Triple crown bid likely

Press, 27 July 1989, Page 38

Triple crown bid likely

NZPA-Reuter London Nashwan, the Derby and Two Thousand Guineas winner, may become the first British horse since Nijinsky to attempt to win three classics in one season.

Angus Gold, Nashwan’s racing manager, said earlier this week that the Dick Hern-trained colt could run in the St Leger at Doncaster on September 16.

“In my view Nashwan should go for the St Leger,” Mr Gold said. “It is not a fashionable race these days, mainly because it is won by horses that have been only placed in previous classics. “However, that does

not apply to Nashwan. He is already a champion and it would be great to have a triple crown winner again.”

The alternative to the St Leger is the Prix de I’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on October 8. But Mr Gold said if the ground was soft there Nashwan’s owner, Hamdan Al-Maktoum, could run the colt’s halfbrother Unfuwain.

Nashwan, the first horse to win the Two Thousand Guineas, Derby and Eclipse since Blue Peter in 1939, created history by taking the King George and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot last Saturday.

His victory met with somewhat muted praise however, the slow time of 2:32.27 for the U/ 2 mile (2400 metres) journey and the neck margin to second-placed Cacoethes leaving many wondering if Nashwan’s “superhorse” tag was truly deserved.

Nashwan and Cacoethes left the rest of the field trailing in their wake, with the Tancred stakes runner-up, Top Class, third seven lengths away.

After a very slow early pace, Top Class moved around the field, covering the last 400 m in 21.36. He rolled in, colliding with Nashwan and causing him to lose his

rhythm. Cocoethes, with Greville Starky riding was in full flight outside him, and for a few desperate strides Nashwan was looking anything but a 29 favourite.

As Carson got to work on Nashwan the two horses settled down to battle out the finish, and although the judge called for the camera, there was no doubt which was the better colt over the last 50 metres.

While plans for Nashwan are undecided, the Prix de I’Arc de Triomphe will see Cocoethes in a strong lineup also featuring the other star colt of this season, Old Vic.