4:40 – Haydock – BETFRED KING´S REGIMENT CUP HANDICAP (CLASS 3) (3yo+ 0-95) Good 1m3f200y
Sir Michael Stoute kept up his yard’s recent excellent form with Debating Society winning at Lingfield yesterday. He runs another progressive 3 year old in a middle distance handicap at Haydock this afternoon. Galleon is making his handicap debut and could have plenty to offer off a Handicap Mark of 86.
Galleon only had one start as a 2 year old when he was given a gentle introduction over 1 mile at Sandown last September. He made his seasonal reappearance over 1 mile 2 furlongs at Newbury in May but was disappointing in Good to Soft ground and was being ridden from 3 furlongs out as he only finished 9th of 12. He was next seen at the beginning of July when he ran over 1 mile 4 furlongs for the first time on the all weather track at Kempton. He finished 2nd and although he was under pressure a long way out he stayed on suggesting that he is a thorough stayer.
He last run was in a Class 5 Maiden race at Catterick 20 days ago. He was again running over 1 mike 4 furlongs and was sent off as the slightly odds on favourite. He did not let his supporters down and build on his good effort at Kempton as he tracked the leading pair before going to the front 2 furlongs out to win comfortably by 3 lengths when he was pushed clear in the final furlong.
He runs over 1 mile 4 furlongs again this afternoon and being a son of the great Galileo it is not surprising that in two runs over the trip he has won once and been placed once. The going at Haydock is Good and he won in Good ground at Catterick last time.
Robert Winston rides Galleon and he rode his to win at Catterick last time. Robert does not get to many rides from Sir Michael Stoute but he does have a good strike rate when he is given the opportunity. Over the past five seasons he has ridden 20 times for Sir Michael, winning five times and this season he has won twice from four rides for the Newmarket trainer.
Galleon is a big long striding horse and won at Catterick despite the tight nature of the track generally not suiting galloping types. He should be much better suited at Haydock where the track is wide and the finishing straight is almost 5 furlongs long. He is up against two other 3 year old’s in the shape of Brockwell and Ustura along with some more experienced older horses, so will not have things all his own way this afternoon. However, he was visually impressive when winning at Catterick and the second placed horse won on his next start to frank the form and off an initial handicap mark of 86 there should be more to come from this son of Galileo.
