Godolphin prime their big guns

RACING/News: Godolphin are lining up a big week with Vodafone Derby hopes New South Wales, Graikos and Songlark going on trial…

RACING/News: Godolphin are lining up a big week with Vodafone Derby hopes New South Wales, Graikos and Songlark going on trial for Epsom and Bourbonnais and Anyaas challenging for the first two French Classics.

Sagitta 2,000 Guineas flop Lateen Sails could also be in action when the Dubai-backed operation send a strong team to the three-day York meeting next week.

Racing manager Simon Crisford revealed yesterday: "We would like to run New South Wales at Lingfield on Saturday if the rain came. It looks like it probably won't, so we have an alternative in Paris on Sunday, the Prix Lupin, or we could wait a bit longer."

The In The Wings colt, winner of both his races last year, stayed on well when fifth to Lateen Sails in the main Godolphin colts' trial over a mile at Nad Al Sheba at the beginning of last month.

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Graikos and Songlark could both run in the Tote Dante Stakes at York next Wednesday. Crisford said Graikos "has made solid progress" and added: "Frankie rode him this morning and was pleased. He might possibly be joined by Songlark, who ran well in the 2,000 Guineas when wanting a longer trip. He has come out of the race well and we feel we need to see him back on the racetrack sooner rather than later."

Bourbonnais will tackle the Gainsborough Poule d'Essai des Poulains, the French 2,000 Guineas, at Longchamp on Sunday, with Frankie Dettori riding.

Crisford said: "Bourbonnais had a slightly frustrating winter in as far as he worked well but then did not run as well as we hoped in the Guineas and Derby in Dubai. We are keen to try him back over a mile again before establishing a programme for the remainder of the season, but hopefully he will be a progressive sort."

Anyaas is Godolphin's intended runner in the Gainsborough Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (the French 1,000 Guineas), also at Longchamp on Sunday.