Richard Fahey considering Phoenix Stakes for Royal Ascot winner Perfect Power; Norfolk Stakes hero would need to be supplemented into the Curragh race on August 8; owner Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum keen on Group One in Ireland
Monday 12 July 2021 15:36, UK
Royal Ascot winner Perfect Power could be supplemented for the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh on August 8.
Richard Fahey's youngster prevailed in a tight finish for the Norfolk Stakes at the big meeting last month.
With a Group Two penalty for that success, however, connections are now favouring the Irish assignment over the Gimcrack at York and the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood.
"Because he's a Group Two winner it makes it a bit tougher, so there's talk that we might supplement him for the Phoenix on August 8," said Fahey, speaking at the launch of the Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival.
"He's in the Gimcrack, he'll be put in the Richmond, but the owner (Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum) is keen on the Phoenix as he'd have penalties in the other two.
"He's ready for six furlongs now, I nearly ran him in the Coventry but we had one in that already (Vintage Clarets) and I wanted to separate them.
"He's a good-minded horse, real laid back. He's a powerful sort, a strong two-year-old. He's a big, strong horse and fairly forward.
"I was surprised he was beaten on debut, but that probably helped win him the race at Ascot as it meant he could have that second run without a penalty. Sometimes you have to get beat to win and that was the perfect example.
"The form is absolutely rock solid and five furlongs is his bare minimum, he's ready for six now."
