3 minute read
Julie Camacho is hoping Battaash has a dislike for York as her first Group 1 runner Judicial bids to deliver an extraordinary second Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes for the Elite Racing Club.
Judicial is the older half-brother to Elite-owned Marsha, who toppled the odds-on Lady Aurelia in a photo-finish to land York's sprint feature last year, with Battaash fourth after proving difficult to load.
The six-year-old will be reunited with Luke Morris on Friday, who rode Marsha at York for Sir Mark Prescott.
Judicial was a first Group runner for Camacho, who has been licensed for 21 years, at Newmarket in the spring and delivered a breakthrough win when beating Muthmir by a neck in the Group 3 Coral Charge on his latest start.
"We were going to run him at the Curragh after Sandown but he just wasn't 100 per cent so we decided to take him straight to the Nunthorpe fresh and well," said Camacho.
"We're not daft. If Battaash is in the form he was at Goodwood he will win but we are hoping he doesn't like York."Judicial won his first three starts for Roger Charlton, but only had one more outing before moving to Camacho.
"Being in a smaller yard and getting turned out every day seems to suit him," said Camacho. "He'd had a few problems and a bit of a reputation for being a tearaway. He'll be led to start as usual on Friday but at home he's very straightforward. Nicola Scatcherd has been the making of the horse. She is pregnant and due in November but she still insists on riding him. She loves him to bits."
Mabs Cross beat Judicial by a neck in the Palace House Stakes, but finished behind Battaash at Haydock and Royal Ascot. Her trainer Michael Dods is not predicting a turnaround in the Nunthorpe, despite winning twice in the last three years.
"You can't knock Battaash," he said. "At Goodwood last time he had the race put to bed at halfway.
"Mabs Cross is more suited to a track like Ascot which is a stiff five furlongs and the field come back to her. She's a finisher so might not be as effective on a flat track like York but she deserves her chance. Battaash can heat himself up. I'm sure she will run well wherever she finishes."
