Art Connoisseur shocks Golden Jubilee field |
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The theme of the week at Royal Ascot has been what many have called ‘foreign domination’ and on Saturday, in the Golden Jubilee Stakes, two out of country horses were fancied to argue it out. Yes, they argued it out but when the final argument was heard, it came from a horse trained by Michael Bell who is England-based. Art Connoisseur, winner of the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot last year, came from last to first on the stands side rail to post a neck win. Cannonball, trained by Wesley Ward who had an excellent Ascot campaign, came up with a rattle only to be denied in an exciting finish. J J The Jet Plane, the South African runner, led and weakened to be fourth. Sacred Kingdom, the Hong Kong sprinting star, had trouble at the start, rushed to contention, loomed large with 400 metres left, failed to sustain and finished fifth.
Scenic Blast madeAustralia proud in the King’s Stand. Master Craftsman came from Ireland to win the St James Palace. Vision d’Etat took the Prince of Wales prize to France. Yeats, from Ballydoyle, made history by winning four Gold Cups in a row. Thanks to Ghanaati, the French challenge from Elusive Wave was brushed aside in the Coronation Stakes. Art Connoisseur said in no uncertain terms, “this is our (English) turf. You cannot come here and plunder. I will show you what English horses are capable of.” J J The Jet Plane showed out and was in front until the 400-metre mark. Sacred Kingdom, compromised by a not-so-clean beginning, threatened for a moment and retreated. The pace had been ultra quick and it was clear that a come-from-behinder would do it. Art Connoisseur, at home at Ascot and last year’s Coventry is evidence, was ridden by Tom Queally who took the stands side rail and the Michael Bell-trained sophomore shot past the field like a silver arrow racing across a dark sky. Olivier Peslier produced Cannonball late in the center of the track but fell short. The race was worth 278,456 pounds to Mr Richard Green, an art dealer and owner of Art Connoisseur. The 1200-metre Golden Jubilee was run in 1 14.09. Art Connoisseur is by Lucky Story. The dame is Withorwithout You, a Danehill mare. Trainer Michael Bell was winning his second high profile event in June. Sariska, Jamie Spencer up, won the Oaks at Epsom for Bell. “Art Connoisseur had a cracked cannonbone in the Gimcrack Stakes. We raced him in the Free Handicap to see if he will get a mile. We got the impression he was a sprinter. The Golden Jubilee has been our target for some time. Again, he has not fulfiiled the promise and has had breaks in his training. He popped a splint a month ago. He has been swimming. It all came together today, “ Bell said. Commenting on Tom Queally, Bell had this to say, “Jamie (Spencer) would have had this mount. He has been suspended. Hayley Turner was next. Unfortunate, she could not ride. However, I am delighted about Tom (Queally) and he did a great piece of riding.” Jockey Queally's last win. "I am, especially, happy to have a winner here at Royal Ascot came five years ago. “On Friday, I took Native Ruler over Father Time and you know who won. This was a chance mount. I am happy especially to have winner here after a long time,” Queally said. Big Audio beat Emperor Claudius by the proverbial whisker in the Chesham Stakes. It was the fourth win for Richard Hughes at the Royal Meeting.In the Hardwicke Stakes, Bronze Cannon came charging etc. in the last 200 metres to catch Campanologist who was shaping like a winner close home. Doctor Fremantle ran a poor race. High Standing, Ryan Moore up, got up to beat Asset, Dettori up, in the waning yards to take the Wokingham. It was (narrow) loss number two for Frankie Dettori on Saturday. Drill Segeant gave Joe Fanning his second Royal Ascot win in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes. Mark Johnston trains Drill Sergeant and has been winning races all over in the past three days. Caracciola, the 12 year-old, had the last laugh in the Queen Alexandra, the longest race at Royal Ascot. The Queen Alexandra distance is two miles five furlongs and 159 yards. Eddie Ahern timed his move to perfection. John Murtagh was the leading jockey despite missing Friday and Saturday. Murtagh and Richard Hughes were tied with four winners apiece but Murtagh’s second in the Queen Anne with Cesare sealed the honors for him. Paul Smith, Derrick Smith’s son, accepted the London Clubs International Charity Trophy on Murtagh’s behalf. Jockey Murtagh was leading jockey in 2008. He won the title in 2001 and 2002. The top trainer at Royal Ascot was Barry Hills. He had three winners, Ouqba, Ghanaati and Giganticus. Barry Hills has been fighting a blood disorder . Charlie Hills, Barry’s son, accepted the prize on his father’s behalf. “This week has shown us what a great team we have. They have kept the horses bang on for the week while dad has not been well, and he has never won the title. Ghanaati was a delight and she’s very special, “ Charlie Hills stated. At Down Royal in Ireland, Colm O’Donoghue and Aidan O’Brien combined for two winners in an afternoon card. Changinoftheguard, a Montjeu colt, won the Ulster Derby with a degree of comfort. A winner recently, Changinoftheguard did not get a high enough rating to qualify for Royal Ascot. What a blessing it turned out to be! I called Colm on Sunday about noon London-Dublin time. The ever polite and always pleasant Colm thanked me for my greeting. “You are coming to Dublin and I will see you at the Curragh. I will be riding there Saturday and Sunday. I saw you at Epsom as I was leaving the paddock for the Derby.” Colm O’Donoghue is beginning to ride first string horses for Aidan O’Brien. After John Murtagh and Seamie Heffernan, Colm is third in line at Ballydoyle. Colm is winning frequently and riding with tremendous confidence.I am hoping he will be able to come to India in November. On Sunday, Pontefract stages an afternoon card. Hereford and Hexham have jumps cards. Down Royal and Gowran Park race in Ireland. There is a stakes-studded card at the jumps meeting at Auteuil in France. It is in Paris close to Longchamp and Roland Garros tennis stadium. Sri Lanka is favored to beat Pakistan in the twenty series Sunday afternoon. Sri Lanka is 8-11 and Pakistan is 11-10. Roger Federer is 8-11 to win the title at Wimbledon. Nadal’s defection has pushed Federer into ‘on money’ territory. I may have a wager. Three more days in London. It is with a tinge of sadness that I will leave London. I like the city and I am in love with English racing. As the week progresses, the focus shifts to Dublin. |
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