Sakhee’s the one to beat at Haydock

Sep 4 2007 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

FAVOURITE Sakhee’s Secret is the horse they all have to beat in this Saturday BetFred Sprint Cup at Haydock Park, according to big-race pilot Steve Drowne.

Hughie Morrison’s July Cup winner was among the high quality 25-strong field at yesterday’s five-day declaration stage for the £300,000 Group One showpiece at the Merseyside track. And Drowne expects the three-year-old to have improved since he scored a half-length success over the re-opposing Dutch Art two months ago at Newmarket.

That win was the son of Sakhee’s first success at Group One level, but it was his fourth straight victory this season.

Now he bids to become the first July Cup winner to also take the Haydock contest in the same season since Ajdal won both races in 1987.

Lake Coniston, Oasis Dream and Owington have all tried and failed to do the same since, but Sakhee’s Secret is a best-priced 15-8 favourite with sponsors BetFred, BlueSquare, BetDirect and Better to complete the double.

Drowne has ridden the colt in all his seven races in his career and he said: “It is a big ask after winning the July Cup but I think mentally he is bound to be better. Without a doubt it taught him a lot, I think he is sharper.

“I thought the Haydock race was the one for him and he surpassed our expectations winning at Newmarket. He had never been in a battle, he wasn’t like Dutch Art and the rest who had had a fight and been in Group Ones – he was very light on experience but he came through with flying colours.

“My only worry was whether the race was coming a bit soon but with his ability he got away with it.”

Following a work-out at the weekend, Drowne says Sakhee’s Secret is well ahead of Saturday’s six-furlong showpiece. He added: “He has got a little bit bigger and stronger, he is maturing all the time and he looks great. He felt very fresh and well and every-thing is A1 by the looks of it

“Dutch Art was a bit unlucky at Newmarket but I didn’t get the clearest of runs – I was able to take the gaps better than he did because I had the natural sprinting speed and he was a little unlucky because he was caught flat-footed a bit. Sakhee’s Secret goes there with a favourite’s chance – I would imagine everyone is looking that they have got to beat us, not the other way round.”

Dutch Art is a general 7-1 second favourite to exact his revenge on Sakhee’s Secret and his trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam also has Al Qasi in the line-up but has withdrawn Tariq.

Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum’s Per Incanto was supplemented at a cost of £17,500, while the owner also has the Kevin Prendergast-trained Haatef still entered.

Other entries include July Cup third and fourth Red Clubs and Marchand D’Or, Betfair Cup runner-up Asset and Golden Jubilee Stakes winner Soldier’s Tale.

TODAY’S NAP: Mostarsil (3.10pm Goodwood).