Super Sprint temptation for Johnson Houghton with Havana Hurricane

Eve Johnson Houghton is “slightly leaning” towards the idea of running Windsor Castle winner Hurricane Havana in the Weatherbys Super Sprint Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

The Havana Gold colt was a smart winner at the Royal meeting, and although he earns himself a 5lb penalty for that Listed success he would still run under a relative feather weight at the weekend.

He was purchased for just 9,000 guineas and as the conditions of the Super Sprint reward cheaply purchased horses, the £250,000 feature looks a tempting option and may prove more so than the Molecomb Stakes alternative also under consideration.

“We’re slightly leaning towards the Super Sprint now, but it hasn’t been confirmed,” said Johnson Houghton.

“He’s doing very well, he came out of Ascot in very good form.

“We had been discussing the Molecomb, but the Super Sprint is tempting and the prize-money is very good.

“He’ll do a bit of work tomorrow and we’ll take it from there.”

Also entered is Rod Millman and Middleham Park Racing’s Anthelia, fifth when beaten two lengths in the Listed Empress Stakes at Newmarket last month and three times a winner prior to that.

Millman said: “I thought she ran quite well at Newmarket last time and all being well the plan is to run on Saturday.

“It’s a competitive race, it always is, and a lot depends on where you’re drawn and who you’re following.

“I wouldn’t want too much rain because she’s got a very low action. We’ve got other horses entered on Saturday that want cut, but she doesn’t.

“There’s 1lb between us and Eve Johnson Houghton’s horse on handicap ratings, because we’re 94 and we’re getting 5lb him, so we’re only 1lb wrong.

“She’s been a very good horse for us so far and hopefully she can continue to be.”

Other horses prominent in the market are Karl Burke’s Ali Shuffle, Richard Hughes’ Our Cody and Richard Fahey’s Cotai Belle.