AUTHORIZED was installed a 7-4 favourite for the Juddmonte International Stakes at York on August 21 as Frankie Dettori looked ahead to the ride on the runaway Derby winner.
The race brings together the 1-2-3 from the memorable Coral-Eclipse Stakes last month, but Coral's opening show placed Authorized as clear favourite ahead of his Eclipse conqueror Notnowcato at 5-2 and George Washington, a close third at Sandown, next best at 3-1.
“I'm really looking forward to getting on him again,?said Dettori of Authorized, who gave him his much desired first Derby success when scooting home by five lengths from Eagle Mountain. He added: “Authorized was my first Derby winner and I'll never forget that moment.?
Authorized looked in great shape in a recent spin on the Limekilns in Newmarket under Noel O'Connor shortly after the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot which he bypassed for another possible clash with Notnowcato, who won the York feature12 months ago.
Authorized is part of the Maktoum family team following his purchase by Sheikh Mohammed after his Derby win, so Dettori would have been expected to ride even before news that none of Godolphin's five International entries - headed by Ramonti - are likely to run.
Blue Ksar is a possible for Saturday's Rose of Lancaster Stakes and the Godolphin team have other plans in mind for the other four.
Simon Crisford, racing manager to Godolphin, said: “It is unlikely that we will have runners as things stand at the moment.?
“Ramonti might possibly go for the Prix du Moulin and has come out of his race in the Sussex Stakes very well. We are are happy to head to France.?
lympian Odyssey might go for a Group 3 at Salisbury and Echo Of Light is in the Prix Jacques Le Marios and could go there of for a Group 3 in France the following weekend.?
"Stage Gift - we have no firms for at the moment and we are going to make a plan soon but it wouldn't be the Juddmonte International and he is entered up in plenty of races overseas.?
Notnowcato is understood to have had a troublesome corn removed, but is said to be back swimming and expected to take his place, subject to no hiccups along the way.
A day later, Dalvina is likely to take her chance in the Group 1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks at York after connections decided to sidestep an engagement at Arlington Park this weekend.
The daughter of Grand Lodge was an impressive winner of the Listed Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket in May on her reappearance and bounced back from a disappointing effort in the Oaks when finishing third to Silkwood in the Ribblesdale Stakes.
Trainer Ed Dunlop said: “With the quality of the American fillies and Irridescence in the line up we decided not to take a three-year-old out there for the Beverly D and will revert to the Yorkshire Oaks.?
“We have given her a nice break and brought her back. She is not the most robust of fillies but she looks to be maturing.?
Juddmonte International Stakes
Coral:
7-4 Authorized,
5-2 Notnowcato,
3 George Washington,
8 Asiatic Boy,
10 Stage Gift,
14 Distant Way
20 Passage Of Time,
40 Pressing, Salford Mill,
66 Hattan, Kandidate§@ªÌ:
°¨«L ®É¶¡: 7/8/2007 10:52 PM