Future Empire can shine in Solario Stakes

Future Empire impressed when winning on debut and can take the step up into Group 3 company in his stride to land the Solario Stakes at Sandown today (2.40).

The Saeed Bin Suroor trained colt travelled strongly throughout the 7f contest at Newmarket before showing a good turn of foot to readily beat Invincible Gold by 2 1/2 lengths.

The form of the race has worked out well, with the runner-up going on to score since, along with the third, fourth and eighth home.

However, it is the the manner in which Future Empire went about his business that impressed most and marked the son of New Approach out as an above average type who needed keeping firmly on side.

With the prospect of further improvement assured, Future Empire can take this before going on to even better things.

The form horse of this race and obvious danger is the Hugo Palmer trained Aktabantay.

The son of Oasis Dream is yet to finish out of the first two in four starts, and after winning his maiden at Newcastle with the minimum of fuss, posted a solid effort last time out when runner-up to Estidhkaar in the Group 2 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket.

Although beaten 4 1/2 lengths, the winner is held in very high regard by the Richard Hannon team and Akabantay is clearly going the right way.

Whether Akabantay has the scope of Future Empire, is another matter, but off an official rating of 104 he sets the standard in this line-up.

Of the remaining runners, Pallister is the only one that looks capable of causing an upset. The Mark Johnston trained colt shaped well on debut when third at Haydock before landing his next two starts in good style.

The son of Pivotal was then far from disgraced when fifth of eight to the Aidan O’Brien trained Highland Reel in the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood, where he led until being unable to find any extra approaching the final furlong.

This stiffer track may well suit, and Pallister is the most likely to pick up the pieces if the “big two” in the race fail to live up to expectations.