Aomori City handed French Guineas option following G3 Craven Stakes third

Aomori City could head to Longchamp next month for the G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains following a promising third on his seasonal return in the G3 Craven Stakes at Newmarket on Wednesday, 16 April.

Making his first start since finishing third in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, the Charlie Appleby-trained colt was a little awkward from the stalls and raced at the rear of the nine runners.

William Buick made a significant move towards the centre of the course three furlongs from home, with Aomori City quickening to press Benevento and Wimbledon Hawkeye for the lead passing the two-furlong pole.

Aomori City continued to challenge Wimbledon Hawkeye at the head of affairs until Field Of Gold powered by the front two approaching the final half-furlong. Field Of Gold quickened away to score impressively by three and a half lengths, with Wimbledon Hawkeye edging out Aomori City for second by a head.

Charlie Appleby said: “Aomori City ran a creditable race. He just lost his back end leaving the stalls and William was left at the back in a race where they didn’t go an end-to-end gallop. He picked up well at the business end and is entitled to come forward for the run. I’d say that we will look towards the Poule d’Essai des Poulains with him.”

The trainer was also represented in the race by Opera Ballo, who was looking to follow up two dominant all-weather wins but could only finish seventh on his Pattern debut.

Charlie Appleby added: “Opera Ballo was taking a big step up and showed that he still has a lot to learn. The engine is definitely there, but it’s a case of going back to the drawing board for the time being.”

Several Godolphin horses galloped at Newmarket earlier in the day, including last season’s Champion Two-Year-Old Shadow Of Light and unbeaten G1 winner Desert Flower, who look set to be the leading royal blue contenders for the G1 2,000 Guineas and G1 1,000 Guineas.

Listed Jumeirah 2,000 Guineas victor Ruling Court could also have a Newmarket Classic on his agenda following a pleasing workout, while last season’s 2,000 Guineas hero Notable Speech warmed up for his intended seasonal return in the G1 Lockinge Stakes.

Charlie Appleby said: “I was pleased with Shadow Of Light’s work. He has done well physically from two to three and it’s all systems go towards the 2,000 Guineas. Coming here for a gallop was always our plan, rather than take in a trial, and his preparation so far has been faultless.

“Desert Flower has enjoyed a great winter and has done very well. She looks a powerful filly now and you couldn’t help but be impressed with her work this morning.  She takes a bit of time to get organised but, once she hits the rising ground, she really finds her stride. She’s an unbeaten G1 winner, which is always exciting, and we are very much looking forward to the 1,000 Guineas.

“We were looking at a Derby Trial for Ruling Court, but the 2,000 Guineas is one of the best Derby trials anyway – we’ve seen the Derby winner come from it many a time. He’s in the mix for the race, and we will also consider the Classic Trial at Sandown Park next week. He looks a Derby horse, but we feel he could be competitive in a Guineas as well.

“I was very happy with Notable Speech, who prefers a quicker surface but appeared to enjoy himself. We are thinking of the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, with hopefully the Lockinge Stakes beforehand. Everything is ground dependent with him – we saw at Longchamp last year that he is not the same horse on soft going. It’s exciting to see him back as a four-year-old and I’m hoping that we might end up at Del Mar for the Breeders’ Cup again.”