Tag Archive for: Safe Voyage

Safe Voyage sails to City of York glory

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John Quinn will consider top-level targets at home and abroad for Safe Voyage following a thoroughly impressive display in the Sky Bet City of York Stakes.

The likeable seven-year-old won the Group Three John of Gaunt Stakes at Haydock last summer and opened his account for the current campaign with victory in the Listed Surrey Stakes at Epsom on Derby day.

A respectable fourth behind the high-class Space Blues in the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood on his latest appearance, Safe Voyage was soon bowling along in the lead in this Group Two assignment under Jason Hart.

Dual Prix de la Foret heroine One Master, the 13-8 favourite, went in pursuit after getting in the clear, but Safe Voyage (4-1) found plenty for pressure in front and passed the post with three and a half lengths in hand.

Hart said: “When Silvestre de Sousa’s horse (Shine So Bright) came out, I knew there might be a lack of pace so I thought it might be an idea (to making the running).

“He’s a very versatile horse. The only thing with him is he wouldn’t want firm ground, so I was happy this morning when I saw the rain.

“It’s my first Group Two winner. When it’s wet, soft ground like that, he thrives on it.”

Safe Voyage rounded off last season by finishing third in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot and an appearance on Champions Day could be on the agenda again.

Quinn said: “We didn’t see much pace in the race so we thought there was no point faffing about. The jockey gave him a very good ride.

“He’s ground versatile – he just doesn’t want it very quick.

“We’ll look at the QEII again and he’s in a race or two on Arc weekend. He could do both and there’s also a very valuable race at the Breeders’ Cup – a mile on turf round two turns (Breeders’ Cup Mile). You can normally get plenty of cut in the ground at Keeneland.

“That’s just a pipe dream, but it’s something to think about.”

The William Haggas-trained One Master was not disgraced in defeat and will be prepared for a Foret hat-trick bid.

Maureen Haggas, the trainer’s wife and assistant, said: “She ran a good race. She was probably just a bit too far back in a slowly-run race, but it’s one of those things.

“The plan is to go back for the Foret again. She never lets us down – she’s a star.”

Quinn hoping for clear run with Safe Voyage

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Safe Voyage bids to get back to winning ways in a “spicy” renewal of the Sky Bet City of York Stakes.

The consistent John Quinn-trained seven-year-old, who won the Surrey Stakes at the Derby meeting on his penultimate outing, finished a close-up fourth in the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood last time out.

He met trouble in running there – and while Quinn does not think that cost victory over Space Blues, it would still have been a much better run on paper than it initially looks.

“He had a few traffic problems at Goodwood, but it wasn’t the difference between winning and losing – he might have been second or third,” said the Malton trainer.

“I’ve been very happy with him since, and this looks like the right race for him – in saying that, it’s a spicy affair.

“They had the rain Wednesday night, and that will stop the ground from getting too firm. As long as there’s still a bit of juice in it, he’ll be fine.”

Safe Voyage will need to be at his best on Saturday to beat William Haggas’ mare One Master, who overcame her own troubled passage to win at Goodwood.

Roger Varian’s San Donato drops in trip, having made a big move in the Sussex Stakes only to tire late on, and last year’s Gimcrack winner Threat is another with solid form to his name.

In the Sky Bet And Symphony Group Strensall Stakes, David O’Meara’s 2019 Queen Anne winner Lord Glitters sets the standard.

Charlie Hills’ Pogo arrives on the back of a career-best effort when third in the Prix d’Ispahan, while Varian fields two likely contenders in Prince Eiji and Zabeel Prince.

Royal Hunt Cup winner Dark Vision is there also, as is Alan King’s Beringer, who re-opposes after going down narrowly to Mark Johnston’s four-year-old at Pontefract on his first run since chasing home Lord North in the Cambridgeshire.

“He ran a nice race on his comeback at Pontefract the other day and he’s trained well since,” said King.

“This is another step up for him. But he isn’t a million miles behind on ratings, and I hope he’ll run well.

“A bit of ease in the ground will suit him.”

King also has a lively contender in the Sky Bet Melrose Handicap in Midnights Legacy, winner of his last three.

The Barbury Castle trainer said: “He’s a progressive horse, and I think the step up in trip will suit him.

“He was good at Haydock last time, and this race has always been the plan.”

Hughie Morrison’s Kipps has the assistance of Ryan Moore – with Richard Hannon’s Mambo Nights, winner of all his three races this season, carrying top weight.