Barney Roy takes aim at a treble

Dubai - The charge of Charlie Appleby contests the Group 1 Preis von Europa on Saturday

Godolphin's Barney Roy will be eyeing a treble and back-to-back Group 1 wins when he contests the Preis von Europa in Cologne, Germany, on Saturday.
The charge of Charlie Appleby, the six-year-old has been in scintillating form this season, having racked up two Group 1 winners already and will look to go one better over stablemate Ghaiyyath, who too has two victories.
The mount of William Buick, Barney Roy had triumphed in the Jebel Hatta during the Dubai World Cup Carnival in March, before coming out victorious in the Grosser Dallmayr-Preis in Munich, last time out.
That aside, Barney Roy also has a Group 2 win in the Al Rashidiya, also during the Carnival, as well as a third-place finish in the Group 1 Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The son of Excelebration, Barney Roy makes the step up in trip and a victory will swell his career tally to four Group 1 prizes and his eighth from 15 starts.
It could also usher in Godolphin's 12th Group 1 winner this season.
"We were delighted with Barney Roy in the Grosser Dallmayr-Preis, when he won on ground that was softer than ideal," said Appleby, who will be aiming for a fourth Group 1 winner in this race.
The racing operation have won it thrice previously with Emirati handler Saeed bin Suroor combining with famed Italian jockey Frankie Dettori, to triumph with Kutub in 2001, Mamool in 2003 and Campanologist in 2011.
"He showed all the signs in that race that a mile and a half will be to his liking. If you look at his runs out in Dubai this year, and even the Prince Of Wales's Stakes, he was putting in his best work in the closing stages. If he does get the trip, we know that he is the class horse in the race," added the British handler.
Elsewhere, in Deauville, France, French 2000 Guineas winner Victor Ludorum will look to bounce back from the third-place finish in the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club, when he competes in the Group 2 Prix Guillaume D'Ornano.
james@khaleejtimes.com