Portamento Goes For Hackwood Prize

Time/Date - 15.10hrs local time /Saturday, July 18, 2015
Racecourse/Country - Newbury/UK
Surface/Distance - Turf/6f 8y

Portamento makes a quick reappearance in the Group Three Al Basti Equiworld Hackwood Stakes over six furlongs at Newbury, UK, on Saturday, July 18.

The three-year-old colt, trained by Charlie Appleby in Newmarket, enjoyed a successful return from a break at Chester on July 11, when he quickened up well for a decisive win off top-weight in a six-furlong handicap.

He appeared twice over five furlongs during the All-Weather Championships over the winter, coming home sixth on Polytrack in the £150,000 Unibet Three-Year-Old Sprint at Lingfield Park on April 3 after a comfortable victory in a Tapeta conditions race at Wolverhampton in December.

The son of Shamardal was runner-up in a six-furlong Listed contest at Doncaster in October and posted a 10-length success in a Haydock Park conditions race, also over six furlongs, earlier the same month.

Charlie Appleby said: "It was a very pleasing run from Portamento at Chester and he came out of the race very well.

"He's rated 109 now and should be competitive in a Group Three race like this. It should be decent ground and we have no reasons to think that he won't be going close again."

William Buick partners Portamento, who tackles five rivals including Group Three winner Aeolus, course and distance Listed scorer Musical Comedy and Group Three runner-up Watchable.

Godolphin has won the Hackwood Stakes with Auenklang (2000) and Soul (2012).