Juddmonte mare lines up at Newmarket again as retirement beckons.
Time Lock, a mare owned by Juddmonte, is primed for what could well be the last hurdle of her stellar career as she prepares to defend the title in the Princess Royal Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Stakes at Newmarket on Friday. The five-year-old, trained by Harry Charlton, will look to serve a repeat performance from last year when she dominated the field by an impressive four and a quarter lengths ahead of Sweet Memories. Race entry will be her 15th career start and potentially her last, depending on the weather conditions.
Juddmonte European racing manager Barry Mahon sneakily suggested that Friday may be the last taste of action Time Lock gets as a racemate, saving the final call for circumstances related to the ground. "She's had a nice break, a little freshen up, and she's going back to familiar territory having won this race last year," Mahon said. "She's coming up to the last race of her career, maybe her second last depending on the ground conditions, but she's in good form, and Harry is really happy with her, so we are hopeful for a good one."
Daughter of Frankel already has had a notable season after finishing as runner-up in the Group Two Jockey Club Stakes, again over the twelve furlongs. Her last run was in July, and she was third in a Group Two event when she ran in the Princess of Wales's Stakes. Noting the weather may be wet, Mahon said that the ground "wouldn't want too much rain. She doesn't want it too soft." Time Lock leads a short list of eight runners set to tackle what looks like another highly competitive version of the Princess Royal Stakes.
Among her challengers is Place of Safety, a representative of the younger crop from the Gosdens' camp, John and Thady. Hughie Morrison's Mistral Star is another threat to come from Listed success at Newmarket's July course earlier this year. Andrew Balding's Sea of Roses follows up an August Stakes success at Windsor, while Rae Guest's Divina Grace returns to course and distance, where she has enjoyed success in the past. Hollie Doyle partners David Simcock's Sinology, and further challengers come from Jessica Harrington's Comic Book and Charlie Johnston's Francophone.
The card at Newmarket also stages the hotly contested Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Joel Stakes over a mile, where Ice Max, trained by Karl Burke, is the one to watch after his Group Two success in the Celebration Mile Stakes at Goodwood. Simon and Ed Crisford's Poker Face, who was a length behind Ice Max at Goodwood, seeks revenge, while Dylan Cunha's Prague steps up to Group Two level for the first time following his second at Haydock. Also noted are Dancing Gemini, seeking his first success this season, and the Gosden-trained Lead Artist, who returns to a mile after a place in the seven-furlong Park Stakes at Doncaster.
Mahon reported Juddmonte's lead artist is fine, though he was somewhat disappointed to see him finish runner-up to Kinross in the Park Stakes. "He's come out of Doncaster well," said Mahon. "It wasn't ideal dropping back to seven furlongs. I know, at times, it seemed a bit tight for him. He ran a good race and back up to a mile will suit him. Kinross is a bit of a warrior. We hope Lead Artist can prove himself over a mile."
Another Juddmonte contender, Task Force, trained by Ralph Beckett, will also be looking to make his mark in the Joel Stakes. Task Force, who finished fourth in the Strensall Stakes at York last time out, will be ridden by Ryan Moore for the first time, with Mahon confident in the pairing. "He's had a wee bit of freshen-up since York and looks in good shape. Of course, we wouldn't be looking to run both the Juddmonte horses in the same race, but we'll take the chance and see how it goes," he said. Friday's card at Newmarket promises to produce top-class action, with many runners anxious to make their mark as Time Lock and Ice Max show off.
