Sakheer Being Targeted At Commonwealth Cup

Roger Varian's smart three year old Sakheer was scuppered by the rain in his bid for the Group One 2000 Guineas but is now being dropped in trip and aimed at the Group One Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.

Second at Windsor on his career debut behind a nice type in Magical Sunset, he then went unbeaten on his two final runs both over 6f.

Getting off the mark at Haydock in a Novice Stakes when bolting up by six lengths, he then stepped up in class to the Group Two Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury and again showed bundles of pace to win easily.

Back this season and thought to have a big chance of getting the trip from his pedigree in the 2000 Guineas, the rain made it more testing for him and ultimately found him out.

Having recovered well from his run on the Rowley Mile, Sakheer’s handler has now taken the decision to revert back to the distance he made his name over Royal Ascot and he is currently top of the ante-post lists at a best price of 11-2 for the Commonwealth Cup.

(Credit ATR) “He’s come out of the race well and most likely he will go straight to the Commonwealth Cup,” said Varian.

“It was such a messy race the 2000 Guineas, it was almost a non-event for us. He made quite an eyecatching move in the race, but it was all happening away from him and maybe he just didn’t get home the final 100 yards.

“We imagine a stiff six furlongs at Ascot is tailor-made for him.”