Cover Image 'Stradivarius returning to scale after winning the G1 Qatar Goodwood Cup': Photographer Charlie Crowhurst, courtesy of Goodwood
By Bren O'Brien
Europe's leading stayer Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) stretched his winning streak to eight, fighting hard to claim his third straight victory in the G1 Qatar Goodwood Cup on the first day of the Glorious Goodwood carnival.
In a race run at a strong tempo, with Wells Farhh Go (Ire) (Farhh {GB}) leading the race by some 15 lengths at one stage, the John Gosden-trained 5-year-old proved too strong late in the contest, overwhelming Dee Ex Bee (GB) (Farhh {GB}) and G1 Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}).
The margin was only a neck on the line, but the result didn’t look in any doubt, with jockey Frankie Dettori's premature celebrations making it a closer run thing than it needed to be.
Stradivarius winning the G1 Qatar Goodwood Cup | Image: Charlie Crowhurst
"I may have celebrated ten yards too soon but I knew I had it won," Dettori said after the race.
"What a beautiful little horse. He has the heart of a lion and the people love him. He felt magnificent. With Stradivarius all you have to do is put him in the fight because he'll come out on top."
Adding to his wins in the G2 Yorkshire Cup and G1 Ascot Gold Cup earlier this season, Stradivarius is again in line for the £1 million stayers' bonus should he win the G2 Lonsdale Cup at York.
While his jockey may have gone off a little soon with the celebrations, Gosden was full of praise for Dettori's ride.
Jockey Frankie Dettori
"Frankie followed the right horse in Cross Counter," said Gosden. "He pounced at the right time and then overdid the waving at the crowd. One thing about this horse is when you say you've done enough, that's it, the handbrake goes on and you go over the handlebars."
"He's a gorgeous, unique horse, a clever little street fighter. He was roaring like a bull before he left the yard at 5.15 this morning, telling everyone he was ready. Then he came down here and showed again he is a real pro."
"He's a gorgeous, unique horse, a clever little street fighter. He was roaring like a bull before he left the yard at 5.15 this morning, telling everyone he was ready." - John Gosden
Dee Ex Bee was runner-up for the second straight time to Stradivarius, having been beaten a length by him at Royal Ascot and trainer Mark Johnston, whose own star stayer of the 1990s Double Trigger (Ire) (Ela-Mana-Mou {Ire}), also won the Goodwood Cup on three occasions, said all honours belonged to John Gosden's star.
As for Cross Counter, he is likely bound for a defence of his Melbourne Cup crown after being beaten by Europe's best stayer by two lengths at level weights.
Cross Counter
“We always had it in the back of our minds that we could hopefully go back to the Melbourne Cup with him, and that is still firmly there," trainer Charlie Appleby said post-race.
"We will see how Cross Counter comes out of this race and we might take in the Irish St Leger before returning to Melbourne."
Godolphin 2-Year-Old shines
Appleby had earlier claimed the G2 Qatar Vintage S. in emphatic fashion with the impressive Pinatubo (Shamardal {USA}).
Pinatubo, a last-start winner of the Listed Chesham S. at Royal Ascot, demolished his rivals, defeating Positive (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) by five lengths with another five lengths back to Lope Y Fernandez (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) in third.
Now unbeaten in four starts, Pinatubo is a clear favourite for next year's G1 2000 Guineas, while he is set to step up to Group 1 company next start in Ireland.
Pinatubo demolishing his rivals in the G2 Qatar Vintage S. | Image Charlie Crowhurst
"I'll speak to Sheikh Mohammed but before today we felt the National Stakes would be the target. I see no reason why that wouldn't still be the case," Appleby told reporters.
"We'll take one step at a time but after retiring Blue Point, I'm looking to fill that gap and he might be one of the horses. I see no reason why he shouldn't progress as a 3-year-old."
Pinatubo is bred to stay the eight furlongs of the Guineas with his dam Lava Flow (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}) a winner over 11 furlongs in the Listed Prix de la Seine. His second dam Mount Elbrus (GB) (Barathea {Ire}) was also successful at Listed level at 10 1/2 furlongs and is out of a half-sister to the G1 Prix de Diane winner Rafha (GB) (Kris {GB}), the dam of Invincible Spirit (Ire) and Kodiac (GB).
Sir Dancealot flies Cornerstone stallion's flag
The other Group 2 race on the opening day saw a second consecutive win in the G2 Qatar Lennox S. for Sir Dancealot, who continues to be a banner European horse for Cornerstone Stud's Sir Prancealot (Ire).
The David Elsworth-trained 5-year-old collected his fifth stakes victory and his ninth overall, defeating the James Tate-trained favourite Hey Gaman (GB) (New Approach {Ire}).
His success was timely for Cornerstone Stud, whose principal Sam Hayes was on course to watch the victory. Not only is he about to commence his third season at the South Australian stud, but it was confirmed last week that he will shuttles to Rancho San Miguel in California in 2020.
Sir Dancealot is the sixth and last foal out of Majesty's Dancer (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), a half-sister to the G3 Violet H. and G3 Clairwood Christmas H. winner Dancal (Ire) (Mujadil {USA}). That is the family of G1 Gold Cup and G1 Prix Royal-Oak hero Mr Dinos (Ire) (Desert King {Ire}) and the G3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial S. winner Risk Material (Ire) (Danehill {USA}).
