Tuesday's G1 Qatar Goodwood Cup has the makings of an intriguing contest, with champion stayer Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) aiming for an historic fourth win in the race which will also feature this season's Irish Derby winner Santiago (Ire) (Authorized {Ire}).
Bjorn Nielsen's homebred Stradivarius, who is now the winner of six Group 1 contests including a hat-trick of Gold Cups at Royal Ascot, first triumphed at Goodwood as a 3-year-old when downing the colours of another popular stayer, Big Orange (GB) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}). The latter was then a 6-year-old, as Stradivarius is now.
There will be a maximum field of seven for the two-mile contest, potentially including last Saturday's G3 John Smith's Silver Cup winner Eagles By Day (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), whose dam Missunited (Ire) (Golan {Ire}) made her final racecourse appearance at Glorious Goodwood in 2014 when winning the G3 Lillie Langtry S. for trainer Michael Winters and owner-breeder Vanessa Hutch.
Nayef Road (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who was runner-up to Stradivarius at Royal Ascot, is also entered, along with Scottish raider Euchen Glen (Ire) (Authorized {Ire}) and Spanish Mission (Noble Mission {GB}).
Who Dares Wins (Ire) (Jeremy), another Ascot winner, whose stamina has already been tested beyond the two-mile mark in the Queen Alexandra S., completes the list of entrants.
His part-owner Henry Ponsonby said, “I think Who Dares Wins can be considered a definite runner at this stage. Tom Marquand will ride him. I think he's entitled to be there on his Prix du Cadran run last year—he finished fourth, not far behind Dee Ex Bee, who was second to Stradivarius on a number of occasions last season.”
Who Dares Wins provided Tom Marquand with his first victory at the Royal Meeting and was one of three winners at Royal Ascot for his trainer Alan King.
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