in the mud at Nottingham a few weeks aback (1m, soft) but will need to find more on his Group debut.

Recommended Bets
It’s hard to find holes in Foundation, who represents the Dettori/Gosden team which have delivered the good this season. If odds of 4/5 for winning on Saturday don’t appeal, then the 16/1 about the 2,000 Guineas may whet the appetite.

*Prices correct at time of publication