2022 July Cup: Fahey's Perfect Power primed to clinch Group 1 number four

Saturday: 4.25 Newmarket
Darley July Cup (Group 1) | 6f | 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

The dust had barely settled on Perfect Power’s explosive Commonwealth Cup success at Royal Ascot – the third Group 1 of his career – when trainer Richard Fahey predicted further success at the highest level for his stable star.

“It will be four Group 1s soon, won’t it? He’s a special horse,” Fahey said.

Just three weeks after his victory over Flaming Rib in Berkshire, red-hot Perfect Power has the opportunity to prove Fahey right by landing the July Cup, a race close to the trainer’s heart after he sent out Mayson to win in 2012.

Perfect Power has thrived since Ascot, and Bruce Raymond, racing manager to the colt’s owner Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum, believes he goes to Newmarket with a favourite’s chance as he tackles older sprinters for the first time.

“He has done very well since Ascot. It was a polished performance in the Commonwealth Cup and we were all very excited by it,” Raymond said.

“I think he’s a worthy favourite, but he has to prove himself now against seasoned, older sprinters.”

Raymond insists the first two furlongs of the 6f Group 1 could prove key. “If Perfect Power can keep tabs on some very fast sprinters early on and just cruise in behind them, then I think he’ll have a great chance of going past them when he meets the rising ground,” he said.

“Ideally, we would prefer easier ground at Newmarket, but we’re not going to get that. I still believe he has an excellent chance. He’s a very exciting horse.”

Aussie ace Artorius eyes historic win

It is a huge weekend in Britain for stars of Australian sport with Nick Kyrgios playing in the men’s singles final at Wimbledon and ace sprinter Artorius going for Group 1 glory at Newmarket.

The three-year-old, who is trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, finished third behind Naval Crown and Creative Force in the Platinum Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, and hopes are high he can turn the tables.

Sam Freedman said: “He put a lot into the race at Ascot and lost a little bit of weight, but he put it back on a couple of days later. He seems to be thriving.”

Connections were thrilled with his Royal Ascot display, although there is still the feeling of what might have been after things did not pan out ideally for him.

“He ran an absolute blinder, but just didn’t get the breaks at the right time,” Freedman said. “We were all very proud of him.”

Artorius is entitled to have improved since the Platinum Jubilee, which was his first run since March, and Freedman also believes Newmarket may suit him better than Ascot.

“The track at Newmarket is a little different to Ascot, and I feel the stiff finish will suit him better,” he said. “He goes there with every chance.”

Godolphin sprinters give Appleby powerful hand

Godolphin sprint stars Naval Crown and Creative Force, first and second in the Platinum Jubilee, give Charlie Appleby a powerful hand as he looks to win his first July Cup.

Naval Crown sprang a 33-1 surprise on the royal heath when getting the better of 12-1 shot Creative Force by a neck, and the trainer believes there will not be much between the pair once again.

“They have both come out of Ascot in good shape and both have excellent credentials,” Appleby said.

Artorius (yellow sleeves): 'ran an absolute blinder' in the Platinum Jubilee StakesCredit: Alex Livesey (Getty Images)

“Creative Force has had experience of the track and the race, which are important factors in his favour. Last year [finished fifth to Starman] he had dropped back in distance after winning the Jersey Stakes over seven furlongs and it was his first taste of sprinting at the top level.

“This time he is more seasoned and comes to the July Cup off a great second in one of the most competitive Group 1 sprints seen for some time.”

Appleby is adamant there is further improvement to come from Naval Crown, who remains very lightly raced as a sprinter.

“He's a class horse who finished fourth in the 2,000 Guineas last season,” Appleby said. “He's still a junior in the sprinting ranks, but one with the potential to progress even higher in the rankings.”

What they say

Chris Wall, trainer of Double Or Bubble
She came out of Ascot very well, and did a nice piece of work last week. She wasn’t too far behind at Ascot, and the track at Newmarket should play more to her strengths. We’re perfectly realistic about the task she faces, but if she did manage to finish third the Group 1 status would enhance her paddock value no end.

Hugo Palmer, trainer of Flaming Rib
I’m very excited about running him. He’s been in tremendous order since Ascot, and did a wonderful piece of work, which is why we took the decision to supplement him on Monday. We have the first three in Platinum Jubilee and the winner of the Commonwealth Cup to beat, and it would be no mean feat to do so. That said, I do think there is a good chance Newmarket will suit him better than Ascot. It’s a sharper, quicker track and tends to favour those who race prominently. I think it will play to his strengths. It’s a tough ask, but we’re excited about the challenge.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Cadamosto
We were delighted with his run in the Commonwealth Cup and it showed he had made good progress from his run at Newbury. We've been very happy with him at home since. He's a fast horse and hopefully his progress can continue.

Eddie Lynam, trainer of Romantic Proposal
About ten days before Royal Ascot she had a dirty scope and it took her a couple of weeks to shake it off. She still wasn't clear by the end of Royal Ascot so it held us up a bit, but we're happy with her now. Her last run over six furlongs came on Irish Derby weekend last year, and she was very impressive when winning a Listed race then. We're definitely very hopeful about the trip.

Michael O'Callaghan, trainer of Twilight Jet
He didn't give us any signs before the Commonwealth Cup that he was under the weather but, as it turned out, immediately after the race we got him scoped and all wasn't well. We're looking forward to running him. It's nice to be coming in under the radar and hopefully he runs a big race. If he runs to his ability, he'll run a big race.

Yoshito Yahagi, trainer of King Hermes
His ideal trip is seven furlongs, but hopefully the incline at Newmarket will help him dropping back to six furlongs.

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