Native Trail set for familiar path following fruitful July Festival

Juvenile colt Native Trail joined a notable group of Godolphin winners of the G2 Superlative Stakes as he galloped out strongly in one of the highlights of last week’s July Festival at Newmarket.

The royal blue silks have now been carried to victory six times in the seven-furlong contest including by Dubawi, who posted his first Group-race success on the July Course 17 years ago.

Dubawi went on to win the G1 Vincent O’Brien National Stakes on his next start and Quorto also completed the Newmarket/Curragh double in 2018. Native Trail looks set to follow the same route as he aims to continue a faultless start to his career.

Five further Godolphin winners at the July Festival included Yibir, who looked a top stayer in the making when capturing the G3 Bahrain Trophy. Live Your Dream, Royal Fleet and Path Of Thunder all enjoyed handicap victories, while a step up to Pattern company beckons for impressive maiden winner Noble Truth.

Midtown produced a valiant effort in defeat when coming home third in the G1 Prix Jean Prat at Deauville on Sunday. The Dubawi colt’s performance was all the more commendable as he was making his first start for almost eight months and his Group-race debut.

Godolphin will bid for another G1 prize in France on Wednesday with Hurricane Lane, who makes a quick reappearance following his Irish Derby victory in the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp.

Saratoga’s prestigious Summer Meet gets underway this week and the first two home from the G1 Just A Game Stakes, Althiqa and Summer Romance, are due to re-oppose in Saturday’s G1 Diana Stakes.

The 40-day meeting looks set to hold extra significance this year with Maxfield, Essential Quality and Mystic Guide all on course to run at the New York track over the next two months.