NATIVE TRAIL passed his 2000 Guineas test with flying colours as Charlie Appleby declared “job done”.
His monster three-year-old extended his unbeaten run to five thanks to a three and a half length Craven success at 1-4.
And punters reckon the colts’ Classic is as good as a one horse race as he was cut into 6-4 from 5-2 after sustained post-race support.
Appleby wiped his brow and said: “That’s a relief, just what we wanted. I’m delighted.
“I was happy watching that race throughout. Everyone in the stands, I could hear them go ‘oh he’s in trouble here.’
“But we know this horse. Under the pump, he just picks up. He’s done it before and probably always will. He does it all the right way around, when he gets into a battle you just know he’s going to keep going to the line.”
He really is a monster!
Native Trail powers away to win the bet365 Craven Stakes
The Buick Appleby train rolls on!
#ITVRacing pic.twitter.com/sIhqqM3xdH
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) April 13, 2022
Stablemate Coroebus, who will head straight to the 2000 Guineas, is his closest rival in the betting at 7-2.
In behind is the Aidan O’Brien pair of Luxembourg at 5-1 and 8-1 shot Point Lonsdale.
Appleby, who is yet to win the 2000 Guineas, knows this is his best shot at breaking his duck.
He said: “It’s going to be impossible for Will Buick to jump off him now, but it’s very exciting to be going there with two big chances. We’ve never had a better pair of three-year-olds to go to into the race with.
“We were hopeful Native Trail would win and go and shorten up in the betting, so it doesn’t surprise me to see what price he is now.
“So often you have these champion two-year-olds go into the spring as a three-year-old and then they get beat, this horse hasn’t.”
Godolphin number one Will Buick, who rode a treble for Appleby, will have the pick of the trainer’s pair but admits there’s little chance he can switch to Coroebus.
He said: “That was perfect and it felt like a proper trial. It will be very hard for me to jump off him, they’re different horses but Native Trail suits this mile perfectly.
“He just picks up when you want and comes out of the dip brilliantly.”
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.sportingexcitement.com/horse-racing/jockey-nick-scholfield-leaves-track-in-ambulance-after-nasty-cheltenham-fall-with-racing-delayed/
