Galileo gunning for another Group 1

Coolmore champion Galileo can sire another Group 1 winner when his colt Galileo’s Galaxy runs in the South African Cape Guineas at Kenilworth on Saturday.  He is trained by Charles Laird for Marcus Jooste and goes into the classic as one of the favourites.

Galileo’s Galaxy (3c Galileo – Star Affair by Star Way) won on debut at Clairwood in July defeating subsequent G3 winner Bulsara.  Returning home to Turffontein, he won again in allowance company before losing his unbeaten record in the G2 Dingaans.  Laird wasn’t at all disappointed with the length loss at his first try in Group company when beaten by stablemate Curved Ball (Fastnet Rock).

“Curved Ball could be something out of the ordinary,” Laird said.  “We still don’t known how good he is.  So what Galileo’s Galaxy did in that race was exceptional.  And he will be suited by the 1600m at Kenilworth.”

Galileo’s Galaxy will settle close to the pace and, with Anton Marcus aboard, is likely to be heavily involved at the finish.

Galileo’s Galaxy was a $550,000 buy out of the Coolmore draft at the 2008 Inglis Easter yearling sale.  His dam is one of three stakes winners from grand producer The Grin (Grosvenor).

Star Affair was a G2 winner of the Travis Stakes in New Zealand.  Her half-sister The Jewel (O’Reilly) was Champion Kiwi 3YO in 2002-03 and her half-brother The One (O’Reilly) was a G3 winner of the VRC Danehill Stakes at Flemington before continuing his career in Hong Kong.

The Cape Guineas is scheduled for 12.25am on Sunday morning (AEDT).

GALILEO has another candidate for the South African classics this season in the shape of Sidera.  She is trained by Mick de Kock and was a Listed winner of the Starling Stakes last month.

Sidera (3f Galileo – Freja by Danehill) was a $45,000 buy from Think Big Stud at the 2008 Inglis Classic yearling sale.  She is raced by John Koster who stands champion sire Captain Al and Group 1 winner Jay Peg at Klawervlei Stud in the Westeern Cape.

Sidera could develop into an Oaks candidate this season.  She is by Coolmore’s champion sire Galileo and her dam won over 2000m.  Second dam Royal Tiara (Blanco) was a G1 winner of the Auckland Cup.