Trainer William Haggas has issued a positive bulletin on his impressive G2 Dante Stakes winner Economics (GB), with a return to the Knavesmire for the G2 Sky Bet York Stakes on Saturday, July 27 among the options being considered for his next appearance.
The son of Night Of Thunder (Ire) is only three starts into his career and it was because of his relative experience that his connections resisted the temptation to supplement him for the Derby after his emphatic Dante success which saw him power clear of Ancient Wisdom (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) to land the spoils by six lengths.
Haggas is hopeful that the patient approach he's taken with Economics will pay dividends when it comes to the colt's long-term prospects, which could involve him staying in training for at least one more season.
“He's back in work and he should have a good second half of the season,” Haggas told The Nick Luck Daily Podcast. “He's a lovely horse, but he's a great, big horse and he's not just a three-year-old–he's going to be a four-year-old and maybe even a five-year-old, who knows?
“I don't know how long it will be because if he's top, top, top class he'll be whisked off to stud, but I can't believe he's not going to be better next year. He's a baby–he's only run three times in his life and he's got lots to look forward to.”
Moving on to the subject of where Economics might run next, Haggas continued, “Obviously, the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion is right on the radar because of the race title and His Highness' involvement in it [referring to Bahraini owner Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa].
“The Prix Guillaume d'Ornano [at Deauville] is on August 15, so that knocks out the Juddmonte International [at York on August 21] and I'm quite keen to look at the Juddmonte as well. The obvious fit is the Sky Bet race [also at York] on July 27, but if we don't make that or don't want to go there then we can go for the Juddmonte and he can do a racecourse gallop.
“I think to get the freshness out of him it would do him good [to have a run] and that's the sort of [plan]. It's York/York or Deauville/Ireland–that's how you think, but we've got lots to discuss.”
Haggas also spoke of the pride he felt in watching stable stalwart Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}) break his Group 1 duck in Europe with victory in Sunday's Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, teeing him up nicely for a tilt at the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on the same day as the York Stakes.
“I was hoping he could do something like that,” the trainer added. “I've always believed him to be better right-handed, but he was good left-handed yesterday. He was always travelling well–it was a good set-up for him and he did well. I watched him all the way round and to me he never looked like he was going to get beaten.
“He doesn't get much credit, but he's a pretty good horse. Maybe he's just getting his act together aged six or maybe we're just getting the hang of him. I think he might go for the King George–I don't see that we've got anything to lose.”
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