Soccer

Blistering Baaeed set for Lockinge return

The unbeaten Baaeed will return on May 14 at Newbury for the Group 1 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes. Trainer William Haggas is in confident mood about his son on Sea The Stars.

William Haggas' unbeaten miler Baaeed is set to put his unbeaten record to the test in the Group 1 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes on May 14.

The Sea The Stars colt lit up the European racing scene last year, racking up six wins in a row, culminating in a victory over Palace Pier in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.

"Baaeed hasn't started fast work yet, but he's doing well. He's had a good winter and he's done lots of conditioning work. He'll go straight to Newbury. There's not a chance of him running anywhere first," said Haggas.
"The plan would be to go to Newbury and then Royal Ascot and then see where we are. I think the interesting thing then is when, if ever, are we going to go up in trip with him. He's a brother to Hukum and bred to get further, but while he's so good at a mile there's no need to."
The going was good to soft when Baaeed took the QEII but Newmarker handler Haggas is relaxed as to his charge's ability to handle any ground.
"There was an element of relief when he won the QEII. We hoped he was up to it and he proved that he was, but I still don't believe he needs that ground, which was pretty soft in my book," said the Newmarket handler.
"He's got some good form on that ground, but if the ground at Newbury came up quick it wouldn't bother me at all. It will be fine for him, I'm sure.
"Baaeed didn't start racing until last June, and after just six runs we all hope there's more to come. You can never be sure, and it's possible he won't be as good, but all of the signs are suggesting he might be just as good at four, if not better, so we have to hope that's the case."

Haggas' embarrassment of riches extends to also enterinng Aldaary who picked up a couple of valuable handicaps at the end of last year, including a Champions Day victory in the Balmoral Handicap.

He said: "Aldaary has never run in a stakes race yet, but he's a good horse on heavy ground, and a straight track suits him very well. He got that at Ascot, where he goes very well, and there's no reason Newbury wouldn't suit him just as well. Just occasionally it's been very soft for the Lockinge, and if that's the case Aldaary will be in there pitching too."

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