"It’s always good to have a flagbearer" - Big Mojo heading to Royal Ascot after Haydock
Mick Appleby's sprinter, Big Mojo, a standout since winning the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood, is poised for Royal Ascot following an upcoming race in the Sandy Lane Stakes. The horse has displayed impressive form, competing well over six furlongs and scoring a victory in the Pavilion Stakes. Appleby is optimistic about Big Mojo's prospects, aiming for success in the Commonwealth Cup, taking a similar path as last year's standout, Inisherin. With preparation in full swing, Big Mojo is ready to shine this Saturday, prioritizing the Commonwealth Cup for Ascot.
- Big Mojo heads to Sandy Lane Stakes after Pavilion Stakes win
- Appleby targets Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot for Big Mojo
- The sprinter steps up successfully to six furlongs, showing strong form
Mick Appleby is hoping new stable star Big Mojo will head for Royal Ascot following his outing in the Sandy Lane Stakes this weekend.
Big Mojo came to prominence when handing Appleby his second successive victory in the Molecomb Stakes at Glorious Goodwood last year. Big Evs had struck in that five-furlong Group Three the previous season, and went on to secure Breeders' Cup glory over the flat five, before winning the Westow Stakes and the Qatar King George during his three-year-old campaign.
Unlike his former stablemate, Big Mojo was stepped up to six furlongs on the back of his Goodwood win. Appleby's sprinter finished fourth in the Gimcrack Stakes before placed efforts at Doncaster and the Breeders' Cup, before proving he could see out this longer trip with a reappearance victory in the Pavilion Stakes on Ascot Trials day.
Appleby has been preparing his top sprinter for the Sandy Lane Stakes since that Listed win and couldn't be happier with the market leader heading into Saturday's Group Two.
“Big Mojo came out of Ascot really well." Appleby said. "He’s going to Haydock in great shape and hopefully he can get the win. He’s in good form.”
"It’s always good to have a flagbearer and a decent horse in the yard – it lifts everybody.”
Last year, Inisherin went from Sandy Lane Stakes glory to Royal Ascot triumph when scoring in the Commonwealth Cup. Big Mojo is entered against his elders in the five-furlong King Charles III Stakes at the Royal meeting, but Appleby confirmed that the Commonwealth Cup remains his star's number on objective.
He continued, “I don’t think he’s got the build that Big Evs had. But Big Mojo gets six furlongs – Big Evs never raced beyond five."
“We’ll see how he goes on Saturday and take a look, but I think it’ll be the Commonwealth Cup."
You can find the latest betting for Saturday's Sandy Lane Stakes here on our website. My free guide to the feature race at Haydock will be published later today.
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