QIPCO 2000 Guineas entry Iconic Moment looks to maintain his unbeaten record in the Listed talkSPORT Spring Cup (3.06pm) at Lingfield Park on Saturday, March 4.
The seven-furlong feature is a Fast-Track Qualifier, with last year’s winner El Caballo doubling up in the £150,000 All-Weather Three-Year-Old Championships at Newcastle on Good Friday.
Iconic Moment steps up in class for James Tate after winning a pair of seven-furlong novice races at Chelmsford last year, including an eye-catching performance under a penalty in November.
The son of Harry Angel is joined by stable-mate New Definition, who relished the step up to seven furlongs when taking a novice race over the course and distance in December.
Tate said: “Iconic Moment is in great form and this race has been the plan since he won his second race at Chelmsford in November.
“He has a rating of 98, which did not leave us many other options, but we have been very happy with his homework. He is a horse full of potential and we will learn a lot more about him on Saturday.
“I put him in the Guineas as I think he is more of a miler than a six-furlong horse. It is possible that seven furlongs is his trip but, were he to win on Saturday, you would want that type of option.
“New Definition is a streetwise performer with loads of experience. He is the first foal from the owner’s dam [Second Generation] who was a Listed winner for us, so it would be nice if he could finish in the first three and get some black type.”
Richard Hannon’s Shouldvebeenaring and William Haggas’ Alpha Capture clash for a third time in a Fast-Track Qualifier. The Listed-winning duo filled the places behind Never Just A Dream at Newcastle in October and Shouldvebeenaring confirmed the form last time out at Southwell.
Hannon also saddles Kingman filly Minnetonka, who has contested G3 races on her last two starts, latterly finishing fourth in the Firth Of Clyde Stakes at Ayr in September.
There is royal representation courtesy of the Richard Hughes-trained Candle Of Hope. The daughter of Cable Bay won two of her five starts last year, with her best effort coming when third in the Listed Denford Stakes at Newbury.
Kempton Park scorer Tenjin makes his debut for John Ryan after being bought out of Marco Botti’s yard last month.
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