Champion trip shouldn't hinder Poet's Voice - Crisford

Poet's Voice (right) will race beyond for a mile for the first time on Saturday

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)  Champion trip shouldn't hinder Poet's - Crisford
 By Racing Post Staff 11:49AM 15 OCT 2010 POET'S VOICE will step up to 1m2f for the first time as he bids to give Godolphin their first victory in the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes, with connections hopeful that the longer trip will not prevent Dubawi landing consecutive Group 1 victories.

RELATED LINKS Champion card Champion betting Dewhurst card Dewhurst betting  The three-year-old was supplemented for the race after his nose defeat of Rip Van Winkle in the Sony-backed Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot, and will be racing beyond a mile for the first time. However, racing manager Simom Crisford believes the colt should be able to handle the extra distance.

Speaking on At The Races, Crisford said: "We're not over confident, but this is a necessary step as he stays in training next year and we need to find out if he stays the trip.

"Having said that, he's been very switched off at home and at Ascot and Salisbury, which is in his favour, and on paper there's no reason why he shouldn't stay. If he's good enough the trip should be no problem."

Crisford played down the chance of the unbeaten Saamidd, who will take on the top-class pair of Frankel and Dream Ahead in the Dubai Dewhurst.

He said: "We can't wait, it's a massive race. We're chalked up as third favourite and that's realistic. He's still got plenty to prove and is a bit lazy at home. This is going to be a step up and he will have to step up to beat Frankel and Dream Ahead."

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