The Press Association Saturday morning reported that trainer David Simcock
will not rush a decision on DREAM AHEAD’s (Diktat) participation in the
seven-furlong Dewhurst S. (Eng-G1) at Newmarket on Champions’ Day, October 16, following his scintillating
Middle Park S. (Eng-G1) success over
six furlongs at the course Friday.
The two-year-old secured his third win from as many starts and his
second in Group 1 company with a nine-length demolition of his rivals at Newmarket. That imperious display sets up the mouthwatering possibility of a clash with
unbeaten Royal Lodge S. (Eng-G2) winner FRANKEL (Galileo [Ire]) and Godolphin’s
undefeated Champagne S. (Eng-G2) victor SAAMIDD (Street Cry [Ire]), but Simcock is keen to monitor his star turn’s condition over the next
fortnight before committing to a run.
“He’s absolutely fine this morning and has eaten up well,” the Newmarket
handler said.
“He didn’t have a hard race but, having said that, it was still soft ground
and it will have taken a bit out of him. We were obviously delighted with his
performance and it is fantastic for everybody in the yard.
“These horses don’t come along very often and you just feel thrilled and very
honored to train one like him.
“We will see about the Dewhurst. It will be very much a case of seeing how
the horse’s well-being is and we’ll see how we feel. Nothing is set in stone, and
we won’t say we will run, and we won’t say we won’t run. We’re in the race and we
can leave it as late as we like.
“There are some very, very good seven-furlong two-year-olds around at the
moment. You’ve got Frankel who was exceptional at Ascot, and you’ve got Saamidd
who I think could be anything and looks a cracking horse for Godolphin.
“Then there’s Dream Ahead and probably one or two others, including the
Shamardal colt in Ireland (Casamento). There are some very good colts around and
it all bodes very well for next year.”
Dream Ahead’s jockey William Buick added: “If Frankel and Dream Ahead
did clash in the Dewhurst, I would not swap Dream Ahead for anything in the
race.
“David (Simcock) is the boss and he knows the horse better than anyone and he
will see how Dream Ahead comes out of the Middle Park. The horse could not have
won any easier — we will see.
“He is a very chilled-out horse and has not been challenged so far, He
has been playing around in his races and in Group 1 company too. He has been
taking the mickey out of some of the best two-year-olds around.”