Essential Quality strikes on another big Saturday at the Spa

Essential Quality ensured that Saratoga’s reputation as the graveyard of Champions didn’t claim another victim as he dug deep for a half-length success in Saturday’s G2 Jim Dandy Stakes.

The Belmont Stakes winner produced a resolute display as he overcame a wide trip to score on his first start in almost two months, a performance that should put him spot on for the G1 Travers Stakes at the end of this month.

It was a second major win for Godolphin at Saratoga this year, following Althiqa’s victory over Summer Romance in the G1 Diana Stakes on the opening weekend. Hopes will be high that Maxfield can continue the excellent run this Saturday when he lines up in the G1 Whitney Stakes.

While Althiqa and Summer Romance are enjoying a well-deserved break following their exertions, their trainer Charlie Appleby will be hoping for more G1 success at the meeting this week with Secret Protector in the Saratoga Derby. Lazuli and Creative Flair also hold Graded Stakes nominations for the trainer at Saratoga this week.

Passion And Glory continued his progressive summer when making all to take the G3 Glorious Stakes at Goodwood. A step up to G1 level now beckons for the son of Cape Cross in the Grosser Preis von Baden – a race Godolphin has won for the last three years with Best Solution, Ghaiyyath and Barney Roy.

Godolphin could also bid for G1 glory in Germany this Sunday, with Star Safari and Walton Street under consideration for the Grosser Preis von Berlin.

In France, this year’s Dubai World Cup Sponsored By Emirates Airline third Magny Cours took advantage of a drop in grade as he won a Listed race at Clairefontaine. The son of Medaglia d’Oro looks set to be on his travels again, with a return to dirt among the possibilities for the six-year-old.