Denton Hall News

Dods admits: 'We're into the unknown with Azure Blue in the Nunthorpe but she's earned her chance'

MICHAEL Dods admits it’s a case of “going into the unknown” with stable star Azure Blue in the top-class Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at the York Festival next Friday.

But the in-form County Durham trainer, who has as good a recent record as anyone in the five-furlong Group One sprint on The Knavesmire, adds: “She’s in great shape and she deserves her chance.”

Dods famously won back-to-back Nunthorpe’s with the flying Mecca’s Angel in 2015 and 2016. Mabs Cross was then beaten a whisker in the race in 2018, and Que Amoro gave the mighty Battaash a scare in 2020.

Now, the Denton Hall handler hopes Azure Blue can bounce back from a disappointing run when sixth behind Shaquille in the Pertemps Network July Cup Stakes – her first attempt at a Group One race – at Newmarket last month.

Before that, the four-year-old filly had been half a length too good for Highfield Princess in the Group 2 Duke of York Clipper Stakes at York in May, having opened her account for 2023 in a listed race at Newmarket.

Those wins were over six furlongs and the Nunthorpe is a furlong less, so it remains to be seen whether Azure Blue has the speed to win a Group One at the minimum trip.

“She’s really well but this is a highly competitive Group One over five furlongs, so we’re going into the unknown,” said Dods.

“The ground was sticky in the July Cup last time and she didn’t perform, but she’s come home fine, and we hope she bounces back. She might be outpaced over five, or she might travel - we’ll find out on Friday.

“I’m sure she’ll have the speed for five furlongs at some stage of her career. Whether she’s got it yet remains to be seen. She’s always a strong traveller in her races, and this is the Nunthorpe, at York, so the owners were keen to go there and so were we.  

“I do think she’ll end up coming back to five in the future, but whether we’re a bit quick, and whether she’s not ready for it, I couldn’t say. That said, we’ve got her in great shape, and she deserves a chance.”

Owners Anne Elliott and Peter Appleton also owned Que Amoro and Dods added: “They’ve been very lucky to get another filly as good, and probably better than Que Amoro. It’s a dream for them and they’re enjoying every second of it.”

With Julie Camacho’s Shaquille waiting for the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock in September, reigning Nunthorpe champion, Highfield Princess, the fairytale horse trained at Malton by John Quinn, looks the one they all have to beat again.

“I thought Highfield Princess was very impressive at Goodwood last time. The jockey was able to put her where he wanted, and I think she’s gone forward big time from the York race when we finished in front of her,” conceded Dods.

Nevertheless, Azure Blue has made giant strides since coming third in her racecourse debut in a Class 4 race at Redcar.

“She’s a big filly and was a bit keen as a two-year-old. Now she’s grown up, she’s just keep improving. She’s better when she gets in behind something and she’s jumping better in her races now. If she gets in behind something, that’s the way she needs to be ridden.

“Whatever happens next Friday, we know she’s very good and there’s a lot to look forward to.”

Assistant trainer Chloe Dods, who rides Azure Blue in her work, added: "She's not the easiest ride because she has a big stride and wants to get on with it, but she's working well."

• Picture: Azure Blue having a change of scenery in a field at Denton Hall this morning with Daisy Hunter