Whitcombe Rockstar has Listed races on his agenda after he brought up a four-timer in a mile handicap at Kempton Park on October 23.
Keiran Burke’s five-year-old has been in tremendous form this calendar year, winning five of his six starts at the Sunbury track and once on his sole turf appearance at Sandown Park.
This hot streak, which includes the valuable London Series Mile Final in early September, has seen his rating climb 29lb to a revised mark of 96.
Burke said: “Whitcombe Rockstar is absolutely fine after his win last week. You would not know he has had a race. He is in great form.
“I could not tell you what has been behind his progress this year. He has just improved and improved. There is nothing I can pinpoint and say ‘that’s why’, but he has got better with each run.
“I thought he was a bit too fresh at Kempton last week. It did not help that he had a wide draw [13] but I was pleased he got the job done. When he gets a decent draw again, we might see more improvement.
“We are now thinking about the Listed Hyde Stakes back at Kempton in early December. There is also a Listed race at Deauville around the same time that the owners are keen to look at. He would have to step up again, but it is possible and we have nothing to lose.
“There are a few nice races for him at Kempton during the winter, some of them quite valuable, but we will take it race by race. He has been in a while now and that is something to consider. He could have a little holiday after his run in early December.”
Qazaq looks a horse to follow for Roger Varian judged on his six-length novice success at the same Kempton Park fixture. The Kingman gelding was having his first start since making a winning introduction at Chelmsford last winter.
Dramatic Star needed every yard of the extended 12 furlongs to take the class two handicap at Newcastle’s opening meeting on October 22, with a step up in trip now likely for William Haggas’ runner.
West Acre may have Three-Year-Old aspirations for George Scott after making it two wins from three starts in a Southwell novice on October 24. The six-length victory has resulted in a 12lb rise to 95.
Sir Mark Prescott’s sprinter Scarboroughwarning also received a 12lb hike following two runs in quick succession, winning a Wolverhampton handicap by almost five lengths on October 25 and finishing second at Southwell three days later.
Over in Ireland at Dundalk, Ostraka caused a 66/1 upset in the G3 Mercury Stakes, handing trainer Danny Murphy back-to-back victories in the five-furlong sprint.
Salamanca could have some loftier targets after shedding his maiden tag in a 10-furlong novice at Chelmsford on October 26. Jane Chapple-Hyam’s son of Sea The Stars was making his first appearance since contesting the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial in the spring.
