Mahogony, Double Crown ready for 2000 Guineas – trainer

Trainer Ian Parsard says he is quietly confident that his charges MAHOGANY and DOUBLE CROWN, will put on an excellent showing in Sunday's 46th running of the 2000 Guineas for colts and geldings at Caymanas Park.

MAHOGANY is the winner of four races and is considered the better of the two Parsard-trained horses and is also the main danger to the ante-post favourite WOW WOW.

Parsard, who is gunning for his first Classic win, said that both horses are fit and ready to put on a good showing on Sunday.

"I think our chances are reasonable because we have two good horses," said Parsard.

Stiff competition

"Both of them are going into the race in pretty good condition, but there is going to be stiff competition particularly from WOW WOW, who all of us have to beat, but my two horses are coming to run, and so we keep our fingers crossed," he said.

"I think going a mile and based on what they have done so far, I am pretty confident that both of them will get the distance," Parsard added.

MAHOGANY, who will be ridden by Dane Dawkins, will go into the race with a solid chance based on his recent performances at the races.

The big chestnut gelding is coming off an impressive victory in his last race in a Restricted Stakes contest over five and a half furlongs. However, this is the first time that he will be running the Guineas distance of a mile.

DOUBLE CROWN, who will be partnered by former champion jockey Omar Walker, was beaten by NIPSTER in his last race over six and a half furlongs on July 5.

Parsard added that MAHOGANY has had a few setbacks in training recently, but despite this, he remains positive that he will be in the top three come Sunday.

"MAHOGANY would be the better of the two on paper," said Parsard. "Both of them are healthy, and both of them are now happy."

"Unfortunately for MAHOGANY, we saved his last gallop for (Monday), and the track was in a deplorable condition because of rain on Sunday afternoon. We couldn't do what we wanted to do, but I think he should be okay to give of his best come Sunday," Parsard said.