Courtesy of Becky Johnston
The next to last day of the 2008 Royal Meet at Ascot Race Course came up windy and cloudy with the ground much harder than most European runners desire. Rain would not fall until the fifth contest of the day.
Bookmakers empty their pockets
The first race was the Group 3 Albany Stakes for two year old fillies going six furlongs. A win for the favorite Cuis Ghaire (IRE) would be a big blow to the bookmakers who might not recover on a day with no precarious odds-on favorite on the horizon. The daughter of Galileo was coming off two easy wins at Naas, the last a Group 3 stakes.
The favorite settled back in the field and when asked, she gave an uncomfortable looking effort that was certainly enough for the win against an overmatched field. This filly will appreciate the increase in distance as she progresses throughout the season and probably will prefer softer footing.
Trained by Jim Bolger and owned by Mrs. Bolger, the filly was ridden by Kevin Manning. Penny’s Gift filled out the exacta and Danidh Dubai was third.
Note: Cuis Ghaire - Newmarket 1000 Guineas Odds 2009 (9-1Fav)
American Bred ‘King’ wins at Royal Meet
The second race of the day was the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at 12 furlongs.
The three-year-old colt Campanologist (USA) by Kingmambo out of the Sadler’s Wells mare, Ring of Music, would bring Godolphin’s connections to the winner’s circle and break the 0 for 33 losing skid that Frankie Dettori seemed destined to stay in.
Campanologist now has a record of five wins from eight starts for trainer Saeed Bin Suroor. His dam, Ring of Music was produced from the Canadian and American champion Glorious Song, making her a sibling to Rahy and Singspiel.
Kingmambo was represented earlier this week when the three-year-old, Henrythenavigator, took the St. James Palace Stakes stamping himself as the best miler in the world while setting the course record in 1:38.7.
Campanologist was bred on the same cross as Henry, who is also out of the Saddler’s Wells mare, Sequoyah.
Conduit finished a closing second and Top Lock was third.
Bats her eyes at the competition
The featured third race was the Group 1 Coronation Stakes for three year old fillies at a distance of one mile. The question was the same as it had been all week, who would take to the firm going. Cheveley Park Stud’s Spacious was the favorite, but it was the Bolgers who once again found their way to the winner’s circle with another offspring of Galileo, Lush Lashes (GB).
The filly disappointed in the 12-furlong Oaks as the favorite earlier this month. Turning back 1/2 mile did not look like a recipe for a win, but she sat off the leaders in the straight went to the lead and fought off a great challenge from Infallible who seemed to get in front of the Bolger charge for a couple of jumps. Lush Lashes drew away to a convincing win and Infallible finished second.
Carribean Sunset was third and the favorite, Spacious, who seemed to come on too late with too little, managed only fourth.
Saturday’s Lineup
Listed Chesham Stakes at seven furlongs for two year olds will feature a runner for HM Queen Elizabeth II, Free Agent, who was a winner in his only start at Leicester.
Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at 12 furlongs for four year olds and up. Runners from Juddmonte, Godolphin, Sheikh Hamden, George Strawbridge, Magnier/Smith/Tabor and the Niarchos family will compete in this field of 11.
Group 1 Golden Jubilee Stakes at six furlongs will feature the Australian wonder Takeover Target.
