Racing

David Wachman’s Phoenix Stakes winner Sudirman has several big-race options

Races like the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket on October 12th or the Dewhurst Stakes over a furlong further on the same afternoon could now be on the agenda

Wayne Lordan on Sudirman (centre) wins the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes from Big Time (red and yellow).
Wayne Lordan on Sudirman (centre) wins the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes from Big Time (red and yellow).
Wed Aug 14 2013 - 01:00

Sudirman, David Wachman’s Group One-winning juvenile, has several big-race options for the rest of the season. The Henrythenavigator colt followed up his victory in the Group Two Railway Stakes over Big Time by beating the same rival in the Group One Phoenix Stakes on Sunday.

Most Phoenix Stakes winners progress to the National Stakes at the Curragh on September 15th, but races like the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket on October 12th or the Dewhurst Stakes over a furlong further on the same afternoon could be on the agenda.

“It was wonderful and quite unexpected with War Command (in the race), but I guess you can never be scared of one horse and we took him on,” Alex Cole, racing manager to Sudirman’s owners, Jim and Fitri Hay, told At The Races.

“David’s always told me he’s probably going to be better over seven, which is quite nice, so the Vincent O’Brien National Stakes, the Middle Park or the Dewhurst are the options.

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“He broke the two-year-old track record over six so he’s got enough speed over six. I don’t know what he’ll be doing next year, we’ll see.”

Big Time will have just one more run this season, with trainer John Murphy expecting him to excel next season over further. "I've always thought he'd be better over further so it's been pleasing to see him reach such a high level of form already," said the Co Cork handler.

“He’ll move up to seven furlongs now, with the National Stakes the possibility. I don’t think he’ll have more than one more run this year, we’ll put him away after his next (run) and look forward to next year.

“It was freaky how the two colts ran exactly to the pound, they are two very exciting horses. My lad will have no problem staying a mile next season. He’s very exciting and looks like he’ll improve for further, he could be anything. Next year I’ll be able to train him hard – physically he’s very big.

“Along with Tuscan Evening, who was also second in a Group One for me before winning Grade Ones in America, he’d be the best on paper I’ve ever had.”

Telescope will aim to bounce back from his Haydock disappointment in the Neptune Investment Management Great Voltigeur Stakes at York on August 21st. Owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing tweeted: “Telescope has come out of his race very well and Sir Michael plans to run him next in the Great Voltigeur at York.”