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Showcasing’s Asymmetric Strikes For Richmond Triumph

Fresh from a landmark success in Tuesday's G1 Goodwood Cup, the Alan King stable was to the fore once more when Leora Judah's 2-year-old colt Asymmetric (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) displayed an explosive turn of foot to bag Thursday's G2 Unibet Richmond S. at the Sussex track. The March-foaled bay had opened up with a pair of novice scores, over this six-furlong strip and at Newmarket in June, before relinquishing his perfect record when the wrong side of a head verdict in the latter venue's July 8 G2 July S. last time. Asymmetric was sharply into stride from the stands' side stall, but was shuffled back to settle fifth after the initial exchanges. Rowed along in behind inside the quarter-mile marker, the 11-4 favourite bullied his way through an opening passing the furlong pole and quickened impressively from there to prevail by a half-length from Khunan (GB) (Twilight Son {GB}) in a blanket finish. Newbury's Super Sprint winner Gubbass (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) was edged out of second by a nose with G2 July S. fourth Ebro River (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}) finishing a neck further adrift in fourth.

“I burnt out most of the nerves on Tuesday with Trueshan and hoped and thought Asymmetric would run very well today,” said trainer Alan King. “I wasn't thinking he had to win this whereas I thought Trueshan had to on Tuesday. Asymmetric has the most wonderful temperament, he's almost horizontal he's so laid back. We were always going to step back and take a lead on him and I was just hoping they wouldn't get first run on him. They went steady early, which was something I wasn't sure about, he has a fairly good turn of foot when he does go and he picked up very well. He can go on soft, but we think he is a better horse on top of the ground and he gives Martin [Harley] a much better feel on faster ground. Luckily, the ground has dried out a bit. He's in the [G2] Gimcrack and he's entered in the [G1] Prix Morny in France, but I've no idea where he goes next. We'll see what the team want to do.”

Winning rider martin Harley added, “He travelled good and when I asked him for a gear change, he went from second to fifth. He has an incredible turn of foot and he showed that today. That was very exciting.”

Looking ahead to possible targets for the runner-up Khunan, trainer Richard Fahey said, “I think Khunan is a six-furlong horse so we will be looking at the [G1] Prix Morny and he is in the [G2] Gimcrack.” Jockey Hollie Doyle added, “We had an easy time of it on the front end, but he hit a flat spot and then he quickened up really well. It was a massive run.”

Asymmetric, half-brother to a yearling colt by Gleneagles (Ire), is the first of two foals produced by a winning half-sister to Listed Westow S. victrix and G3 Prix du Petit Couvert placegetter Fashion Queen (GB) (Aqlaam {GB}). Black-type descendants of the March-foaled bay's third dam Pizzicato (GB) (Statoblest {Ire}) include MGSW G2 Flying Childers S. victrix Wunders Dream (Ire) (Averti {Ire}) and GSW G1 Jebel Hatta third Muffri'ha (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}).

Thursday, Goodwood, Britain
UNIBET RICHMOND S.-G2, £150,000, Goodwood, 7-29, 2yo, c/g, 6fT, 1:14.31, g/s.
1–ASYMMETRIC (IRE), 126, c, 2, by Showcasing (GB)
1st Dam: Swirral Edge (GB), by Hellvelyn (GB)
2nd Dam: Pizzarra (GB), by Shamardal
3rd Dam: Pizzicato (GB), by Statoblest (Ire)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (65,000gns Ylg '20 TADEYG; 150,000gns 2yo '21 TATBRE). O-Ms Leora Judah; B-Redpender Stud Ltd (IRE); T-Alan King; J-Martin Harley. £85,065. Lifetime Record: 4-3-1-0, $157,101. Werk Nick Rating: C. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Khunan (GB), 126, c, 2, Twilight Son (GB)–Hilary J (GB), by Mount Nelson (GB). (£18,000 Ylg '20 GOFFUK). O-Al Mohamediya Racing; B-Bumble Bloodstock Ltd (GB); T-Richard Fahey. £32,250.
3–Gubbass (Ire), 126, c, 2, Mehmas (Ire)–Vida Amorosa (Ire), by Lope de Vega (Ire). (£26,000 Ylg '20 TATIRY). O-Jassim bin Ali Al Attiyah; B-Tom Lacy (IRE); T-Richard Hannon. £16,140.
Margins: HF, NO, NK. Odds: 2.75, 16.00, 4.00.
Also Ran: Ebro River (Ire), Perfect Power (Ire), Gis A Sub (Ire), Caturra (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Audarya Primed for Nassau Bid

With the major contests going the way of the 3-year-olds so far, it is up to Audarya (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) to attempt to bring that generation back into line a touch in Thursday's G1 Qatar Nassau S. at Goodwood. Improving markedly at this stage last term, Alison Swinburn's 5-year-old captured the G1 Prix Jean Romanet on soft ground at Deauville in August, was third to Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal) in the G1 Prix de l'Opera on heavy at ParisLongchamp in October before capturing the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf on firm going at Keeneland in November. Giving Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) a scare when 3/4-of-a-length second to that luminary in the G1 Prince of Wales's S. at Royal Ascot June 16, she sets a clear standard on that form. “Audarya ran really well at Royal Ascot and she's come out of the race in good form,” trainer James Fanshawe said.

“Six weeks is a nice gap between races when you are taking things step by step and we've had this race in mind for a while. She's got better as she's got older and she's doing everything right at home. It was fast ground at Keeneland and Royal Ascot, but she shouldn't have any problem on easier going because it was very testing last year when she won the Romanet and very soft when she ran so well in the Prix de l'Opera.”

Also flying the flag for the older fillies and mares is Lady Bowthorpe (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), who like Audarya has gone from strength to strength since last summer and seeks a first top-level success after two fine efforts at this level in 2021. Runner-up to Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}) in the G1 Lockinge S. at Newbury May 15 and fourth when suffering a troubled trip in the G1 Falmouth S. at Newmarket July 9, she tries this 10-furlong trip for the first time having won over nine in the May 2 G2 Dahlia S. at Newmarket. “She's grown up as a 5-year-old mare and she's much more amenable now,” trainer William Jarvis said. “As a 3 and 4-year-old, we thought she was very much a soft-ground filly but her run in both the Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket and more recently in the Falmouth Stakes were on good-to-firm ground and I think she's pretty adaptable. She was very tired when she came out of the Lockinge Stakes, but we had a very good preparation between Ascot and Newmarket and she's really been pleasing me since the Falmouth.”

Aidan O'Brien puts forward two high-achieving 3-year-olds in the June 20 G1 Prix de Diane winner Joan of Arc (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Empress Josephine (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who beat her stablemate in the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas at The Curragh May 23. “We are lucky to have some great fillies and we try to keep them apart and give them their best chance by picking the races which will suit them best, but we have been aiming both of these fillies for this race,” he said. “Joan of Arc won the Prix de Diane and has been progressing lovely all season. Empress Josephine will be stepping up to a mile and a quarter. We went further with her in Gowran before she won the Guineas and then went back in trip. She's a full-sister to Minding, who got a mile and a quarter and got a mile and a half. It's possible she could leave that Gowran run behind her and get the trip, but she is a filly that's got plenty of speed.”

Shadwell's Zeyaadah (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) beat Mantonbury Stud's Technique (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) by a cosy head margin in the G3 Hoppings Fillies' S. over this trip at Newcastle June 25 and the former's trainer Roger Varian is hoping the ground continues to dry. “She'll need to step up on the Newcastle form to win a Nassau, but while she only won a head she was in command at the line there. Bar the Oaks, she's done nothing wrong in her career. There was only one winner that day and the rest were nowhere. I think she's a 10-furlong filly and I also think she's a better-ground filly now she's going up against better horses, although she's got soft-ground form. She's in good form and I think she's ready for this test.”

In the G2 Unibet Richmond S. for the 2-year-olds, Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum's June 17 G2 Norfolk S. winner Perfect Power (Ire) (Ardad {Ire}) bids to defy a penalty moving up from five to six furlongs. His defeat of Go Bears Go (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) was made to look even better after the runner-up captured the G2 Railway S. and there is no reason on pedigree and racing style that he will not be at least as effective over this trip. “He has a three-pound penalty for his Royal Ascot win, which is always tough but the horse is in great order,” trainer Richard Fahey commented. “The ground is drying up and should be beautiful by the Richmond Stakes, possibly just on the dead side but he should handle that. I have no worries about going up to six furlongs, in fact I think he'll be better for it.” Leora Judah's Asymmetric (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) looks to add to Alan King's week to remember and has sound claims based on his second to Lusail (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) in the G2 July S. at Newmarket July 8, while Jassim bin Ali Al Attiyah's July 17 Weatherbys Super Sprint winner Gubbass (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) represents the Richard Hannon stable.

In the G3 John Pearce Racing Gordon S., the June 26 G1 Irish Derby third and July 14 G1 Grand Prix de Paris runner-up Wordsworth (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) takes the next step towards a G1 St Leger bid. He is joined by stablemate Sir Lucan (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), who beat him in the 13-furlong Listed Yeats S. at Navan May 15 but has been absent since. “I don't think you can readily rule out any of these, so it's a competitive group 3, albeit one lacking a stand-out,” Wordsworth's rider Ryan Moore commented. “That said, I think my mount Wordsworth is the one to beat in here, even if Sir Lucan got the better of him the last time they met at Navan back in May. Wordsworth has clearly improved since then, being placed in group 1 company on his last two starts and his Grand Prix de Paris second last time came in testing ground.”

Ballydoyle's duo encounter stiff opposition headed by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's Third Realm (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), who beat Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in the May 8 Listed Lingfield Derby Trial before disappointing when over 11-lengths fifth behind that peer in the June 5 G1 Epsom Derby. Also down the field in the blue riband was Ahmad Al Shaikh's May 5 G3 Chester Vase winner Youth Spirit (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), while Godolphin's Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is another intriguing candidate having returned to form when capturing the 13-furlong G3 Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket July 8.

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Big Day For No Nay Never As Alcohol Free Wins The Sussex

In the battle between the 3-year-old colts and fillies, it was Jeff Smith's Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never) who prevailed over Poetic Flare (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) with an impressive success in Wednesday's G1 Qatar Sussex S. at Goodwood. Trapped wide throughout the early stages from her wide draw and forced to take back and race towards the rear, the 7-2 second favourite who had annexed the G1 Coronation S. at Royal Ascot June 18 was delivered by Oisin Murphy to cut down Jim Bolger's G1 2000 Guineas and G1 St James's Palace S. hero approaching the furlong pole. Brushing that 11-8 favourite aside, she stayed on strongly to score by 1 3/4 lengths, with the same margin back to Alcohol Free's G1 Falmouth S. conqueress Snow Lantern (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in third as the Classic generation dominated. “Alcohol Free is so, so talented and what a thrill I got from that,” Murphy said. “The race really ran from when we turned into the straight and then it was a grind to the line.”

Showing talent from the outset, Alcohol Free raced solely over six furlongs with success in the G1 Cheveley Park S. at Newmarket and a second in Salisbury's G3 Dick Poole Fillies' S. in September to show from a light campaign. Back with a win in the seven-furlong G3 Fred Darling S. at Newbury Apr. 18, she was an uncertain stayer heading to the May 2 1000 Guineas at Newmarket and that was still a question mark after she finished fifth there but in the Coronation she emphatically proved her staying power. Forced to make the running when third in the Falmouth at Newmarket July 9, she may have been compromised as much by quicker ground as the tactics and so when the rain came the Kingsclere confidence rose.

Forced out on the track soon after the start as Tilsit (First Defence) made his move forward, Alcohol Free was going to have to do it the hard way as had so often been the case throughout her career. Reined back to race alongside Snow Lantern as the GI Breeders' Cup Mile hero Order of Australia (Ire) (Australia {GB}) put the pace to the race kept company by Century Dream (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), she had to surrender first run to Poetic Flare who had been ideally placed tracking that duo. No sooner had Keving Manning forged a narrow lead on the favourite from Century Dream heading to the furlong pole, Alcohol Free was upon him and the result was quickly settled as she swamped him to become the first of her sex to win this since Soviet Song (Ire) (Marju {Ire}) in 2004.

“I knew James Doyle would go forward on Century Dream, but on his own terms and in his own rhythm,” Murphy reflected afterwards. “I knew Tilsit under Kieran Shoemark and Alcohol Free would fight for the same position. Unfortunately, she is 440kgs and Tilsit is probably 500kgs plus. I was never going to win that battle and was happy to come back and trust that Kieran would move at the right time and that I would be able to get out and slip into the race. I can't thank everyone at Park House enough. Alcohol Free really can be a handful in the mornings. Cassia has to deal with her every day and deserves a medal because she can be really tough work.”

Trainer Andrew Balding added, “Oisin was at pains to try and tuck in and get some cover, because she's so much better when you are able to do that and she has got something to aim at. Poetic Flare is a very good horse, but she really did it well in the end. I am sure there were hard-luck stories, but I am sure she was the best horse on the day. It was lovely to see her do that because we have always believed in her. It is no easy task taking on the colts and older horses and to do it in that style was just fantastic.”

“Watching her work is demoralising for the other horses; we have to keep swapping the lead horse because she is just so, so good,” her handler continued. “You see her afterwards and she is hardly blowing–it is effortless really. She has been the victim of bad draws whenever she has run, to be honest. She probably would have won the Dick Poole, and, with a good draw, I think in the Guineas she would have gone close had she been drawn in the middle or to the far side. It was Jeff Smith's idea in the first place, and I don't think it's a bad idea, to put her in the [Aug. 18 G1 Juddmonte] International at York and we decided to keep her in at yesterday's forfeit stage. It might be asking a bit much, going a mile and a quarter, but she's a filly that has won three Group 1 races, so we have very little to lose. If it doesn't work, we'll regroup and go back to the mile race on Champions Day.”

Una Manning said of the runner-up, “Kevin [Manning] said for Poetic Flare that it was the same as France again. The ground just blunted his speed and I would say the wind drying it out has just made the ground tacky. We were always going to turn up here, it was just unfortunate that the rain came. We were game to go and had to give it our best go. Poetic Flare has lost nothing in defeat. He loves his racing, loves his work. He's an easy horse to deal with and to travel. Bringing him over here wasn't going to be any sort of disadvantage to him, even if the ground didn't turn out like he wanted.”

Kevin Manning added “It was the same as in Paris. I was riding Poetic Flare a little bit behind the bridle from a long way down, whereas on good ground he is travelling into his races. I think the ground has just blunted him for speed. It is tacky, holding ground and there is no bounce in it. Poetic Flare has dug very deep and I thought for a few strides when Alcohol Free came by that he would shunt her back. He's won a 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace on good to quick ground. The runs that he hasn't lived up to have both come on soft ground.”

Snow Lantern stayed on from behind once again and jockey Jamie Spencer suggested that a step up in trip could suit. “The pace was only just okay,” he said. “When they quickened at the three, I was caught a little flat-footed, but I hit the line very strong. Further won't be a problem.”

Alcohol Free, who was completing an afternoon group double for her sire after Armor (GB) had taken the Molecomb, is a daughter of Plying (Hard Spun) who also produced the Listed Prix le Fabuleux scorer Alexander James (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). The second dam is the Listed National S.-placed Nasaieb (Ire) (Fairy King), who is also responsible for the G2 Flying Childers S. and G3 Princess Margaret S. third Kissing Lights (Ire) Machiavellian) and is a half-sister to the G3 Solario S. scorer Raise a Grand (Ire) (Grand Lodge). From the family of the champion juvenile Numbered Account (Buckpasser), Plying's unraced 2-year-old filly Hooked On You (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) was a 130,000gns purchase by Creighton Schwartz Bloodstock at the Tattersalls December Yearling Sale and is owned by John and Jess Dance in training with Karl Burke. Her yearling colt by Dandy Man (Ire) was bought by Ballyhane for €80,000 at the Goffs November Foal Sale.

Wednesday, Goodwood, Britain
QATAR SUSSEX S.-G1, £1,000,000, Goodwood, 7-28, 3yo/up, 8fT, 1:42.83, sf.
1–ALCOHOL FREE (IRE), 123, f, 3, 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-J C Smith; B-Churchtown House Stud (IRE); T-Andrew Balding; J-Oisin Murphy. £567,100. Lifetime Record: 8-5-1-1, $1,378,006. *1/2 to Alexander James (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), SW-Fr. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Poetic Flare (Ire), 126, c, 3, Dawn Approach (Ire)–Maria Lee (Ire), by Rock of Gibraltar (Ire). O-Mrs J. S. Bolger; B/T-Jim Bolger (IRE). £215,000.
3–Snow Lantern (GB), 123, f, 3, Frankel (GB)–Sky Lantern (Ire), by Red Clubs (Ire). O/B-Rockcliffe Stud (GB); T-Richard Hannon. £107,600.
Margins: 1 3/4, 1 3/4, 3/4. Odds: 3.50, 1.38, 6.00.
Also Ran: Duhail (Ire), Order of Australia (Ire), Space Traveller (GB), Lope Y Fernandez (Ire), Century Dream (Ire), Tilsit. Scratched: Battleground, Chindit (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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No Nay Never’s Armor Impresses in the Molecomb

Al Shaqab Racing's Armor (GB) (No Nay Never) backed up an Apr. 24 maiden score at Doncaster with a close-up fifth, to the reopposing Chipotle (GB) (Havana Gold {Ire}), in Royal Ascot's June 16 Listed Windsor Castle S. and announced his arrival on the juvenile scene with a devastating closing burst to seal an impressive triumph in Wednesday's G3 Markel Molecomb S. at Goodwood. The 6-1 chance was sharply into stride from the stands' side stall and occupied a forward berth in sixth through the early fractions of this five-furlong dash. Nudged along to close soon after halfway, he was ridden to join the front rank passing the eighth pole and surged clear once engaging turbo under a drive inside the final 100 yards for a taking 3 1/4-length success from Fearby (Ire) (Havana Gold {Ire}).

“We have always thought a lot of him and he worked very well on Sunday morning,” revealed trainer Richard Hannon. “He ran very well at Royal Ascot, even though he still looked a little inexperienced, and he's won very well today. He was tapped for speed a little bit coming down to the furlong-and-a-half marker, but he would have loved that ground. Ryan [Moore] said he would like the ground, I think he knows what he's on about, and he did. He's not a big horse and, if he makes a 3-year-old, then great. This is his year and he is good enough now. I've not made too many flash entries for him, but we'll look at something like the [Aug. 22 G1] Prix Morny [at Deauville] and, maybe, the [Sept. 10 G2] Flying Childers [at Doncaster]. He will get six furlongs and we'll have to have a go at a Group 1 race over that trip now.”

Reflecting on the preformance of 13-8 favourite Fearby, rider PJ McDonald said of the runner-up, “He has run a brilliant race. He is an honest little horse, who has never run a bad race, and there is more to come from him. I challenged on the wing and he handled the ground, but he would be better on better ground.”

Armor is the latest of four foals and becomes the first stakes scorer for Hestia (Fr) (High Chaparral {Ire}), herself a winning daughter of Listed Prix La Sorellina second Tadorne (Fr) (Inchinor {Ire}). Tadorne, who also produced G2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano and G3 Prix Daphnis victor Pinson (Ire) (Halling), is kin to four black-type winners. They are G1 Grand Criterium third Ximb (Fr) (Septieme Ciel), G3 Prix Miesque and G3 Chartwell Fillies' S. placegetter Verba (Fr) (Anabaa), MGSP Listed Criterium du Bequet victrix Welcome Millenium (Fr) (Kendor {Fr}) and G3 Prix Miesque runner-up Kambura (Fr) (Literato {Fr}). Tadorne is also a half-sister to the dam of MGSW G1 2000 Guineas third Native Khan (Fr) (Azamour {Ire}).

Wednesday, Goodwood, Britain
MARKEL MOLECOMB S.-G3, £75,000, Goodwood, 7-28, 2yo, 5fT, :59.26, sf.
1–ARMOR (GB), 127, c, 2, by No Nay Never
1st Dam: Hestia (Fr), by High Chaparral (Ire)
2nd Dam: Perruche Grise (Fr), by Mark of Esteem (Ire)
3rd Dam: Tadorne (Fr), by Inchinor (GB)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (€55,000 Ylg '20 ARQDOY). O-Al Shaqab Racing; B-C E Stedman (GB); T-Richard Hannon; J-Ryan Moore. £42,533. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $63,378. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Fearby (Ire), 127, c, 2, Havana Gold (Ire)–Coolminx (Ire), by One Cool Cat. (13,000gns Wlg '19 TATFOA; 21,000gns Ylg '20 TAOCT). O-Clarendon Thoroughbred Racing; B-Ringfort Stud (IRE); T-Ed Bethell. £16,125.
3–Boonie (Ire), 127, c, 2, Brazen Beau (Aus)–Dice Game (GB), by Shamardal. O-Seymour Bloodstock & Mark Balnaves; B-Seymour Bloodstock (IRE); T-Kevin Ryan. £8,070.
Margins: 3 1/4, 3/4, 2 1/4. Odds: 6.00, 1.63, 9.00.
Also Ran: Nymphadora (GB), Mojomaker (Ire), Chipotle (GB), Kingboard Star (Ire), Swayze (GB), Arboy Will (GB), Kaboo, Chimgan (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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