Tag Archive for: cold case

Sprint Cup assignment for Spycatcher after narrow Deauville defeat

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Spycatcher will be targeted at the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock following his near-miss in Sunday’s Prix Maurice de Gheest.

Having impressed in a Group Three at the track four weeks earlier, the five-year-old returned to Deauville for Sunday’s Group One feature and looked set to provide trainer Karl Burke with a first top-level success in almost four years when quickening clear of the field.

In the end he was mowed down by King Gold, with just a short head separating the pair at the line.

Burke said: “It was a bit frustrating as it was literally a nod of the heads, wasn’t it? Sometimes they go for you and sometimes they go against you, it’s just a shame it went against us in a Group One.

“I think he was probably the best horse in the race. Take nothing away from the winner, who stays really well, whereas we have that turn of foot and got away from them by that two or three lengths and probably thought we had the race in the bag at the furlong pole.

“The winner just cut us down and then we battled back again, credit to Spycatcher, but it was heads up heads down and it went against us.”

Trainer Karl Burke at York
Trainer Karl Burke at York (Mike Egerton/PA)

The Spigot Lodge handler is now hoping similarly testing conditions prevail on Merseyside on September 9 to give his charge the best chance of going one better ahead of a likely tilt at the Qipco British Champions Sprint at Ascot in October.

“Fingers crossed he stays in one piece and Haydock will be the plan, presuming the ground is right, and also Champions Day at Ascot, which nine times out of 10 does come up in our favour,” he added.

“We’re in the lap of the gods really as if either of those races are run on fast ground he won’t be there, but hopefully we’ll find some nice sprint races for him here or in France or wherever.”

Two and a half lengths behind his stablemate in fourth at Deauville was Cold Case, who Burke feels is now in need of more of a stamina test.

“He ran well, Cliff (Lee, jockey) just felt he was a little bit behind the bridle for whatever reason and he didn’t show his usual dash,” said the trainer.

“A step up in trip is definitely in the offing for him. He’ll go up to seven furlongs and we’ll probably try him at a mile before the season’s out.

“He’s a high-class horse but is probably not at that level just yet. Something like the Park Stakes at Doncaster next month could be a good one for him.”



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Sandy Lane option open for Commonwealth contender Cold Case

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Cold Case will be handed a Commonwealth Cup berth by Karl Burke after his scintillating victory at Ascot on Wednesday.

The three-year-old son of Showcasing took the Group Three British Racing School 40th Anniversary Commonwealth Cup Trial Stakes by a length and a half on his seasonal debut.

Clifford Lee’s mount was always to the fore in the six-furlong event and completed a hat-trick, having already landed two valuable prizes at Doncaster and Redcar at the back-end of last season.

Cold Case could now have a run in the Group Two Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock on May 26 – a race the Leyburn yard won last year with El Caballo – before his Group One engagement at Royal Ascot.

Burke said: “We were delighted with that. He is a lovely horse and hopefully we can get him to win at a higher grade as well and get him a stallion’s job with a bit of luck.

“He is a lovely stamp of a horse. I would imagine he will go for the Sandy Lane, then the Commonwealth. If for any reason he doesn’t make the Sandy Lane, he will go straight to the Commonwealth.

“Ascot is not an easy track to make all, but he’s a horse who will stay further and stay seven (furlongs), I think. Certainly he’ll get another 100 yards and he’s an exciting horse for the future.”



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Cold Case swoops late for Commonwealth Trial triumph

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Cold Case began his season in the best possible fashion when coming home strongly to win the British Racing School 40th Anniversary Commonwealth Cup Trial Stakes at Ascot.

Karl Burke’s three-year-old enjoyed a good season last year, winning a valuable sales race at Doncaster before ending with success in the Two Year Old Trophy at Redcar.

Sent off a 5-1 chance in what looked a very strong Group Three, he was caught out for speed over a furlong from home as Hollie Doyle and Bradsell, returning from a lengthy absence, shot clear.

Archie Watson’s Coventry Stakes winner looked as though he was about to resume winning ways, but on his first start since sustaining an injury in the Phoenix Stakes 270 days ago, he began to tire in the closing stages.

Clifford Lee on Cold Case sensed his opportunity and swept into the lead, triumphing by a length and a half, with 125-1 outsider The X O finishing well for second. Bradsell was a further short head back in third.

Lee said: “I thought as he hadn’t run for a while he might need it, but he picked up really well.

“He’s a good galloper, very consistent, and he has a bit of boot as well.

“I will be more confident wherever he goes next time.”



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