RACING ROYAL ASCOT: TEN DAYS after Derby frustration at Epsom it took only 99 seconds for Mastercraftsman to get Ballydoyle's Group 1 bandwagon back on track with a thrilling success in the St James's Palace Stakes.
Unlike the classic fall out of appearing to get some tactical knickers in a twist, yesterday’s strategy worked out perfectly as one of Mastercraftsman’s two stable companions, Set Sail, guaranteed a tempo to suit Aidan O’Brien’s odds on favourite.
However no number of stable companions could help the Irish 2,000 Guineas hero once Johnny Murtagh went for home early in the straight. A triple-Group 1 winner already, Mastercraftsman was required to show grit as well as class and he delivered in spades.
At the furlong pole Delegator pounced to go a neck up but his Irish rival refused to be beaten and fought back with a tenacity to echo the 2000 winner of this race, Giants Causeway, one of five previous O’Brien trained St James’s Palace Stakes winners.
“I think he is a true champion the way he did it today,” reported Murtagh after Mastercraftsman failed by just half a second to beat Henrythenavigator’s course record. “He tried 110 per cent and like all the great horses I’ve ridden for Ballydoyle he never knows when he’s beaten.”
Mastercraftsman is fast becoming the centrepiece of O’Brien’s 2009 campaign and the champion trainer said a step up to a mile and a quarter shouldn’t be a problem to the grey colt. “He is unbelievably brave and he’s got speed and stamina, and can go on soft or fast,” O’Brien said. “He’s an amazing horse.”
What must have seemed almost as amazing yesterday was that Richard Hughes’s mount in the St James’s Palace, Soul City, finished out of the money because the Kildare born rider enjoyed a remarkably successful afternoon with an 88-1 treble.
It kicked off with a Group 1 success in the Queen Anne Stakes as Paco Boy put to bed any doubts about his stamina at a mile in the highest class.
As the favourite Gladiatorus quickly faded, a queue of contenders lined up but none going better than Paco Boy, finishing a length and a half ahead.
“That will put a few jokers to bed,” quipped trainer Richard Hannon in relation to those who felt Paco Boy wouldn’t stay.
Hughes then pounced late on Judgethemomentin the marathon Ascot Stakes. Canford Cliffs won the Coventry Stakes by six easy lengths with some bookmakers now making him an 8-1 favourite for next year’s 2,000 Guineas.
“If he was trained by Aidan he’d be 4-6,” joked Hannon.
“He’s the best I’ve ridden by far, a freak,” said jockey Hughes. “I’ve never had a horse run away with me in a race and win.”
Added to the Ascot cocktail yesterday were a Group 1 success for Australia in the Kings Stands as Scenic Blast justified a gamble for Perth-based Dan Morton. He is now as low as 3-1 favourite to complete a top-flight double in Saturday’s Golden Jubilee Stakes.
The Americans also struck in the concluding Windsor Castle Stakes as Strike The Tiger scored under Johnny Velazquez for trainer Wes Ward.
