Craven test for Masar & Glorious Journey

Masar and Glorious Journey each go for a second G3 success in the Craven Stakes, the highlight of day two of the Craven meeting and a leading Classic trial, at Newmarket on Thursday, 19 April. 

Both three-year-old colts are trained by Charlie Appleby, with Masar (William Buick) switching back to turf in the mile contest after disappointing on dirt in the Listed Al Bastakiya Sponsored By emirates.com over an extended nine furlongs at Meydan, UAE, on 10 March. 

Masar was the impressive winner of the seven-furlong G3 Solario Stakes at Sandown Park last year and the son of New Approach acquitted himself well over a mile at G1 level, finishing third in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Chantilly, France, and sixth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar, USA. 

Dubawi colt Glorious Journey (James Doyle) is unbeaten in two appearances, having followed up debut success in a six-furlong maiden on Newmarket’s July Course with a comfortable all-the-way victory over a furlong further in the G3 Prix la Rochette at Saint-Cloud, France. 

A field of seven for the Craven Stakes also contains G1 Racing Post Trophy runner-up Roaring Lion and Newbury conditions race winner White Mocha. Glorious Journey is drawn two and Masar is next to him in three. 

Charlie Appleby said: “Masar is going to be suited by the return to turf and we are putting a line through his run on dirt at Meydan. 

“He has a lovely pedigree and did nothing wrong as a juvenile. His only really disappointing race came on dirt in the Al Bastakiya and it was a bit of a non-event at Del Mar because it turned into a messy race.

“He travelled back from Dubai recently looking fit and well and, if he reproduces the form of his Solario Stakes victory or third in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, then he should be a big player. 

“Glorious Journey also has a great pedigree and was unbeaten in two starts last season. While Masar comes into this race ready to roll, I expect Glorious Journey to improve on whatever he does this week. 

“He wintered very well out in Dubai and has physically done very well from two to three. We hope to see him run a nice race with the future in mind.”