Day four at Royal Ascot
86 for Dark Angel
Promising filly Heredia (3 f ex Nakuti by Mastercraftsman) remains unbeaten after winning yesterday’s Sandringham Handicap (Listed, 1m) at Royal Ascot. The filly survived a stewards’ inquiry when she and rider Sean Levey drifted left just strides from the line, hampering eventual runner-up Zanbaq (Oasis Dream), but the placings remained unaltered. Heredia won by a length, with Crenelle (Kingman) half a length further back in third. The victory secured an 86th individual stakes winner for his Yeomanstown stud stallion Dark Angel (Acclamation). The win was a first at Royal Ascot for Levey. The Richard Hannon-trained Heredia could now head to the Falmouth Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) at Newmarket next month. A homebred for St Albans Bloodstock, Heredia is out of Group 3 winner Nakuti (Mastercraftsman).
Meditate Guineas favourite after Albany win
Aidan O’Brien trained his second winner as Ryan Moore rode his first when Meditate (2 f No Nay Never – Pembina by Dalakhani) stretched her unbeaten record to three with a victory in the Albany Stakes (Gr 3, 6f), the opening race of the penultimate day of the Royal Ascot carnival. Already a winner at Group 3 level, the filly ran prominently throughout the race under Moore, before going on to beat favourite Mawj (Exceed And Excel). “Aidan could not have had her any better,” the winning rider said after the length and three-quarters win. “She’s done everything beautifully. She has got a lovely way of going . She is very straightforward, she has a bit of class and she can improve.” Third place went to Ivory Madonna (Dark Angel) who finished two lengths behind the winner. A €360,000 purchase at Arqana’s Deauville sale, Meditate is rated an 8-1 chance to land next season’s English 1,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1m).
O’Brien closes in on landmark after King Edward VII win
Aidan O’Brien moved to within one win of 900 Group and Grade race successes when Changingoftheguard (3 c Galileo – Lady Lara by Excellent Art) galloped all the way to the line to take out the King Edward VII Stakes (Gr 2, 1m 4f). Fifth in the Epsom Derby (Gr 1, 1m 4f) on his most recent start, the colt was sent to the front by Ryan Moore, as was the case when the pair landed the Chester Vase (Gr 3, 1m 4.5f), and he did just enough to beat Grand Alliance (Churchill) by a short head. Lysander (New Approach) was another four lengths behind in third. Part-owner John Magnier said: “It’s well known and has been well discussed that Galileo’s, they have the will to win and it is coming through with his sons and daughters.” O’Brien added: “We are so privileged to be dealing with these horses. It is a big team-effort between Ballydoyle and Coolmore and we are very privileged to be a part.”
Marquand off the mark
Tom Marquand got off the mark for the week when the Willam Haggas-trained Candleford (Kingman) ran out an easy winner of the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes (1m 4f). Heading into the race off the back of a 219-day absence, Candleford stretched well clear of the field in the closing stages to beat Ajero (Red Jazz) by six lengths. Contact (Gutaifan) was another length and a quarter away in third, with Brilliant Light (Sea The Stars) fourth in the 18-runner handicap. “That was unbelievable,” said Maquand after the runaway success. “William has brought him here without having a run this year. It is a pretty bold thing to do and he clearly knew where this chap was. This week hasn’t gone quite as I dreamed so far, but it is nice to get on the board.” Reflecting on the performance, Marquand continued: “He’s trounced them by six. I thought I had to go and put the race to bed and didn’t expect him to do it quite in that fashion.”
Banner has another Ascot star
Starspangledbanner (Choisir) was again on the mark with a Royal Ascot winner this week when his son Latin Lover claimed the Palace Of Holyrood Stakes (5f) to conclude yesterday’s card. The three-year-old pounced late to beat Nymphadora (No Nay Never), with Peggy Sioux (Oasis Dream) in third. Ridden by Haylie Turner, Latin Lover delivered a first Royal Ascot winner for Harry Eustace, brother of Australian co-trainer David Eustace.