Dubai: Outstrip gave trainer Charlie Appleby a significant top-level success last season and the Godolphin handler will be hoping that he can reprise the feat in Wednesday’s Group 1 Sussex Stakes, the feature race on day two of this year’s Glorious Goodwood meeting.
The Darley-bred showed himself to be a prospective talent when defeating top juveniles from around the world in the Group 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita Park, US but has been unable to maintain that form in two starts this season.
He trailed in last of 14 in the 2,000 Guineas (G1) at Newmarket in May before showing noticeable improvement in his subsequent start in the Group 1 St. James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot where he was a spirited third to the highly-regarded Kingman.
Outstrip, the mount of William Buick, faces four rivals including Kingman and defending Sussex Stakes champion Toronado in what looks to be a thrilling renewal of a race which pits the three-year-olds against older horses over a mile.
The Sussex Stakes, which headlines a cracking seven-race card, is also regarded as the most prestigious race and is part of the QIPCO British Champions Series.
All eyes will be on the John Gosen’s mile specialist Kingman and Richard Hannon’s Royal Ascot scorer Toronado.
The former was a thumping 2 1/4 length winner of the Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes at the Royal meeting while Toronado landed the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes.
War Command and Darwin represent Aidan O’Brien who is looking for a fourth success in the race.
Meanwhile, big clues will be on offer in the Group 3 Gordon Stakes which is a respected trial for September’s St Leger (G1) at Doncaster and also the Group 2 Vintage Stakes, an early prep for next season’s Classics.
The seven-race programme on Wednesday gets underway with the 4,200-metre Goodwood Handicap, the longest race of the five-day meeting.
