Tag: Naval Crown (GB)

Maurice de Gheest Headlines on Sunday

Deauville hosts its second Group 1 contest of the August festival on Sunday, with the 6 1/2-furlong ARC Prix Maurice de Gheest representing a niche for the staying sprinters of which Godolphin's Naval Crown (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is prominent. Coming of age this term with success in Royal Ascot's G1 Platinum Jubilee S. June 18, he beat everything that re-opposed from that contest again in Newmarket's G1 July Cup July 9 only to find Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never) too strong. Some of them are here too, but this is a new challenge with several new rivals entering the mix in a race in which he was only eighth on contrasting testing ground 12 months ago. Charlie Appleby is happy that the surface will be different this time. “We know that conditions in France are there to suit–he loves quick ground and has run well over seven furlongs in the past. Based on his form this year, he looks the one to beat,” he said.

 

How Far Can Harry Go?

If there is one with the capability of reaching these heights in one swoop it is Clive Cox Racing's Harry Three (GB) (Adaay {Ire}), who looked every bit in the mold of some of his trainer's better sprinters when taking the Listed Prix Kistena over six furlongs here July 10. That was a step up from his win in a competitive York handicap June 11 and there is no telling where his limit lies. “He's progressing quickly, but this is a huge step up,” Cox said. “He's full of confidence and he's shown solid form on the track. He's travelled and arrived early and the journey went well which I'm pleased about, given the complications that can arise with that at the moment. He's growing up all the time and becoming more experienced and I think he deserves this step up.” Last year's G2 Prix du Calvados winner Accakaba (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) is another intriguing prospect among the 3-year-olds, with her strong closing effort when fourth in this venue's seven-furlong G1 Prix Jean Prat marking her as a talented performer July 10.

 

Minzaal's Time?

   Shadwell's history with top sprinters is a rich one and the latest big gun among them could be the Owen Burrows-trained Minzaal (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), who has taken a while to deliver on the deep promise of his 2-year-old campaign but who seemed to come of age last time when beating Go Bears Go (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) in the G3 Hackwood S. at Newbury July 16. “He's come out of Newbury great–there is another month until the Haydock Sprint Cup, so this fits in nicely,” his trainer said. “He was very strong at the end at Newbury, so I don't feel the extra half-furlong will hinder him at all. He's been Group 1-placed at two and Group 1-placed at three, so it would be lovely if he can get his head in front for one.”

 

Toy Takes Aim At Dusseldorf Classic

Narrowly denied in the Irish Oaks, Ballydoyle's Toy (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) takes to Dusseldorf to gain compensation in the G1 Henkel Preis der Diana and augment the remarkable record of top-level winners out of her dam You'resothrilling (Storm Cat). Heading the home defence is Stall Nizza's June 19 G2 Oaks d'Italia winner Nachtrose (Ire) (Australia {GB}), whose half-sister Nightflower (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) was second in this in 2015, and Gestut Rottgen's July 3 G3 Mehl Mulhens-Trophy scorer Well Disposed (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), a half-sister to the G1 Deutsches Derby hero Windstoss (Ger) (Shirocco {Ger}).

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No Nay Never’s Alcohol Free Prevails In The July Cup

She wasn't supposed to like fast ground, but Jeff Smith's G1 Coronation S. and G1 Sussex S. heroine Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never) skipped the light fantastic on Newmarket's balmy July Course to stamp her class on Saturday's feature G1 Darley July Cup. Back to this six-furlong trip for the first time since winning the G1 Cheveley Park S. as a juvenile when under three-lengths ninth in Royal Ascot's G1 Platinum Jubilee S., the 14-1 shot was drawn in the right place with that race's winner Naval Crown (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) blazing the trail towards the far side. Delivered by Rob Hornby to subdue that rival inside the final furlong, the Andrew Balding-trained homebred asserted to beat the Godolphin runner by 1 1/2 lengths, with half a length back to Artorius (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}) in third as the Platinum Jubilee form of the older horses came to the fore. “She's now won four group ones at two, three and four, which is a very unusual feat,” trainer Andrew Balding said after greeting his first July Cup winner. “She's a very talented filly and this is her time of year as well, she's twice the horse she was in the spring and it's just lovely to have her back on song.”

 

Since the failed attempt by connections to stretch her to an extended 10 furlongs in the G1 Juddmonte International last August, Alcohol Free's record of one placing in four subsequent starts seemed to tell a story but closer analysis afforded her leeway heading into the most extreme speed test she had yet to face. Apart from the re-entry to the sprinting world in the Platinum Jubilee, she had probably needed her seasonal return when third in the Apr. 22 G2 Sandown Mile and it was only her fourth in the May 14 G1 Lockinge S. at Newbury and eighth in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. that cast any doubt as to her retained ability. This represented a return to the pomp of her defeat of Poetic Flare (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) in the Goodwood feature last term, with her deadly acceleration the key in a deep contest full of sprinting talent proven in the international sphere.

As it turned out, the 2022 July Cup was a case of being in the right place with Naval Crown and James Doyle the one to target and Alcohol Free able to sit over two lengths off him with Artorius in her wake. Despite pace pressure from Emaraaty Ana (GB) (Shamardal), Naval Crown was able to fend off all bar the filly heading to two out and the rest never stood a chance with the front three following that straight path towards the far rail. As on Friday, it was Rob Hornby who was judging things to a tee and it is fitting that he was becoming the first to ride the winners of the Falmouth and this at the same meeting since Johnny Murtagh in 2004.

“It just goes to show her guts and bravery, because she has form on every bit of ground now,” her rider commented. “Coming back to six furlongs, we were unsure if the ground was a bit quick and she was a bit disorganised in the first half of the race which she can sometimes be. From half way I felt her really kick in and she had a real fire in her belly today. It is a hell of a training performance from Andrew and everyone back at Park House. She is a fiery character and she has got a lot of personality. She has always shown lots of natural speed, but stamina as well.”

Balding is intent on heading back to the Sussex now to add to a star-studded line-up. “We needed to run somewhere between Ascot and Goodwood really–the Sussex Stakes has always been her main target, having won the race last year and we were just trying to find the best plan to get her there,” her trainer added. “She's obviously a speed miler rather than an attritional miler, so Goodwood should suit her really well and we look forward to it.”

Charlie Appleby was delighted with the performance of the runner-up and said, “Naval Crown has run a rock-solid race. The plan with him was to go and be forward. He set a good clip there and it was only the filly that has come and dived on us late. It was another solid performance at that level as well, and at sprinting more importantly. I think going forward we will probably head towards Haydock [for the Sprint Cup] with him, as the ground doesn't worry him at all.”

Sam Freedman said of Artorius, “Frustrating is the wrong word, because he always runs very well and a frustrating horse is probably one who mixes his form. He's very honest and reliable in the sense he's always finishing his races off and the 1300 metres for his next target would suit him nicely. He needs them to come back to him a little bit and today it's probably not been the easiest thing to do to make up ground.”

Christophe Soumillon reported that the seventh-placed 9-4 favourite Perfect Power (Ire) (Ardad {Ire}) was unlucky. “Unfortunately, when I asked him to come through horses I never had a clear run and we shifted from the left to the right. He finished well and it wasn't a bad run,” he said.

Alcohol Free, who becomes her sire's second July Cup winner after Ten Sovereigns (Ire), is out of Plying (Hard Spun) who also produced the Listed Prix Le Fabuleux winner Alexander James (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). The second dam is the Listed National S.-placed Nasaieb (Ire) (Fairy King), who was responsible for the G2 Flying Childers S. and G3 Princess Margaret S.-placed Kissing Lights (Ire) (Machiavellian) and is a half to the G3 Solario S. scorer Raise A Grand (Ire) (Grand Lodge). From the family of the champion juvenile filly Numbered Account (Buckpasser), Plying's unraced 2-year-old colt by Dandy Man (Ire) is named Hidden Ambush (Ire) while she also has a yearling filly by Gleneagles (Ire).

Saturday, Newmarket, Britain
DARLEY JULY CUP-G1, £628,500, Newmarket, 7-9, 3yo/up, 6fT, 1:09.47, g/f.
1–ALCOHOL FREE (IRE), 131, f, 4, by No Nay Never
     1st Dam: Plying, by Hard Spun
     2nd Dam: Nasaieb (Ire), by Fairy King
     3rd Dam: Atyaaf, by Irish River (Fr)
(€40,000 Wlg '18 GOFNOV). O-Mr J C Smith; B-Churchtown House Stud (IRE); T-Andrew Balding; J-Rob Hornby. £356,422. Lifetime Record: 14-6-1-2, $1,864,597. *1/2 to Alexander James (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), SW-Fr, $108,819. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Naval Crown (GB), 134, c, 4, Dubawi (Ire)–Come Alive (GB), by Dansili (GB). O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby. £135,128.
3–Artorius (Aus), 134, c, 4, Flying Artie (Aus)–Gracie's Lass (Aus), by Redoute's Choice (Aus). (120,000 Ylg '20 MMGYRL). O-Newgate, China Horse Club & Partners; B-Mr G J Perry (AUS); T-Anthony & Sam Freedman. £67,627.
Margins: 1HF, HF, 1HF. Odds: 14.00, 4.00, 8.00.
Also Ran: Creative Force (Ire), Double Or Bubble (Ire), Emaraaty Ana (GB), Perfect Power (Ire), Happy Romance (Ire), Flaming Rib (Ire), Romantic Proposal (Ire), King Hermes (Jpn), Cadamosto (Ire), Twilight Jet (Ire). Scratched: Blackrod (GB). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Appleby And Dubawi One-Two In The Platinum Jubilee As Naval Crown Prevails

Saturday's G1 Platinum Jubilee S. produced a surprise, but it was a welcome one for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby as Naval Crown (GB) edged out Creative Force (Ire) spread wide across the track to provide a one-two for the stable and the meeting's star sire Dubawi (Ire). Relishing a lead from the ultimately disappointing 5-2 favourite Home Affairs (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) racing stand's side, Naval Crown who was last seen finishing fourth in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint was sent on by James Doyle approaching two out and came home alone there as Creative Force forged ahead of the main pack up the centre. At the line, it was the 33-1 shot sporting the white cap who had a neck advantage, with half a length back to the dead-heating Artorius (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}) and Campanelle (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}).

“I just got a lovely draft into the race behind Home Affairs and he kind of dropped away around the two and a half,” Doyle explained. “We had to be pretty brave and kick for home, but Naval Crown has campaigned over further and he's got the stamina in his legs. He's very genuine. This race is one of the highlights of the week, so to be able to win it again and to do it for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and Charlie–it's great to play a small part in that.”

Campaigned at up to a mile at two and three, Naval Crown had beaten Master of the Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the Listed Meydan Classic last February before finishing behind that stablemate when fourth in the 2000 Guineas. Ironically, it was Creative Force and Doyle in the white cap who was in front in the G3 Jersey S. on soft ground here 12 months ago, with Naval Crown under William Buick as they took identical paths racing far away from each other. Naval Crown had one more outing in Europe, when eighth in Deauville's G1 Prix Jean Prat in July and was next seen winning Meydan's G2 Al Fahidi Fort Jan. 21. Favourite for the 1351 Turf Sprint at Riyadh Feb. 26, the bay was sent forward from his wide draw and over-raced before fading to 11th there and was trying this trip for the first time when fourth in the Mar. 26 Al Quoz Sprint back at Meydan.

All the focus had been on the Chris Waller trainee Home Affairs, who was looking to bring up a rare double for the trainer, and all seemed to be going to plan as he tanked along for the first two furlongs under James McDonald a few widths off the stand's rail. At halfway, the rest were too close for comfort and two out the favourite was already beaten as the bulk of the contenders were fighting up the middle of the track. Naval Crown, Campanelle, Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) and Creative Force were almost in line spaced apart passing the furlong pole as Artorius came into the picture, but it was the winner's solo effort clear of his group which proved marginally the strongest.

“He owes me a big day, to be fair–he was red-hot favourite for the race in Saudi and we had a bad draw. He jumped impeccably, but just completely tore off,” Doyle added. “It was a bit of a disaster, but it taught us one thing, that he's definitely a sprinter so we dabbled with the idea and he ran a cracking race in the Al Quoz. That kind of taught him plenty that would have stood him in good stead today.”

Appleby commented, “One thing that Naval Crown had coming into the race was that he was still learning the sprinting game. He'd only sprinted once in his life and that was in the Al Quoz. When I took him to Saudi it was all a bit of a mess unfortunately, although we saw his natural pace there. He was fourth in a Guineas, so he's a rock-solid horse. Creative Force ran a blinder. From that draw, it was always away from him but Will gave him a fantastic ride and it was just like the Jersey last year–they were ding-donging away with themselves in the end. They are two fantastic Dubawis.”

“Naval Crown is cutting his teeth at the sprinting division now and he's learning fast. I see no reason why we shouldn't be going to the July Cup now on what we've seen today. We hadn't really planned beyond this–we thought we'd just be following the Australians home to be fair. Full credit to all the team. I am lucky enough to stand here, but the team do all the work at home. The horses have been in rude health since the spring and it's hard to try to maintain it as the year goes on, but touch wood, they're staying there.”

Campanelle lost her unbeaten Royal Ascot record, but nothing in defeat and trainer Wesley Ward said, “I am very proud of her. The race went just as we hoped. She jumped well and those on the speed have been doing well because of the weather conditions here. She would have preferred the going a little softer. She was out in front, she ran a beautiful race and there are no excuses.”

Sam Freedman said of Artorius, “There was barely a gap there and he poked his head through. He has run a wonderful race. The guys say he will probably stay here for the July Cup. The track is little bit different to Ascot, but it is a stiff finish again.” His part-owner Henry Field added, “That is the style of the horse that Artorius is. He didn't quite get there, but the trip away has done him the world of good. Sam Freedman is one of the most astute young trainers I have ever come across. Anthony and Sam have done a wonderful job with him. As long as he comes through the race well, there is no doubt we will run in the July Cup in a few weeks.”

Naval Crown capped one of the key moments in Dubawi's formidable stud career by becoming his 50th group 1 winner. The dam, the Listed Prix Amandine victrix Come Alive (GB) (Dansili {GB}), is a daughter of Portrayal (Saint Ballado) who took the Listed Severals S. and was placed three times in group company including when third in the G2 Prix Robert Papin. Portrayal, whose full-sister Trujillo produced the New Zealand stakes scorer Ruby Armani (NZ) from a mating with Dubawi's son Makfi (GB), is a granddaughter of the G3 Prix de Royaumont winner Truly Special (Ire) (Caerleon) whose progeny list is headed by the GII E. P. Taylor S. heroine and stakes producer Truly a Dream (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}). This is the family of the G1 Irish Oaks heroine Moonstone (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}). Come Alive's unraced 2-year-old filly by Lope de Vega (Ire) is named Spring Promise (Ire), while she also has a yearling filly by Shamardal.

Saturday, Ascot, Britain
PLATINUM JUBILEE S.-G1, £1,000,000, Ascot, 6-18, 4yo/up, 6fT, 1:12.17, g/f.
1–NAVAL CROWN (GB), 131, c, 4, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Come Alive (GB) (SW-Fr), by Dansili (GB)
2nd Dam: Portrayal, by Saint Ballado
3rd Dam: True Glory (Ire), by In the Wings (GB)
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby; J-James Doyle. £567,100. Lifetime Record: Hwt. 3yo-UAE at 7-9.5f, GSW-UAE & MGSP-Fr, 15-4-2-5, $1,055,430. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Creative Force (Ire), 131, g, 4, Dubawi (Ire)–Choose Me (Ire), by Choisir (Aus). (€400,000 Ylg '19 GOFOR). O-Godolphin; B-Owenstown Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby. £215,000.
(DH)3–Artorius (Aus), 131, c, 4, Flying Artie (Aus)–Gracie's Lass (Aus), by Redoute's Choice (Aus). (120,000 Ylg '20 MMGYRL). O-Newgate, China Horse Club & Partners; B-G J Perry (AUS); T-A & S Freedman. £80,600.
(DH)3–Campanelle (Ire), 128, f, 4, Kodiac (GB)–Janina (GB), by Namid (GB). (190,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-Stonestreet Stables LLC; B-Tally-Ho Stud (IRE); T-Wesley Ward. £80,600.
Margins: NK, HF, DHT. Odds: 33.00, 12.00, 8.50/10.00.
Also Ran: Sacred (GB), Highfield Princess (Fr), Happy Romance (Ire), Kinross (GB), Alcohol Free (Ire), Run To Freedom (GB), Double Or Bubble (Ire), Diligent Harry (GB), Minzaal (Ire), King's Lynn (GB), Emaraaty Ana (GB), Gustavus Weston (Ire), A Case of You (Ire), Umm Kulthum (Ire), Grenadier Guards (Jpn), Home Affairs (Aus), Garrus (Ire), Vadream (GB), Dragon Symbol (GB), Great Ambassador (GB). Scratched: Glen Shiel (GB), Happy Power (Ire), Ventura Diamond (Ire). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

 

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Buick Off Saudi Cup Mounts After Covid Positive

Godolphin jockey William Buick, who was slated to ride the Jan. 21 G2 Al Fahidi Fort hero Naval Crown (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G3 1351 Turf Sprint on the Saturday of the Saudi Cup meeting, has tested positive for Covid and will be off his mounts in Riyadh on Saturday. Also due to ride Siskany (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G3 Longines Red Sea Turf H., Noble Truth (Fr) (Kingman {GB}) in the G3 Saudi Derby and Copano Kicking (Spring At Last) in the G3 Riyadh Cup Sprint, Buick missed several rides at Meydan on Friday, as well. In Friday's G3 Dubai Millennium S., Buick had been booked for Star Safari (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), but Andrea Atzeni finished second aboard the Godolphin runner instead.

For his Saudi Cup mounts, James Doyle will deputise for Buick on Naval Crown and Siskany, while Frankie Dettori has been called up to ride Noble Truth. In place of Doyle on Happy Power (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in the 1351 Cup Sprint is David Egan. The regular rider of 2021 Saudi Cup victor Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}), Egan also picks up the ride on Copano Kicking for Buick in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint.

Ginobili (Munnings) will be forced to miss the Sprint after emerging from his second gallop at King Abdulaziz unsatisfactorily. Trainer Richard Baltas told Daily Racing Form that the 5-year-old was lame in his left for, but that the first set of X-rays taken were negative. Results of a second set of images were pending and Baltas surmised that Ginobili would undergo a nuclear scan upon his return to America.

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