I’m backing Eve Johnson Houghton and stable star Zavateri to relish the ‘perfect’ Goodwood test

IN the great schemes of the Flat season Goodwood’s Celebration Mile is not a race that’s going to blow your mind. But for one trainer and jockey Saturday afternoon’s Virgin Bet-sponsored Group 2 – live on ITV4 – is massive. Zavateri has everything set up perfectly for him to strike at his beloved Goodwood Credit: PA Eve Johnson Houghton knows better than anyone her juvenile Group 1 hero ZAVATERI needs to take the prize to play at the top table later in the season. The son of Without Parole has already played a huge part in Johnson Houghton’s career. If successful on Saturday afternoon, he will have banged in a third of the handler’s victories at Group level. The Blewbury trainer currently has 11 Group successes to her name, with three being landed by Zavateri, including last year’s National Stakes. As for jockey Charlie Bishop, he’s fully aware of the impact Zavateri has had on his connections. Bishop told me: “He’s a horse who has enhanced our season this year, as has been shown with some nice two-year-olds that we were sent on the back of what he did. “People have been investing and he’s been a massive part of my career and that of Eve.” Bishop is a rider who doesn’t often get headlines, but he’s an interesting character. Most read in Horse Racing His often pleasant and cheery outlook hides a steeliness and desire to succeed. As someone who has played padel with him within the last few months, I can only say I have feared for the metal mesh sidewalls when shots haven’t gone his way. He likes winning. Zavateri returned to action this season with a perfectly reasonable second in the Greenham at Newbury before a setback meant he missed the 2,000 Guineas. When we eventually saw him again he finished a respectable fifth in the Sussex Stakes over today’s course and distance and the same position in a big field for the 7f City of York just the other day. He kept on nicely then behind Notable Speech, suggesting a mile is more his trip. Bishop continued: “I’m really looking forward to riding Zavateri at Goodwood. “He goes there on the back of a good run in the City of York – that’s only seven days ago, but this looks a perfect fit for him. “He’s a horse that’s very special to me as my second Group 1 winner and he also won two Group 2s last year including at Goodwood in the Vintage Stakes. “We really hope we can get him back on track in a Group 2 with our future sights set on (the Group 1 QEII) Champions Day at Ascot for the backend of the season. “It’s hard to put into words how special Zavateri has been for us – Group 1 winners are very hard to get, so when you get one you really have to appreciate them.” I love a Johnson Houghton interview after a big race, and really hope her pride and joy disposes of Seagulls Eleven, Boiling Point and shock former Sussex hero Qirat. Over at Sandown on Saturday afternoon, all eyes are on youngsters in the Group 3 BetMGM Solario Stakes, a race won in relatively recent years by the likes of To-Agori-Mou, Raven’s Pass, Kingman, Masar, Too Darn Hot and Field of Gold. The latter was ridden superbly by Kieran Shoemark, who tries this time on Ed Walker’s Alfred Wallace, arguably the form horse with a rating of 104 and a fourth in the Acomb to his name. However, he’s had six runs so far and there are some unexposed lurkers, none more so than ROCK MONTREAL, the Godolphin animal who cost 1,000,000gns and won well on debut at Yarmouth. William Buick rides for Roger Varian, and there’s every chance he’s a star in the making as he will improve a bundle for that debut success. Back at Goodwood I just wondered if GALERON might play a part in the 7f Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap. The Charlie Hills inmate is a good loser, having failed to score since September of 2022. Maybe he just doesn’t like putting his head in front, but he’s down to a workable mark of 93 and was second off that rating at Doncaster in October. As most of you know he can also operate at a mile – he was fourth to Chaldean in the 2000 Guineas of 2023 – and it’s worth noting he’s entered up again on Sunday at Goodwood over that trip. I can’t help but chance a few quid each-way on him on Saturday afternoon, but it’s probably madness! Let’s hope Saturday is simply all about Eve! FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here. Comment now