Group One success would be icing on the cake for Middleham Park star.
Last year's runner-up, Shouldvebeenaring, is gearing up for a second attempt at the Betfred Sprint Cup following a commendable showing at York last week.
After a break since his Group Three victory at Deauville in early July, the grey horse, trained by Richard Hannon, returned to action with a solid third-place finish in the City of York Stakes. The race, held at Group Two level, was won unexpectedly by Breege.
With a career at stud awaiting him after this season, owners Middleham Park Racing are eager to boost his value with a Group One win. The Sprint Cup at Haydock, where Shouldvebeenaring was narrowly beaten by Regional last year, is seen as the ideal target.
Delighted members of the @MprUpdates team after Shouldvebeenaring's victory in the King Charles II Stakes @NewmarketRace pic.twitter.com/enJxiRtILd
— Ashley Iveson (@AshIveson) May 5, 2023
Tim Palin of Middleham Park Racing remarked, "He’s clearly a Group performer and can compete at both Group Two and Group One levels. Our goal now is to secure a Group One or Group Two victory before he heads off to stud."
He added, "At York, the extra 32 yards after seven furlongs seemed to stretch his stamina a bit, as he is more suited to six or seven-furlong races. Oisin Murphy felt he was in position to challenge the favorite but perhaps started his move a bit too early, which may have affected his finish. Despite that, it was another impressive run and sets him up well for Haydock, which is traditionally a strong time of year for him."
Palin continued, "Haydock is our next stop. He performs better on quicker ground, and the weather forecast is promising for a dry week, which should suit him well. York has cleared any residual rust, and Haydock is almost like a home turf for us. He’s only been beaten twice there, by Little Big Bear in the Sandy Lane and Regional in last year’s Sprint Cup."
Looking ahead, Shouldvebeenaring will continue racing beyond Haydock, with potential trips to France and the United States under consideration.
Palin noted, "He was third in the Prix de la Foret last year, so that’s a possibility, and he’s also entered in the Park Stakes at the Doncaster Leger meeting. We almost ran him in the Challenge at Newmarket last year, so that remains an option. While it’s a bit of a long shot at the moment, we haven’t ruled out a Breeders' Cup appearance. The final decision will depend on the terms and the weather conditions, as a Breeders' Cup Mile on soft ground wouldn’t suit him."
