Top Rank Has Big Autumn Plans

James Tate's stable star Top Rank has really hit the ground running this year after having some time off the track and now looks set for a big autumn campaign with the QEII on the agenda.

The four year old has really hit the ground running this term and looks a highly progressive colt having won on his seasonal debut at Thirsk after almost a year off and then backing that up with a narrow third at York in a hot handicap that has seen he form franked since.

Top Rank last time out showed exactly how good he can be over a mile, taking the Group Three Superior Mile Stakes at Haydock and now his handler has put up some big targets for him over the next few months.

Tate has his eyes set on the QEII at Ascot next month as the big target but before that it looks as though the Joel Stakes at Newmarket could be his next event, only if the ground is not quick.

(Credit ATR) “What I would like to run him in next is the Joel at Newmarket, but he wouldn’t be a fast ground horse,” said Tate.

“That’s the first possible race, so we’ll just have to take it as it comes. Other possibles are the Prix Daniel Wildenstein in France or the Challenge Stakes at Newmarket I’ve entered him in, but that’s over seven and he really would want cut in the ground for that.

“At the end of the year obviously there is the QEII but we’re looking for a Group Two next, ideally.

”Tate went on: “He came out of Haydock in very good order and is crying out for another run. I’d like that to be the Joel, but I would like to see some rain between between now and then.

“I’d rather give him a run in a Group Two before a Group One, but I can see problems in that so we could end up in a Group One straight away. Either way, I think he’s going to be some prospect next year.

“Should he win the QEII then obviously there’s a stud career to think about, but that would be a lovely conversation to have. At this stage I’m going into the autumn thinking we’re going to have fun with him next year.”