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Harbinger Could Head Next to the Juddmonte International
04/08/10

The mouthwatering prospect of the mighty Harbinger taking a step back in trip and taking on the cream of Europe's best ten furlong horses in York's prestigious Juddmonte International Stakes at this month's York Ebor 2010 meeting looks more than just a vague possibility, with the news that trainer Sir Michael Stoute has hinted that he would like to run on August 19, rather than leave his colt on the sidelines until he bids for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October, writes Elliot Slater.

Following his nonchalant 11-length dismissal of Irish Derby winner Cape Blanco in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot last month, the feeling was that the son of Dansili would be given a break before being prepared for an autumn campaign that would centre around the famous Paris event. Harbinger however is reported to have regained all the weight lost during his Ascot romp, a victory that elevated him to the position of highest rated horse in the world, and connections are now seriously considering preparing him to drop back in trip to tackle the famous York feature.

Although not in the original entries for the Group 1 contest, owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing seem prepared to stump up the £50,000 supplementary fee that could see their new star take on the likes of Eclipse Stakes winner Twice Over, and Sussex Stakes runner-up Rip Van Winkle, in a race that would surely put thousands on the gate at the Kanvesmire and excite the Horse race betting public.

Not since the second outing of his career when winning his maiden at Chester in May of last year has Harbinger run at a distance of less than a mile-and-a-half, but it appears that confidence is high in the Stoute camp, and the visual evidence certainly suggests that the four-year-old has sufficient tactical speed to make his presence felt at the trip, even at the very highest level.