Global Weekly Review: Dual hemisphere success raises Classic hopes

It is a good day at the office when two serious Classic contenders are unearthed in the same 24 hours - but that is precisely the situation Godolphin found itself in last Saturday.

And for it to occur in different hemispheres for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed's global stable was also especially satisfying.

Dealing with the double chronologically, the John O'Shea-trained Impending emerged as the logical replacement for Astern in the G1 Caulfield Guineas on October 8 when notching a decisive win in the G2 Stan Fox Stakes at Rosehill, Sydney.

While, several hours later, the Hugo Palmer-trained Best Of Days looked particularly good in winning the G2 Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket (UK) in the Godolphin royal blue colours.

An impressively athletic individual, he is now being spoken of as Derby material. He is by Azamour, a King George winner, out of a High Chaparral mare, so there should be no doubts about his getting the Derby trip next year.

Of course, Impending's upcoming Classic test in Melbourne is less than two weeks away but the fact that he is excelling in prep races is very relevant. With Astern off-colour, Impending, who O'Shea has always rated highly, was poised and ready to step in on Saturday.

The trip to Melbourne can be an ordeal for a young horse, but Impending is peaking at just the right time and should run a great race over the one mile of the Guineas.

John Ferguson, Godolphin's chief executive and racing manager, was delighted with the global results at the weekend. "It is important that we have strong contenders for the biggest races worldwide - and that we can win our share. Impending looks a really good type and gives us a great chance of winning a Classic in Australia.

"Here in the UK, I am due to have a discussion with Hugo Palmer this week about Best Of Days's future program.

"We will decide whether Best Of Days should have another race this season - he is in the G1 Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster - or whether he should have a long break before being prepared for one of the Derby trials next year," he added.

Best Of Days is out of the German one-mile Listed winner Baisse, who is a half-sister to Azmeel, who was a capable three-year-old.