Leading AUSTRALIAN jockey Steven Arnold is on his way to England where he’ll partner superstar sprinter Scenic Blast in the Group 1 Darley July Cup (1200m) at Newmarket in the early hours of Saturday morning AEST.
Arnold teamed with the Danny Morton-trained galloper to win the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes (1000m) at Royal Ascot last month and says Scenic Blast has earned his position as short-priced favourite.
“I’m pretty confident in the horse and that he’ll run well and once I get on the horse I’ll be pretty right and he’s probably short for a reason and hopefully he can do the job again.
“Danny rides all the work himself and he’s reported that his came through the race really well and he’s in great shape so I’m pretty happy with that,” Arnold said.
Scenic Blast will face 13 rivals in the King’s Stand after connections of second-favourite Paco Boy and the horse Scenic Blast beat in the King’s Stand, Fleeting Spirit, confirmed both horses are now likely to run.
“Yeah there’s a few that ran in the race the other day and a couple of different ones but it’s probably not much stronger than the King’s Stand so the horse has come through well and has luck in running we’ll be very competitive.”
The x-factor looms as Aussie sprinting legend Takeover Target which has been Scenic Blast’s constant galloping companion since arriving in England. The July Cup will be the first time the pair has clashed in a race.
“Takeover has obviously been great for Australia and he’s done a great job over the last few years and we won’t be underestimating Takeover,” said Arnold.