Stardom and Salute The Don headline Subratie’s 2000 Guineas challenge

Today’s 2000 Guineas, featured on a nine-race programme, is set to test the depth and quality of Gary Subratie’s powerful stable. Subratie will saddle the two colts attracting the strongest support, Stardom and Salute The Don, in the $3.75-million Classic this afternoon.

Their rivalry took shape in The Kingston last month. On May 17, Salute The Don appeared to have the race under control, with Ian Spence sending him along in front in keeping with the plan made before the start. Some had viewed Salute The Don mainly as a speed horse, but he looked ready to answer those doubts over seven and a half furlongs, or 1,500 metres. He travelled kindly, dictated the tempo, and still seemed to have enough left as the field turned into the straight.

Stardom, however, was being prepared for a late charge. Subratie had adjusted his equipment after the colt’s dull sixth-place finish in the Prince Consort on April 11, removing the tongue tie and booking Dane Dawkins, who had moved away from Salute The Don to take the ride. Dawkins kept Stardom covered up for seven furlongs, or 1,400 metres, staying inside, conserving ground, and waiting for the colt’s finish.

The two stable companions came together near the final furlong. Salute The Don battled on and would not give way easily, while Stardom, still inexperienced with only three outings behind him, produced a finishing effort that had not been seen from him before. In the closing stride, Stardom got ahead by a half-length. Dawkins’ decision was justified, Subratie’s changes paid off, and Salute The Don was defeated by a horse from his own yard.

That was The Kingston. The 2000 Guineas brings a different assignment, with the distance now stretched to one mile, or 1,600 metres.

Those around Salute The Don will take encouragement from the fact that The Kingston showed he could handle more than sprinting. He has raced six times and has never finished outside the first three. Last time, he carried the pace burden and was caught only late. With champion and current leading rider Raddesh Roman now booked, he may secure the uncontested lead he wants. If that happens, his rivals will have to chase him down.

Stardom’s supporters will argue that The Kingston was only an early sign of what is to come. He has raced just four times and remains a colt still developing his understanding of the game. Once the tongue tie came off, Subratie got a much improved performance. Dawkins rode him with patience and confidence, and the result followed. His breeding points to the mile being within reach, and the way he quickened up the rail suggested a colt capable of performing at Classic level.

As the two main Subratie runners renew battle, other contenders will be waiting for any weakness. God’s Plan, another from the Subratie operation, produced a career-best run when third in The Kingston, completing a sweep of the first three places for the stable. A repeat would put Subratie in position to dominate the trifecta again.

Senor Biscotti, trained by Richard Azan, made notable progress in his latest race when finishing fourth behind the Subratie trio. He also brings the benefit of nine previous starts. Mohanlal, his stablemate, scored comfortably down the straight and should appreciate moving up in distance.

Jason DaCosta also has a runner with the potential to disturb the leading hopes. Eye of the Tiger comes into the 2000 Guineas after an eye-catching maiden victory on May 23, when he won by 7 1/2 lengths in 59.4 for five furlongs, or 1,000 metres, around the bend. His seven-furlong workout in 1:26.3 on Sunday, May 31, points to a horse coming into the race in good order.

Still, the central storyline is an in-house fight. Two colts trained from the same barn, built around contrasting race patterns, will seek one Classic title. Last month, Dawkins sided with Stardom instead of Salute The Don. This afternoon will reveal whether he also picked the 2000 Guineas winner.