Coroebus to miss Baaeed clash in Sussex Stakes

Classic hero Coroebus will not take on the brilliant Baaeed in the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on Wednesday after suffering a setback.

The pair looked set for a mouthwatering clash in the midweek highlight, with the unbeaten Baaeed having to concede 8lb to Coroebus, winner of the 2000 Guineas and the St James’s Palace Stakes.

But owners Godolphin confirmed on Monday morning that Coroebus would not head for the Sussex Downs, posting on Twitter: “Unfortunately Coroebus will not run in this week’s Sussex Stakes @Goodwood_Races.

We've seen some vintage races this century.

🏇 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗹 (2011)
🏇 𝗚𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘁'𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘄𝗮𝘆 (2000)
🏇 𝗥𝗶𝗽 𝗩𝗮𝗻 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗹𝗲 (2009)
🏇 𝗛𝗲𝗻𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 (2008)
🏇 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗳𝘀 (2010)

What's your favourite Sussex Stakes memory? 🏆 pic.twitter.com/1FVt9Uepz0

— Coral (@Coral) July 27, 2022

“He was lame in his box this morning and after examination, was found to have an abscess in his left hind pastern. This is being treated and he will now target the Prix Jacques le Marois.”

Having already been odds-on, Baaeed is now just 1/5 with Coral to make it nine from nine against six rivals.

Coral’s David Stevens said: “Baaeed was already a red-hot favourite to extend his unbeaten run to nine in Wednesday’s Sussex Stakes, and in the absence of his leading market rival, the Shadwell colt has shortened to 1/5 for the Group One prize.”

Last year’s winner Alcohol Free (10/1) returns to defend her crown for Andrew Balding off the back of winning the July Cup at Newmarket, while Aidan O’Brien saddles Breeders’ Cup hero Order Of Australia (11/1), who was last seen registering back-to-back wins in the Group Two Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh.

Japanese hopes are carried by 40/1 outsider Bathrat Leon, who makes his first competitive appearance since causing a shock in the Godolphin Mile on Dubai World Cup night at Meydan in March.

In the absence of Coroebus, Charlie Appleby relies on 14/1 shot Modern Games, with 33/1 chances Chindit (Richard Hannon) and Angel Bleu (Ralph Beckett) completing the field.