Lockinge Stakes: Baaeed expected to be in fine form as William Haggas gets excited about season ahead for unbeaten star | Racing News

William Haggas expects Baaeed to be firing on all cylinders as he bids to extend his long unbeaten run in Saturday’s Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.

The four-year-old won all six of his starts last season, progressing quickly through the ranks from winning his maiden to ending the campaign with victory in the Group One QEII Stakes at Ascot.

Widely viewed as one of the best horses in the world, Baaeed puts his reputation on the line against eight classy rivals, including Saeed bin Suroor’s Real World and the Aidan O’Brien-trainer Mother Earth.

Despite the obvious pressure on his and Baaeed’s shoulders, Haggas has remained calm, aided by an uninterrupted preparation.

Speaking to Newbury, Haggas said: “I’ve been really happy with Baaeed’s preparation this Spring, everything has gone according to plan. We’ve been planning the Lockinge for some time now and so far we haven’t had a blip.

“The track will be perfect for him, that’s fine.

“This is the first race of a long season but it’s a perfect race to start. We’ve obviously got some great ambitions for the season but we’d like to get the first hurdle out of the way and see where we go.

“My interest is what his best distance is going to be because he’s bred to get further.

“Saturday will be interesting because we can see where we are and if Jim [Crowley, jockey] feels it’s time to go further then we’ve got him in the Prince Of Wales’s and we’ll go there, but if he wants to stick at a mile, which I think is likely, then that programme is pretty obvious.

“It’s all systems go.”

‘He’s an absolute gentleman’

It is not only Baaeed’s obvious talent on the track that has endeared him to the team at Newmarket’s Somerville Lodge. Ricky Hall, Baaeed’s groom, says the colt is a model student at home.

He said: “I’ve ridden him every day for the last two years now and he’s an absolute pleasure to deal with. There’s not been anything he’s done wrong… yet!

“He’s an absolute gentleman and he looks after you.

“The temperament he’s got is very professional and it’s hard to find one that’s got the ability and the temperament.

“I’ll be there at the Lockinge, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”