Royal Ascot winner Rashabar (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) is set for a step up in trip on his next start as connections of Brian Meehan's colt have identified the G1 National Stakes at the Curragh as a likely target for the shock 80-1 winner of the Coventry Stakes.
Rashabar came close to providing Meehan with a third success in the Prix Morny when narrowly failing to reel in Aidan O'Brien's Whistlejacket at Deauville earlier this month.
“There's a fair few options, but we will be sticking in Group 1 company,” said Sam Sangster, manager for owners Manton Thoroughbreds.
“I had a meeting with Brian and we decided to take a good long look at the National Stakes and we really feel a step up to seven furlongs will suit him.
“He did the quickest sectionals in the final two furlongs of the Prix Morny and just looks like a horse that will benefit from a step up and he should suit the Curragh.
“We also have in mind that the Lagardere is there a little later on. The three races we have in mind are the National Stakes, Lagardere and the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf and if you were working back from the Breeders' Cup it would then be one of the others.”
A trip to Del Mar for the Breeders' Cup has often been mentioned in discussions surrounding Rashabar's programme but depending on the outcome of his next race, Stateside ambitions may be tempered in order to preserve Classic aspirations next season.
“We feel he is a horse that is not just going to be limited to a two-year-old campaign, he is a horse who is going to keep improving,” Sangster added.
“Whatever happens in his next run we will hopefully be thinking the Guineas is well within his remit after that, and whether or not we go to Del Mar, the steer will be towards the Guineas if we think he's good enough and at the moment we do think we have the right horse.”
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
