Alparslan announced himself as a serious prospect for the 2000 Guineas after delivering a strong performance at Newbury in the Greenham Stakes, a race that traditionally serves as a key trial for the classic mile. The field was headlined by two high‑profile runners: Aidan O'Brien’s Albert Einstein, a proven Group One performer, and Eve Johnson Houghton’s Zavateri, another Group One winner. Despite the star power around him, Karl Burke’s Alparslan, who had only a modest win in a valuable Irish sales race as a two‑year‑old and a second‑place finish behind Zavateri in the Dewhurst, was allowed to dictate the pace from the front under the guidance of jockey Clifford Lee.
Both Albert Einstein and Zavateri made early moves that suggested they might overtake the leader, but Alparslan, starting at 9‑1, held on with a clear advantage, crossing the finish line a length ahead of Zavateri, who recovered from a troubled run to finish second. The victory was a clear statement that Alparslan could compete with the very best of his generation. After the race, trainer Karl Burke explained his optimism: "We came into this race under the radar, but Alparslan was always expected to improve after his three starts last year.
Trials are always a bit of a guessing game, yet he beat the two top‑rated horses today, which tells us a lot." He added that the colt had struggled with the undulating terrain at Newmarket during the Dewhurst, a factor that may have been due to his immaturity as a two‑year‑old. "He came back sore after that run, so the track itself might not be the issue, but it does raise a question mark about his suitability for different surfaces," Burke said. Burke also commented on Alparslan’s physical attributes, noting that the horse is a large, somewhat ungainly colt.
"Whether he enjoys turning a bend at Longchamp is uncertain, but the Curragh could suit him well, especially after his win there," he said. He believes the colt still has time to contest both the English and Irish Guineas if connections choose to pursue that route.
"There is another gear in him, and the mile distance is the real test. Today he answered about ninety percent of that question for me, which gives me great hope for the future," Burke concluded. Zavateri, meanwhile, continued to demonstrate why she was one of the standout performers of the previous season.
After an unbeaten run that was only broken by a fourth‑place finish in the Dewhurst, she produced a respectable second in the Greenham, keeping her reputation intact. Trainer Eve Johnson Houghton praised her effort, saying, "She ran a lovely race and was a bit fresh.
The slow pace didn’t give her much to work with, but Ryan (Moore) positioned Albert Einstein well and kept her in a comfortable pocket. She has clearly improved over the winter and looks promising for the Guineas. We will decide next week which classic to target; France is unlikely, so it will probably be either the English or Irish version." Albert Einstein, who finished third, left his connections at Ballydoyle with a different set of considerations. Coolmore representative Kevin Buckley noted, "The race suited him better today and he ran a creditable effort in a muddling contest.
We’ll discuss the options with Aidan and the owners and decide the best route. Ryan didn’t want to commit until he spoke with Aidan, so we still have flexibility. He was still in the mix and seemed happier on this surface, which gives us valuable information as we plan his campaign." In other news from Newbury, Jack Channon’s filly Sukanya delivered a stunning performance in the Dubai Duty Free Stakes, overturning the classic hopes of Touleen.
Sukanya, who had previously shown promise with a fourth place in a Group Three at Goodwood and a runner‑up in a Listed race at Leopardstown, had seemed limited after a lackluster finish in the Rockfel Stakes. Sent out at 16‑1, she was positioned at the rear by jockey David Probert but surged forward in the final furlong to beat the 5‑4 favourite Touleen, who had been leading under Saffie Osborne. Channon praised his filly, saying, "She’s a very good filly with high class.
My two‑year‑olds were behind her last year, and she consistently performed well against top fillies. She was unlucky in the Prestige at Goodwood and narrowly missed out in the Rockfel, but she has a devilish turn of foot and proved her merit today. We’ll aim her at the big races now, possibly the Irish 1,000 Guineas, though we’re open to Newmarket if the opportunity arises." Touleen’s trainer Owen Burrows was more measured: "She didn’t quicken as I expected, perhaps due to rustiness.
She was the last to finish and seemed content, so I’m not overly concerned. If she recovers well, the Guineas remain an option, but she didn’t display the speed she showed earlier in the season." The weekend also featured a dramatic win for Karl Burke and jockey Clifford Lee aboard Convergent in the John Porter Stakes, also known as the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes. The race, originally expected to feature Constitution Hill, turned into a showcase for Convergent after the star was withdrawn.
Lee, who had recently returned to riding after a serious quad‑bike accident that left him in intensive care, described the victory as a personal triumph: "When I got the all‑clear and was back in the saddle, rides like this are exactly why we work so hard. The horse had the engine to get us out of trouble, and he settled beautifully.
I’m delighted for Karl and the whole team; this could be a stepping stone to a Classic win." Burke sees the win as a gateway to elite company, targeting the Coronation Cup at Epsom and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot later in the summer. "If we keep him sound and progressing, I’m convinced there’s a Group One in his future. He could become the best we’ve had over these distances, perhaps even surpassing Al Qareem, who excelled over a mile and a half.
The King George at Ascot would be fantastic for him," Burke said. Overall, the Greenham Stakes and accompanying races at Newbury provided a rich tapestry of storylines: a rising star in Alparslan, a resilient Group One performer in Zavateri, a classic‑contending filly in Sukanya, and a comeback narrative for jockey Clifford Lee. These developments set the stage for an exciting classic season across England and Ireland, with trainers and owners now weighing their options for the 2000 and 1000 Guineas, the Coronation Cup, and the King George.
The performances also underline the importance of trial races in shaping the strategies of top trainers as they map out the paths to the season’s most prestigious events.