Ballarat trainer Harry Dwyer knows a victory in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at York, that’s a ‘Win & You’re In’ to the $1m Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.
With the Dwyer trained Asfoora being the first Australian starter in a Breeders’ Cup World Championship, she is now the $3 race favourite with Ladbrokes for Nunthorpe Stakes on Friday.
Today it’s the Noor Elaine Farm home-bred Asfoora and the RP Racing-owned Big Evs, the $7.50 third pick with bookmakers, who will each take-on one other ror the third time this season, with one win each.
Again to be ridden Oisin Murphy and drawing Barrier 8 of 14 runners over 5 furlongs of York Knavemire course, its Tom Marquand on the 3yo colt Big Eve for Yorkshire trainer Michael Appleby.
In fact, the 6yo mare Asfoora and Big Evs are certainly odd, as Asfoora did not win her first Group 1 until taking-out the King Charles III Sakes at Royal Ascot, have earlier won two Group 2 events.
In winning the King Charles III, Asfoora has already qualified for the Breeders’ Cup at Dal Mar on 2 November, while Big Evs is sill to qualify this season, having won the BC Juvenile Turf last year.
There’s no doubting Big Evs, for in addition to the Juvenile Turf he was a Royal Ascot winner at just his second start in the Windsor Castle Stakes, while he’s now 2 from3 this yeas at three years .
In defeating Asfoora by a short-head in a thriller at Goodwood in the King George, it was earlier victory for Asfoora by a length in the King Charles III Stakes, who was fourth in the Temple Stakes.
However, it’s Asfoora who has blossomed under British racing, even though sired by the ‘hard’ Young Artie, while Big Evs is a 55,000 Gns yearling, by Blue Point from the family of Dylan Thomas.
“Big Evs in good form and he’s ready,” said Michael Appleby, “as hopefully the rain stays away from the course it would be an amazing race, as all Yorkshire trainers want to win the Nunthorpe!”
Third last year to Live In The Dream is Victorious Racing’s Bradsell has firmed into $6.50 for Hollie Doyle and trainer Archie Watson who last won the Prix du Cercle at Deauville earlier this month.
Ryan Moore returns to ride the Highclere Thoroughbred 4yo filly Believing, who is at $8.50 for George Boughey, in being third in the King Gorge Stakes and earlier victory in the Sapphire Stakes.
Last year’s sensational Nunthorpe winner Live In The Dream is now at $12 having been winless this year for trainer Adam West, who has Makarovais at S29 for being third in the Sapphire Stakes.
Edward Bethell and jockey Callum Rodriquar have the 2023 British Champion Sprint winner Regional also paying $12, while Starlust is at $ 15 for Ralph Beckett having won twice this year.
