George Scott set to target Champagne Stakes with unbeaten juvenile.
Bay City Roller Aims Higher After Unbeaten Run: Eyes Set on Champagne Stakes Glory
Bay City Roller is on the fast track to greater heights after maintaining his flawless record at Chelmsford, with the Betfred Champagne Stakes at Doncaster firmly in the sights of trainer George Scott. After making an impressive debut at Sandown in July, the New Bay colt backed it up with another victory in Essex, though he faced a tougher challenge than expected from Ralph Beckett’s promising newcomer Rock d’Oro.
Despite being the odds-on favorite, Bay City Roller had to dig deep to secure the win, demonstrating his tenacity and determination. Trainer George Scott expressed satisfaction with the colt’s progression but admitted the horse still has a bit more to learn before reaching his full potential at the higher levels.
“I felt he needed more race experience before stepping up to Pattern company, and he certainly got that,” said Scott. “It wasn’t an easy win—he had to make the running on the all-weather track, and Callum [Shepherd] mentioned afterward that if he could ride the race again, he’d have kicked on earlier. There was a moment when Rock d’Oro almost got the better of him, but both colts showed real grit.”
Scott emphasized that it was a “job done” scenario for Bay City Roller, and now the focus shifts to his next outing. The Champagne Stakes at Doncaster presents the perfect opportunity for the colt to test himself at Group Two level, with the race set to act as a pivotal moment in shaping his future path.
Decision Time Looms
“The Champagne Stakes is about two weeks away, and it’s going to be a crossroads moment for Bay City Roller,” Scott explained. “Depending on how he runs, we’ve got several options to consider after that, including the Lagardere, the Dewhurst, the Futurity Trophy, or even the Goffs Million sales race in Ireland. But right now, we’re just focused on Doncaster and seeing where he fits in the pecking order.”
With his pedigree shining through, Bay City Roller’s potential seems limitless. Scott, however, remains cautiously optimistic, knowing the colt is still evolving.
“He’s come out of Chelmsford in great shape, and we’ll see what happens at the Champagne. Where he goes next will entirely depend on his performance there,” Scott added.
Preference for Softer Ground
An intriguing factor in Bay City Roller’s future performances could be the ground conditions. While his initial win at Sandown came on quick ground, Scott is convinced the colt would excel even more on a softer surface.
“I’m absolutely sure he prefers softer ground,” Scott revealed. “He won at Sandown despite the quick conditions, and if the ground is softer at Doncaster, I’m confident it won’t be an issue. His dam, Bloomfield, excelled on soft ground, and being by New Bay, whose offspring also handle softer conditions well, makes me think he’ll be even better when the ground has some give.”
Scott concluded by noting the colt’s adaptability and readiness to take on new challenges. “We’ve worked him on soft ground before, and he’s simply a different horse in those conditions. It’s exciting to think about what he could achieve when everything aligns for him.”
Bay City Roller’s unbeaten run, coupled with his adaptability and growing experience, sets the stage for an exciting future as he steps up to tougher competition. All eyes will be on Doncaster’s Champagne Stakes to see if this rising star can continue his upward trajectory.
