Both Godolphin's Book 1 sensation Hafit (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's homebred blueblood Triple Time (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) were breaking their maidens Aug. 6, but as the latter was doing so at the third attempt it was the 2.1 million guineas purchase Hafit that elicited the greater excitement in a fascinating renewal of Saturday's Listed Betfair Exchange Ascendant S. Triple Time, who had been started over an inadequate six furlongs when third behind the subsequent G2 Superlative S. third Dhabab (Ire) (No Nay Never) at Leicester June 1, was a touch disappointing when runner-up to Mr McCann (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) over seven here a month later but that rival went on to finish fourth in the Superlative to add some symmetry to the form.
It was only when tackling this trip returning to this venue that he was able to grow into his early promise with a 9 1/2-length dismissal of the seven-race maiden but solid yardstick Point Lynas (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) and despite a tardy break here was once again sent straight to the front by Andrea Atzeni. As the Listed Stonehenge S. runner-up Power of Beauty (Ire) (Slade Power {Ire}), who had got upset and reared in the stalls, waved the white flag in midstraight it was only Hafit who was able to pose a threat. Galloping relentlessly to ward off the favourite, Triple Time had the most to give in the run to the line to decide a contest that may be used as a reference point several times in the future.
Trainer Kevin Ryan is understandably excited about Triple Time and said, “Even in the Spring, we thought he was very special but he's taken a bit of time. Physically he's there, but mentally he's just taken racing to really learn the job. He was very impressive today. We were very worried about the ground, but Sheikh Mohammed Obaid is never afraid to get them beat and we decided we'd find out if he handled it or not. He's handled it and he's probably handled it because he's a very good horse. He's done everything we've needed to do this year and he's obviously identified himself as a very talented horse.”
Future targets and optimum trip have yet to be decided, but Ryan is not in a rush to decide the next race. “We'll do what's right by the horse. He's going to be a very exciting horse for next year,” he added. “Sheikh Mohammed Obaid said about going 10 furlongs and I said that is probably as far as we want to go. We are both on the same hymn sheet. You have to think of him as a Guineas horse, as that is the best trial for any race. I would presume that is what we will be leading to next year. He has loads of speed and you need a sprinter to go with him. He is a big striding horse and that is why Andrea has let him go to the front. If you try to break his stride he will try take you on. If you let him use his stride he will switch off and settle for you.”
Triple Time is a half-brother to four black-type winners who carried these silks with distinction. They are the G1 Prix Jean Romanet heroine Ajman Princess, this year's Listed Lingfield Derby Trial scorer and G3 Gordon S.-placed Third Realm, the G3 Bengough S. winner Cape Byron and the G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein winner Ostilio who all plied their trade over a variety of trips. Reem Three, who is also responsible for the G1 Prix Saint Alary third Imperial Charm and is a half-sister to the G2 Celebration Mile winner and GI Arlington Million runner-up Afsare (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), has a yearling colt by Lope de Vega (Ire) and a filly foal by Kingman (GB) to follow.
Saturday, Haydock, Britain
BETFAIR EXCHANGE ASCENDANT S.-Listed, £40,500, Haydock, 9-4, 2yo, 8f 37yT, 1:41.21, g/f.
1–TRIPLE TIME (IRE), 128, c, 2, by Frankel (GB)
1st Dam: Reem Three (GB) (SP-Eng), by Mark of Esteem (Ire)
2nd Dam: Jumaireyah (GB), by Fairy King
3rd Dam: Donya (Ire), by Mill Reef
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. O/B-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum (IRE); T-Kevin Ryan; J-Andrea Atzeni. £22,968. Lifetime Record: 4-2-1-1, $44,283. *1/2 to Ajman Princess (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), Hwt. Older Mare-Fr at 9.5-11f, G1SW-Fr, SW & MGSP-Eng, $306,567; Ostilio (GB) (New Approach {Ire}), GSW-Fr, SW & GSP-Eng, $346,723; Cape Byron (GB) (Shamardal), GSW-Eng & SP-Fr, $401,954; Third Realm (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), SW & GSP-Eng, $121,235; and Imperial Charm (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), G1SP-Fr, $136,125.
2–Hafit (Ire), 128, c, 2, Dubawi (Ire)–Cushion (GB), by Galileo (Ire). (2,100,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Godolphin; B-Floors Farming & Coolmore Stud (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby. £8,708.
3–Dukebox (Ire), 128, g, 2, Holy Roman Emperor (Ire)–Broadway Duchess (Ire), by New Approach (Ire). (£65,000 Ylg '20 GOFOR). O-J K Powell Racing; B-The Broadway Partnership (IRE); T-Richard Hannon. £4,358.
Margins: 1HF, 3 1/4, 9. Odds: 3.00, 0.73, 40.00.
Also Ran: Power of Beauty (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result.
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