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Sangarius in Dante mix

Sangarius
Image: Sangarius

Sangarius may begin his season at York next month in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes.

Winner of his first two starts for Sir Michael Stoute last season, Sangarius was stepped up markedly in grade for the Dewhurst Stakes and was not disgraced in fourth behind Too Darn Hot.

While he has been taken out of the Qipco 2000 Guineas, he does still have the option of the Irish version on May 25.

But connections view him more of a middle-distance prospect, so the Dante is a possible starting point nine days earlier.

"Sangarius has been taken out of the Guineas," said owner Khalid Abdullah's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe.

"He's coming along fine. He's a nice, scopey horse - and we could look at something like the Dante, but it's still early days to be saying he'll run there.

"He did a bit of work on Saturday and he is still in the Irish Guineas - but I think at the moment Sir Michael sees him more as a middle distance horse.

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"The Irish Guineas certainly hasn't been discounted, though."

The same owner's Calyx has been heavily supported for next week's Guineas, and a different path is being mapped for Sangarius.

"The next few weeks will give us a better idea of where we are going," added Grimthorpe.

"Like Calyx, he's a Kingman - but they are different types.

"Calyx is more rounded and robust, while Sangarius is a bit more scopey. He's a good-looking horse."

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