Sir Busker set for reappearance in Listed Spreadex Sports Tandridge Stakes
The 116-rated duo of Sir Busker and Tempus headline the entries for the inaugural Spreadex Sports Tandridge Stakes (2.26pm) over a mile, one of two Listed Fast-Track Qualifiers at Lingfield Park on Saturday, February 4.
Sir Busker was last seen out finishing third behind Baaeed in York’s G1 Juddmonte International in August, having enjoyed his biggest success to date in the G2 York Stakes at the same track in July.
William Knight’s stable star acquitted himself well in four other G1 contests in 2022, including fifth-placed finishes in the Dubai Turf and Lockinge Stakes.
Sam Hoskins, syndicate manager for owner Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds, said: “I was sent a video of Sir Busker working this morning and he looks in really good nick.
“He is further forward than he was this time last year, as in 2021 he ended his season on Champions Day whereas last year his final race was the Juddmonte, which allowed us to give him a nice break and bring him back in earlier.
“Saturday will be a stepping-stone towards Saudi Arabia and Dubai, but this has been the plan for a while and it is good to support a new Listed race at Lingfield. The conditions of the race suit him as he is not penalised for his G2 win.
“Ryan Moore definitely takes the ride. He is going to ride him in the Neom Turf Cup and the idea was that whoever rides him in Saudi would be on board at Lingfield as well.”
Following a Fast-Track Qualifier victory at Newcastle, the Archie Watson-trained Tempus progressed into a high-class miler last year, winning G3 prizes at Salisbury and Deauville as well as taking third in the G2 Joel Stakes at Newmarket.
The seven contenders also include Roger Varian’s promising filly Manaafith, who made it five wins from five all-weather starts in a Fast-Track Qualifier at Southwell on New Year’s Day.
Mums Tipple, one of two entries for Richard Hannon alongside Witch Hunter, is in line for a step up in trip after capturing a six-furlong conditions race at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day.
The same applies to last year’s All-Weather Sprint Championships fourth Lord Of The Lodge, who defied top-weight for Karl Burke in a competitive seven-furlong handicap at Southwell last week.
Elsewhere on the card, the David O’Meara-trained duo of Summerghand and Alligator Alley are among 13 entries for the Listed BetUK Kachy Stakes (1.51pm) over six furlongs.
Summerghand, the 2021 All-Weather Sprint champion, notched his second win over the course and distance in the Listed BetUK Golden Rose Stakes in November, while Alligator Alley is chasing a four-timer on the all-weather.
The potential line-up also includes Annaf, who has already posted two eye-catching victories this year for Mick Appleby, latterly in a Kempton Park conditions race.
The Clive Cox-trained Diligent Harry could return to the scene of his biggest victory in the 2021 All-Weather Three-Year-Old Championships, while Charlie Fellowes is responsible for G3-winning mare Vadream.
Karl Burke, who saddled the first two home in last year’s Kachy Stakes, has three contenders, headed by York Listed scorer Last Crusader and all-weather specialist Exalted Angel.
