Denton Hall News

'We're going into the unknown' warns Dods ahead of Arapaho Gold's Gimcrack bid

TRAINER Michael Dods has warned “we’re going into the unknown” as his star two-year-old Arapaho Gold heads the market for his toughest test so far at York on Friday.

The Bayside Boy gelding, owned by Darlington businessman Doug Graham, is ante-post favourite for the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2) after remaining unbeaten in three runs so far.

However, Dods, who trains at Denton, near Darlington, is keen to stress that the smart juvenile faces a big test against a class field.

The opposition includes Hugo Palmer’s Adday of Scarlett, who has been runner-up in three Group 2 races since winning on his first two outings at Newmarket and Ascot.

The Mehmas colt was runner-up last time out in the Richmond Stakes, at Goodwood, and second in the Kingdom of Bahrain Stakes at Newmarket, and the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot before that.

The Gimcrack field also includes the Aidan O’Brien runner Marco Polo, a chestnut son of Night of Thunder, who was second on his debut at The Curragh.

“We’re obviously looking forward to Friday and it’s great for the yard to have a horse good enough to take his chance in such a prestigious race, but we’re under no illusion that it’s a really tough test,” said Dods.

“The form of Adday of Scarlett is rock solid in Group 2 company, and the Aidan O’Brien horse is unexposed. It’s very competitive and we’re going into the unknown.

“Arapaho Gold obviously a nice horse and, whatever he does on Friday, he’s already done well in his debut season. He deserves his chance and, hopefully, he’ll run a big race.

“Connor rode him at home on Saturday, and he was very pleased with him, so he goes there in good form.”

Doug Graham has been an extremely lucky owner for the Dods stable, having had the likes of dual Stewards Cup winner, Commanche Falls, and Dakota Gold running in his colours.

“Doug’s been a great supporter of the yard and it’s just nice for him to have a runner in such a prestigious race at the York Festival,” added Dods.

Dods has also entered Mighty Magnus, owned by Frank Lowe, in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Handicap (Heritage Handicap) on the opening day of the York Festival on Wednesday.

Commanche Falls is an entry in the Sky Bet Constantine Handicap on Saturday but plans for him have not been confirmed.