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Global Weekly Preview - 20.05.16

J A McGrath
The chance of another American Triple Crown winner being produced only 12 months after the coronation of the last one is expected to remain very much alive after Saturday's G1 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico, Baltimore.

The chance of another American Triple Crown winner being produced only 12 months after the coronation of the last one is expected to remain very much alive after Saturday's G1 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico, Baltimore.

Nyquist, winner of all his eight outings to date, landed the G1 Kentucky Derby on May 7 with total authority, suggesting he still holds a clear edge on his contemporaries at this stage of the season.

He had a length and a quarter to spare over runner-up Exaggerator and he is impossible to oppose in this, the second leg, having drawn gate 3 in the 11-runner field.

The breeding rights to Nyquist were purchased by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed before the colt's G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile win last year. The son of top sire Uncle Mo will stand as a Darley stallion at the end of his racing career.

Exaggerator (drawn 5) is facing up to his fifth clash with the unbeaten Nyquist and there appears no logical reason why he should suddenly turn the tables on his great rival. New blood in the shape of Stradivari and Collected comes into the line-up, but neither should worry Nyquist on all evidence thus far.

This is a weekend that promises several interesting talking points from a global perspective. Apart from Nyquist at Pimlico, there is the G1 Doomben Cup in Brisbane and the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh in Ireland (in addition to 2 Classics).

Godolphin are well represented at the Queensland Winter Carnival - the John O'Shea-trained duo Hauraki and It's Somewhat both have realistic claims in a highly competitive renewal of the prestigious Doomben Cup, with two New Zealand-breds Leebaz and Volkstok 'N' Barrell appearing the principal dangers.

In the UK, Saturday's Listed Fairway Stakes at Newmarket presents Godolphin-owned Linguistic with a late opportunity to win a passage to the Investec Derby at Epsom on June 4.

Linguistic pleased John Gosden with his good second to Viren's Army in the Listed Dee Stakes at Chester on May 6 and the trainer has chosen the Newmarket option instead of a run at Goodwood or an outing at Epsom's Breakfast With The Stars on Tuesday.

Another important Godolphin engagement on Saturday is the seasonal debut of the Jim Bolger-trained, Classic-placed Lucida in the G2 Lanwades Stud Stakes, for fillies and mares at the Curragh, in which she will be join by Devonshire. Lucida is very classy, and this could mark the start of a memorable campaign.

Finally, a big recommendation to study the outcome of the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup, which may offer strong pointers to Royal Ascot. Found, the G1 Breeders' Cup Turf winner, comes up against Fascinating Rock, the G1 Champion Stakes winner at Ascot, with Time Test and The Grey Gatsby thrown into the mix.

This is a race that could set the scene for G1 middle-distance racing this summer.

Global Weekly Preview