Subjectivist spoils Stradivarius’ party in Gold Cup
Subjectivist continued his roll toward becoming one of the best stayers around when he easily won the G1 Gold Cup by 5l on Thursday.
Travelling close behind the leaders for much of the 4000 metre race, Subjectivist got the first run as he took command inside the final 800 metres and then the race was over. No one was going to catch the 4-year-old as he raced away from the field with Princess Zoe (Ger) (Jukebox Jury {Ire}) getting the best of the rest when 0.5l ahead of third-placed Spanish Mission (USA) (Noble Mission {GB}) with Stradivarius ending with a fourth place finish. The G1 Melbourne Cup winner Twilight Payment (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) finished ninth.
“We'll look at the Goodwood Cup,” said trainer Mark Johnston. “It is the obvious next race, then we'll have an eye on the wintertime. We can't ignore the money on offer in Dubai and Saudi. If the horse is well after this, we should work the horse back from this race next year."
Subjectivist is a three-quarter brother to Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed Sir Ron Priestley (GB) (Australia {GB}) and Group 2-placed Alba Rose (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}). The colt was the second winner for a Galileo (Ire) son out of a Danehill Dancer (Ire) mare after Loving Dream (GB) (Gleneagles {Ire}) in the G2 Ribblesdale S. one race before.
Loving Dream guts out Ribblesdale victory
It was a first stakes victory for Loving Dream (GB) (Gleneagles {Ire}) on Thursday when she won the G2 Ribblesdale S. by 0.75l.
Racing wide early in the 2800 metre race, as they entered the final 600 metres Robert Havlin asked for her to engage the front runners. She took over 200 metres later and was asked for more to hold off Eshaada (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) in the end. They were 1.75l clear of Nicest (Ire) (American Pharoah {USA}) at the line with that one holding off Divinely (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) by a neck.
“Rab (Robert Havlin, jockey) gave her an absolutely amazing ride - from that draw, it’s unbelievable, and to have a homebred filly, for the stud and all their tireless work, it's just wonderful,” said co-owner Libby Harris. “We've never had a homebred Royal Ascot winner, so that is amazing, and it takes a long time to come. It’s a very, very special moment, it really is.”
Loving Dream is out of the stakes winner and Group 1-placed Kissable (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), who is also the dam of stakes winner and Grade 1-placed Amandine (GB) (Shamardal {USA}).
Back-up plan pays off for Mohaafeth
Skipping the G1 Cazoo Derby earlier in the month was a hard decision for Mohaafeth’s (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) connections but he paid them off for the wait with a win in the G3 Hampton Court S. over 2000 metres.
Toward the rear of the field for much of the running, Mohaafeth made the lead inside the final 400 metres and looked like he’d be home clear. He forced a stewards' inquiry when drifting and impeding Roman Empire (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the final 200 metres but still proved to be much the best with a 1.75l victory when the results went official. Roman Empire was only a head in front of Secret Protector (USA) (War Front {USA}) at the line with Buratino’s (Ire) Snapraeterea (Ire) fourth.
“I never thought it was the wrong decision (to miss the Derby), but obviously I was pleased when Jim came in and said it was absolutely the right decision not to run in the Derby,” said trainer William Haggas. “I think he showed he wasn't actually powering away today, so maybe that's his trip or even shorter, never mind longer.”
The third winner of the week for Frankel (GB), Mohaafeth is out of a half-sister to the dam of multiple Australian Group-placed Dal Harraild (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}). The Shadwell yearling purchase is out of stakes winner French Dressing (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) with two other stakes winners under French Dressing’s Listed winner Foodbroker Fancy (Ire) (Halling {USA}).
Mohaafeth (Ire) as a yearling | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
Perfect Power wins Norfolk
Perfect Power (Ire) (Ardad {Ire}) gave his leading freshman sire a first Group winner on Thursday with a close win in the G2 Norfolk S. over 1000 metres.
Racing on the stands’ side as the field split into two groups, Paul Hanagan kept his mount in the back of the field in the first 700 metres before making his way through the pack to find the lead on his side of the field in the final 100 metres. Go Bears Go (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) was the longtime leader of the far side group and the overall leader before losing that lead in the final few strides. He finished a nose in front of Project Dante (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), who had been on Perfect Power’s side of the field.
“I don't usually get emotional, but I’m probably lucky to be here at all after the accident. It's an amazing feeling just to even get back here, never mind a winner at Royal Ascot. I am pretty lost for words,” said Hanagan, who suffered a broken back last August.
Perfect Power is out of two-time winner Sagely (Ire) (Frozen Power {Ire}), who is a half-sister to the stakes-placed Sagaciously (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}) and from the family of G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Sagamix (Fr) (Linamix {Fr}).
Perfect Power (Ire) as a 2-year-old | Image courtesy of deBurgh Productions
Fastnet Rock son wins King George V
Fastnet Rock was represented in the Royal Ascot winner’s enclosure on Thursday with Surefire’s (GB) victory in the King George V S., a 2400 metre handicap.
The Juddmonte homebred was allowed to gallop at a relaxed pace as he took a spot wide in the rear of midpack. Hector Crouch let him make up some ground on the leaders as they entered the final half of the race with the colt pulled out from his cover to make a run. The colt showed a huge turn of foot to make up multiple lengths before drifting a few paths wide. When straightened out, Surefire was able to take command and was a slim 0.25l winner over Sir Lamorak (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) with Parachute (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) another 0.5l back in third.
“I got him going early as he doesn't have the greatest turn of foot, but he was very impressive today and responded to every urging,” said Crouch. “Surefire is very classy, and he wants to step up in trip again. He could be anything with the way he goes about his business. The sky is pretty much the limit.”
Surefire is out of the stakes winner Modesta (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}), who is also the dam of Group 3 winenr Button Down (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and stakes winner Platitude (GB) (Dansili {GB}). The deep Juddmonte family behind the colt also includes G2 Newcastle Gold Cup winner Disclaimer (GB) (Dansili {GB}), G2 Herbert Power H. winner Amralah (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), multiple New Zealand Group 2 winner Two Illicit (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}), and multiple Australian Group 3 winner Midterm (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) among others.
