3 minute read
Champion trainer Charlie Appleby believes in Silver Knott he has got a worthy favourite in the Juvenile Turf at the Breeders' Cup this weekend.
C Appleby celebrated a treble at Del Mar 12 months ago, including Modern Games, who won the Juvenile Turf from Tiz The Bomb in a drama-filled race.
And the Moulton Paddocks handler is hoping for another victory in the race with the favourite Silver Knott.
Appleby will not want a repat of the drama though after his horse was scratched and then saw that reversed to take the Grade 1 race under William Buick.
The two-year-old, who has won three times this season, the latter of which was over one mile at Newmarket, will likely go off as the favourite at Kentucky. Appleby, who has claimed he is the horse to beat, has also excused his third in the Champagne Stakes due to the soft ground at Doncaster.
Appleby said: "We've brought a couple of juveniles out here and I think Silver Knott is a worthy favourite for his race. The soft ground was to blame for his disappointing run in the Champagne Stakes, but on a sounder surface he put in a good effort in the Autumn Stakes and has come out of that well.
"He could be a French Derby horse and follow the same route as Modern Games by running in the French Guineas and French Derby next year. He wore a hood this morning which he will retain on the way to post on Friday, but it will be removed at the start.
"Mischief Magic ran a solid enough race in the Middle Park. I wasn't expecting too much from him, but it was enough to book himself a slot here and I won't mind it if he misses a beat at the start because with him I think the rougher the race is the more he will enjoy it."
"The more you come over here and race the more you learn and it is an upside with older horses that have done it. Experience is a big factor and fortunately one or two of mine have got that in their armoury."
In the Turf Sprint Appleby's two runners are up against the top two in the betting - Highfield Princess and Golden Pal.
Creative Force may need some luck to overhaul the John Quinn-trained favourite Highfield Princess, while Naval Crown also has the early speed to get into contention, according to Appleby.
"Our sprinters are drawn in one (Creative Force) and nine (Naval Crown), the trip will be on the sharper side for Creative Force. He's rock solid and tough and will need a lot of luck, but he will be coming at them at the finish," said the trainer.
"Naval Crown has very good gate speed and will travel well. They are both in good order and will not look out of place in the paddock."