ARCHIPENKO (Kingmambo) is set to put it up to SEA THE STARS (Cape Cross
[Ire]) and CONDUIT (Ire) (Dalakhani) in Saturday’s Eclipse S. (Eng-G1) at
Sandown, for which a total of 14 horses were declared at the five-day stage on
Monday. Last year’s Queen Elizabeth II Cup (HK-G1) winner and Arlington Million
(G1) runner-up will be racing in Europe for the first time since his win in the
Summer Mile (Eng-G2) at Ascot last July.
“He’s doing well and his preparation so far has been as much as we could ask
of him,” trainer Mike de Kock’s representative Juan Nel told PA Sport Monday.
“He’s ready to take his chance, but it’s quite a strong field with the likes of
Conduit and Sea the Stars — it’s probably his toughest challenge to date.”
John Oxx committed to running Sea the Stars, the Two Thousand Guineas
(Eng-G1) and Epsom Derby (Eng-G1) hero, in the 10-furlong contest following the
heavy rain that hit the Curragh ahead of Sunday’s Irish Derby (Ire-G1), and he
could meet St Leger (Eng-G1) and Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) winner Conduit. He may
be joined by LANG SHINING (Dr Fong), who would be used for pace-setting duties
by Sir Michael Stoute.
If allowed to take his chance, Conduit will be renewing rivalry with CIMA DE
TRIOMPHE (Galileo [Ire]), who beat him by a nose when in receipt of seven pounds
in the Brigadier Gerard S. (Eng-G3) over the course and distance on May 28.
Aidan O’Brien has four to choose from, including RIP VAN WINKLE (Galileo
[Ire]) and the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (Fr-G1) and Prix du Jockey-Club
(Fr-G1) third WESTPHALIA (Ire) (Danehill Dancer), while Henry Cecil has left in
Lockinge S. (Eng-G1) third TWICE OVER (Observatory).