Royal Ascot day 5: Frankie Dettori ed Undrafted nelle Diamond Jubilee, Cristian Demuro primo centro ad Ascot nelle Chesham Stakes
Undrafted and Frankie Dettori (13) run down Australia’s Brazen Beau
PICTURE: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)
Undrafted a diamond for Dettori and Ward
Report: Royal Ascot, Saturday, Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Group 1) 6f, 4yo+
THE Frankie Dettori renaissance continued as Undrafted struck at 14-1 for the star rider and US trainer Wesley Ward. And it was a case of America beating Australia as the winner thwarted favouriteBrazen Beau, who raced alone on the stands’ side under Craig Williams.
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The pair finished clear of Astaire in third sport with Music Master back in fourth.
It was the third victory of the week for Dettori and second for Ward on the back of Acapulco’s Queen Mary success on Wednesday and a sixth success at the meeting overall for the California-based trainer, who away from the track has had a difficult week with his Denae daughter falling ill and he was understandably quite emotional in the winner’s circle.
“We were in Frimley Park Hospital all night as my daughter had the touch of the Bell’s palsy.
“It means so much, she’s really special and especially for this little girl she really wanted to come out here and we were in hospital all night. Derrick Smith sent over a brilliant doctor but it didn’t look like we were going to make it. But this was such a big race, such a big win. It tops all the wins including Breeders’ Cups and everything else. Frankie has got the touch, he’s incredible.”
The five-year-old winner hadn’t raced at Ascot before but he was fourth behind Slade Power in last year’s July Cup and had clearly come on for that experience as Dettori came with a withering late burst on the far side of the track just when it looked like Brazen Beau was getting up with his solo run away from the rest of the field. It was a bold effort from the 7-2 joint market leader but not quite enough.
As for Dettori, things continue on the up for two-time Derby-winning jockey. This was his 52nd winner at the royal meeting and not surprisingly it was a pretty popular result with the crowd.
“Unbelievable,” said Dettori afterwards. “Wesley is a good friend and has been a great supporter of me so to win this race for him is great. I didn’t want to kick too soon and it proved the right thing to do.”
Interception provided David Lanigan with his first Royal Ascot winner
PICTURE: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)
First royal win for Lanigan in Wokingham
Report: Royal Ascot, Saturday, Wokingham Stakes 6f 3yo+
INTERCEPTION provided David Lanigan with his first Royal Ascot winner as the five-year-old mare flew home under George Baker at odds of 10-1 after being heavily backed before the race.
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There was drama before the start after leading fancy Huntsmans Close had to be a withdrawn after smashing through the running rails before the start.
The field split in to two shortly after the off with Baker happy to settle his mount towards the rear of the group who stayed towards the centre of the track.
Over on the far side, Suzi’s Connoisseur raced as the overall leader under Oisin Murphy. Heading into the final two furlongs, Baker started to make his move with French raider Robert Le Diable and Damien Oliver marking him closely.
The duo matched strides as they sweeped past leader Lancelot Du Luc racing in to the final half furlong before Interception came out a length and a quarter on top at the line.
This will be a day to remember for Lanigan who was previously assistant trainer to the late Sir Henry Cecil. After the race he said: “It’s great for [owners] the Nielsens who have been a huge support throughout my whole career. This first win means a lot.”
“We thought about this race last year after she ran well at Haydock and since then she has really strengthened up, we are really pleased.”
Baker added: “It’s a great training performance, to get a mare to do that is amazing.”
Snow Sky got Sir Michael Stoute off the mark in the Hardwicke
PICTURE: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)
Stoute gets off the mark as Snow Sky delivers
Report: Royal Ascot, Saturday, Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2) 1m4f 4yo+
SIR MICHAEL STOUTE had to wait until the last day of Royal Ascot to post his first winner of the week as Snow Sky made all to land the Hardwicke Stakes under a brilliant ride from Pat Smullen.
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It had been torrid week for the former champion trainer with three runners being pulled up, including the ill-fated Stravagante, who sustained a fatal injury on Friday in the King Edward VII Stakes.
The Hardwicke though has been a race that Stoute has made his own over the years, having won it nine times in total, including last year with Telescope. He was sent of the well backed 6-4 favourite this year, but could not follow up his heroics of twelve months ago, after fading inside the final furlong.
Smullen took it up from the off, with Ryan Moore tracking the leader on Telescope. As the race began to unfold Smullen was able to pour on the pressure which forced the other runners to quicken in the hope of catching the front-running Snow Sky.
As the field started to get on terms with the son of Nayef, he found another level and was able to pull away to take the race by an impressive three and a half lengths with Eagle Top running on well for second.
Teddy Grimthorpe, the owner’s racing manager said: “I was chuffed to bits. He got into a great rhythm and then started to stretch them. The way he has won today I think it was a pretty exceptional performance.”
Stoute said: “I thought Telescope was our best chance in the race but Ryan said that he thought the ground was too firm for him.
“Snow Sky is a very progressive horse and I was really impressed the way he settled it off the home turn. I thought he was going to be a Melbourne Cup horse so he’s not entered in the King George, but we’ll have to have a think now. He’s won a few quid today.”
Smullen added: “The plan was to make it to the three pole and wind it up from there. I was worried he might get picked off by a horse with a turn of foot but I didn’t realise I was on a horse that was so good himself.”
Suits You (left) just holds off the Ryan Moore-ridden Ballydoyle (right)
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
Moore denied as Suits You strikes for France
Report: Royal Ascot, Saturday, Chesham Stakes (Listed) 7f, 2yo
IT LOOKED like it was going to be the perfect start for Ryan Moore in his quest for a tenth win at the meeting, but Suits You, trained by Eoghan O’Neill in France, just held off the 7-4 favourite Ballydoyle, getting the result in a photo-finish.
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Sixth Sense, a debut winner at Maisons-Laffitte, won in the hands of Cristian Demuro at odds of 14-1. The third home, Pricewise tip Sixth Sense, looked like he was going to hold on to his lead, but both the first and second ran him down close home.
This result is a tremendous success for O’Neill, who left behind a successful training base in Britain in 2009 to set up shop in Normandy, and the move seems to be paying off for the Irishman.
O’Neill’s wife Melissa, who owns the son of Youmzain along with Adam Solomon, said: “We came here for a day out, the kids had some time off school and this is amazing.”
The winning trainer was equally thrilled. “It’s really lovely,” he said. “It’s our first Royal Ascot winner so it’s great. We kept him for this race. He’s by Youmzain so he’s very smart and it’s just great to win. We will probably go for a Listed race in France then come back to the UK for the Royal Lodge.”
Suits You was an easy winner on debut and he looks to have a nice future ahead of him. He clearly relished the fast ground and was given a well-judged ride by Demuro, who waited with his mount before challenging close home.
“He was very green,” said the beaming rider. “When he passed the horses he stopped and it looked like Ryan had got up. It’s amazing, unbelievable.”
Moore had used up a bit more petrol on Ballydoyle than the winner when they both came to challenge Sixth Sense in the final 100 yards. Aidan O’Brien’s filly may well need a bit further on ground as lively as this, but she looks a smashing type, nonetheless.
Stravagante (striped cap) winning at Epsom on Derby day
PICTURE: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)
Stravagante Ascot injury proves fatal
STRAVAGANTE has lost his fight for life after surgery was unable to save him from an injury suffered in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot on Friday.
Sent off favourite, Stravagante, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, was pulled up sharply by jockey Frankie Dettori and the fracture to his cannonbone was worse than initial X-rays showed.
Stravagante was wearing the colours of Sheikh Joaan’s Al Shaqab Racing for the first time after a share in the three-year-old was purchased from Michael Tabor, who retained a share in the son of Rip Van Winkle.
Harry Herbert, racing manager for Al Shaqab, said on Saturday: “It’s not good I’m afraid, they couldn’t save him. The horse was stabilised very, very quickly on the course and taken to Newmarket where everything was done. But the injury was too bad.
“The horse was very brave. It’s very, very sad, a shocker. one of those awful things. Frankie came to see the Sheikh and was too upset to chat about it. It’s the worst part of being involved in racing and one feels most for those in Sir Michael’s yard.”
Third behind subsequent Derby runner-up Jack Hobbs at Sandown in April, Stravagante landed a valuable handicap at Epsom before tackling the King Edward VII Stakes won by Balios.
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GOING: GOOD TO FIRM (Firm in places; Stands’ side 9.2, Centre 9.1, Far side 9.0, Round 8.4). Weather conditions:Humid and Showers.
STALLS: Straight course – Centre; Round course – Inside
2:30 - Chesham Stakes (Listed Race)7f, Class 1, £34,026.00 1 Suits You 14/1 12 ran Distances: shd, 1¼l, 2¾l Jockey: Cristian Demuro WIN £16.80 PL £4.40, £1.30, £3.00 |
3:05 - Wolferton Handicap (Listed Race)1m2f, Class 1, £39,697.00 1 Mahsoob 7/4F NR: Ayrad (IRE), Dick Doughtywylie,Ocean Tempest 13 ran Distances: ½l, hd, hd Jockey: Paul Hanagan WIN £2.80 PL £1.50, £4.10, £4.90 RULE 4: Ocean Tempest was withdrawn. Price at time of withdrawal 50/1. Rule 4 does not apply. |
3:40 - Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2)1m4f, Class 1, £113,420.00 1 Snow Sky 12/1 7 ran Distances: 3¾l, nse, 3¼l Jockey: Pat Smullen WIN £11.40 PL £3.50, £1.90 |
4:20 - Diamond Jubilee Stakes (British Champions Series & Global Sprint Challenge) (Group 1)6f, Class 1, £297,727.50 1 Undrafted 14/1 15 ran Distances: ½l, 1¾l, 1¼l Jockey: Frankie Dettori WIN £17.40 PL £3.80, £2.00, £7.30 |
5:00 - Wokingham Stakes (Heritage Handicap)6f, Class 2, £108,937.50 1 Interception 10/1 NR: Dutch Masterpiece, Huntsmans Close, Zarwaan 25 ran Distances: 1¼l, 1l, ¾l Jockey: George Baker WIN £13.60 PL £3.10, £3.50, £7.30, £15.10 RULE 4: Huntsmans Close was withdrawn. Price at time of withdrawal 8/1. Rule 4 applies to bets struck at board prices prior to withdrawal but not to SP bets – deduction 10p in the pound. New market formed. |
5:35 - Queen Alexandra Stakes2m5½f, Class 2, £37,350.00 1 Oriental Fox 4/1 NR: Brave Richard (IRE), Le Maitre Chat (USA), Rawaki (IRE), Vif Argent(FR) 10 ran Distances: 7l, ½l, 2½l Jockey: Joe Fanning WIN £5.90 PL £1.60, £5.10, £2.90 |
