Eustace hoping the Time is right for Sandals to stake claim

Harry Eustace believes the sprinting division will be hard to predict once again this season as star filly Time For Sandals prepares to line up for the Zyn Abernant Stakes at Newmarket on Thursday.

Last year’s Commonwealth Cup winner at Royal Ascot is the market leader for the the Group Three over six furlongs on the third day of the Craven Meeting.

The four-year-old’s initial aim was in Dubai, however those plans were shelved due to the conflict in the Middle East, but Eustace is confident Time For Sandals will give a good account on her first start of the campaign.

“We are looking forward to running her and seeing where we are, she obviously did great for us last year,” Eustace said.

“With a three-turning-four-year-old sprinter, you always hope there’s a bit of maturity to come.

“As always it’s not the big target, but she’s relatively straightforward to train and she’s pretty straight because the early-season target was Dubai and those plans changed.

“We have to go there pretty ready, there is a bit of match fitness to come, but she’s fit enough to do herself justice if we’ve got her in the right place.

“Ryan (Moore, jockey) was spare and called for the ride, so let the sprinting division commence. It was hard to predict last year. I suspect it will be similar again this year.”

Clive Cox will be double-handed in the race with Jasour, who was runner-up in the Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster last month, and all-weather specialist Diligent Harry.

“He ran a blinder first time back in the Cammidge at Doncaster after a very lengthy break and I’ve been happy with him since then,” Cox said of Jasour.

“He’ll appreciate the ground at Newmarket, he’s a July course winner, hopefully the track holds no concerns and we are very happy.

“We always thought after his July Stakes win at two, and we’ve had a few niggles here and there, but I think we’ve always had confidence in his ability. He warrants the appreciation we all give him.

“I’d just like to see him with a bit of confidence and his head in front, and I’m absolutely certain he can achieve success at the highest level.”

Speaking about Diligent Harry, Cox added: “He comes here in excellent form with his back-to-back successes in Listed all-weather races.

“He’s fresh and well, and will also appreciate the ground after I walked the track on Tuesday.

“He’s had near-misses at the highest level, he’s Group One placed, Group Two placed and Group Three, but we still have to achieve that initial success on the turf.”

Elmonjed was last seen winning the Garrowby Stakes at York in September for William Haggas and is another making his seasonal reappearance.

“He’s a bonny little horse and very consistent,” said Angus Gold, racing manager for owners Shadwell.

“I think William said he needed his first run back last year and it might be the same this year, but he’s ready to go anyway.”

Stuart Williams’ Criterion Stakes winner Quinault tasted recent success in Qatar, while Aramram aims to build on his Cammidge Trophy glory for Richard Hannon in the 14-runner field.