Tuesday 25 April 2017 15:33, UK
William Haggas expects Call To Mind's next race to indicate whether the Queen has a Derby or a Royal Ascot contender on her hands.
Making his debut at Newbury last week over a mile, the beautifully-bred colt got up late on under Ryan Moore in a mile maiden. By Galileo out of Richard Hannon's speedy filly Memory, quite how far he will stay is up for debate.
"I thought he was given a magnificent ride because he got outpaced with two to run then picked up," said Haggas.
"It was a maiden race and he has run to a mark in the early 80s and he has got a long way to go. I liked his attitude, I think he will improve going up in trip and he has got a chance of being a good horse.
"So many horses win one maiden and they are hyped up to anything. We are obviously going to go a mile and a quarter next time and he is a smart horse in my stable.
"It depends how he improves. I suspect we will test him in a better race and see where we are.
"I don't know whether he is a Derby horse or a Royal Ascot horse. I suspect his next race will tell us."
Haggas' Rivet could be rerouted to the French 2000 Guineas from Newmarket unless the heavens open.
"I want to take him up there (Newmarket) again probably on Friday then we will decide whether to come here or go to France. He needs a bit of rain," said Haggas of the Racing Post Trophy winner, who was second in the Craven Stakes to Eminent.
"I am not saying he is a soft ground horse, but he doesn't want fast ground. I can't see him running on good to firm, as much as we would love to run him.
"I was happy not ecstatic or disappointed (with performance in the Craven). In the Racing Post Trophy he had his ears up the whole way and looked very composed the whole race.
"In the Craven Stakes he was a little bit like a hare. He never really relaxed in front. I thought he was possibly a bit enthusiastic as he didn't have much at the finish, as the one thing he does stay.
"He will get a mile and a quarter in time and he was clearly outstayed. We've got to improve a bit, but as all trainers will tell you at this time of year that was a trial and no more and hopefully he will come on for it."
While Haggas has taken Lockheed out of the Guineas to be trained for Ascot, he has not lost faith in Sea Of Grace, a Group winner for John Oxx last season but only fifth in the Nell Gwyn.
He said: "Her work in the spring has been OK. I'm pretty sure she doesn't like Newmarket.
"She was too fresh early and she stumbled after a furlong and that frightened her. She never dropped the bit and then she got into a nice rhythm but there was only three to go and they had to start going.
"Even though we have left her in the 1000 Guineas, I'm pretty sure that she will go to France, then on to Ireland. I think she is pretty smart. The handicapper has dropped her 3lb and he obviously doesn't think she is as smart, but I think she has got a bit to offer and I expect her to step up considerably on her first run."
