Successful in two of his first three starts on Kempton's Polytrack, Godolphin's Highland Avenue (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) was particularly impressive when taking the Mar. 3 “Road To The Kentucky Derby” Conditions S. given that he had to overcome a tardy start. Much more sprightly from the break in this debut on turf in Tuesday's Listed Feilden S. at Newmarket, the grey tracked the leading duo before taking over approaching the two-furlong pole. Chased down by stablemate Secret Protector (War Front) from there, he gave generously to win by 1 1/4 lengths as the pair pulled six lengths clear of a smart field. “To be fair, he hasn't done anything wrong in his career and just found it a little bit sharp first time,” jockey James Doyle said of the homebred, whose dam enjoyed her finest hour at this venue when winning the G1 Cheveley Park S. and is a full-sister to the GI E. P. Taylor S. heroine Sheikha Reika (Fr) (Shamardal). “He's a sleeper at home and not flashy in his work, but he'd shown enough and has improved on the track. He quickened up well in the Kentucky Derby race and has mentally improved throughout each run. He'll probably come back in distance after today, I was surprised how well he travelled and he responded a bit sharper than I thought he would. Charlie said we should take our time with him and I think he'll come on massively for that.”
Appleby is keen to avoid over-facing the winner for now and added, “He is doing everything the right way–we are not trying to achieve too much too soon with him. He is very much a horse that might not jump straight into the deep end just yet. Physically, he is a big horse. Each run he is tightening up and skeletally is strengthening up well. He has got to do a stalls test now, as I've taken a ticket with him the last three occasions, but I'm sure it will be fine. The second horse has added substance to it. It was a hard choice for William [Buick], but he had ridden Secret Protector and not this one so he stuck with him. He is a horse that is probably crying out for a bit further. As this horse mentally sharpens up, he will get physically sharper and he will get quicker. At this moment, I think a Guineas might be too much. I don't want to lose this horse just by rolling the dice with him, as he has got an engine.” Lumiere's 2-year-old filly is by Galileo (Ire), while she also has a 2020 filly by Sea the Stars (Ire).
BET365 FEILDEN S.-Listed, £30,000, Newmarket, 4-13, 3yo, 9fT, 1:48.23, gd.
1–HIGHLAND AVENUE (IRE), 126, c, 3, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Lumiere (GB) (Hwt. 2yo Filly-Eng, G1SW-Eng, $329,674), by Shamardal
2nd Dam: Screen Star (Ire), by Tobougg (Ire)
3rd Dam: Actoris, by Diesis (GB)
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby; J-James Doyle. £17,013. Lifetime Record: 4-3-1-0, $62,725.
2–Secret Protector, 126, c, 3, War Front–Eternal Bounty (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). ($800,000 Ylg '19 KEESEP). O-Godolphin; B-R. S. Evans (KY); T-Charlie Appleby. £6,450.
3–Royal Champion (Ire), 126, c, 3, Shamardal–Emirates Queen (GB), by Street Cry (Ire). O/B-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum (IRE); T-Roger Varian. £3,228.
Margins: 1 1/4, 6, HD. Odds: 4.50, 4.50, 2.00.
Also Ran: Youth Spirit (Ire), Fancy Man (Ire), Gentleman Joe (GB), New Treasure (Ire), Arturo Toscanini (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result.
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