The week started well for Cape Cross when siring a maiden double at Newcastle and Windsor on Monday, 27 April.
Clearly relishing the step up in trip to a mile and a half, the Darley-bred Gilded Age, out of French Group Three winner Sweet Folly (Singspiel), scored readily at Newcastle by seven lengths on his third start for Mark Johnston.
Namibian Orator made his debut for owner/breeder Ballymacoll Stud at Windsor in the ten-furlong maiden, his victory setting him up nicely for his June aim of the G2 King Edward V11 Stakes at Royal Ascot. His dam Drama Class (Caerleon) is half-sister to Godolphin’s Stage Gift, by Cadeaux Genereux, winner of the G2 York Stakes
The following day, two-year-old Raine’s Cross was a similarly impressive debutant at Bath, streaking away over five furlongs to win by four and a half lengths. Out of the Group-placed Branston Jewel (Prince Sabo) and bred by Richard C J Manning, the Peter Winkworth-trained colt is another with Royal Ascot in his sights. His taking performance led the Racing Post to say he ‘looked a class apart’ and he is now on course for the G2 Coventry Stakes.
On Wednesday, it was the turn of Native Ruler to grace the winner's enclosure after landing the ten-furlong maiden at Pontefract. The three-year-old son of Cape Cross and Oaks winner Love Divine (Diesis) races for his breeder Lordship Stud and is trained by Henry Cecil. Making just his second start, having been runner-up on debut on 15 April, Native Ruler has since attracted some noticeable support in the betting market for the Derby. He also holds entries for the Newmarket Stakes on Saturday and for the G2 Dante Stakes at York's May meeting.
This weekend, Sea The Stars, a Cape Cross half-brother to Galileo, lines up for the first Classic of the season, the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, while a trio of Cape Cross fillies – Casilda, Saphira’s Fire and Cape Amber – are entered for the G3 Dahlia Stakes, also on the Rowley Mile.
