Connections of Barathea Guest are considering a tilt at the French 2000 Guineas, it emerged today.
The George Margarson-trained colt defeated last season's leading juvenile Distant Music by a head in the Lane's End Greenham Stakes at Newmarket on Tuesday to earn a 5-1 quote from Coral for the Sagitta 2000 Guineas back at the Rowley Mile on May 6.
'His line is the English Guineas and we may supplement him for the French Guineas (run eight days later) followed by the St James's Palace Stakes,' Margarson said this morning.
'He'll then be given a summer break before coming back for an autumn campaign with the Champion Stakes his target. I think he's that class of horse.'
Barathea Guest holds an entry in the Vodafone Derby but is unlikely to run in the premier Classic.
'He's in the Derby but that might be pushing his stamina,' His Newmarket trainer said. 'I think a mile and a quarter will be his maximum even though he does settle tremendously well.
'But there is a £800,000 pot of gold at Epsom to consider.'
Barathea Guest has taken his Newmarket race well.
'He's come out of it really good,' Margarson revealed. 'He's eaten up and was led out this morning.
'He'll have a quiet day today - I thought I'd be kind to him - and then it's back to work tomorrow because we've only got two weeks to the Guineas.
'I was kicking myself yesterday for running him over seven furlongs and on ground as good as he wanted.
'But you couldn't ask him to do any more than he did. He dropped out and picked up well and went and did the job and over another furlong would have won quite convincingly.
'My fella' wasn't fit and had a good blow afterwards.
'The runner-up looked fitter than mine in the paddock beforehand but I suppose Barry Hills has had a bit more experience than me at preparing horses like that.'
