FIRST FOR THE QUEEN
Impressive Stoute-trained colt now 20-1 for the Derby
RYAN MOORE made a special day for The Queen even sweeter by winning on her horse First Receiver at Kempton.
On the 67th anniversary of her coronation, the 11-8 favourite burst into the Derby picture with an emphatic triumph in the Unibet-backed mile maiden.
Given the office on his royal appointment, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained gelding powered on by seven lengths, leaving his nine rivals toiling.
Impressed bookies gave him quotes of 20-1 for Epsom on July 4 and Moore said: “He is a very straightforward colt and hopefully he will do well.”
The Derby, sponsored by international banking and wealth management group Investec, is run after Royal Ascot this year.
The Queen’s favourite meeting keeps its usual slot (June 16-20) and is set to go-ahead without the longest-reigning monarch in attendance.
Frankie Dettori will be one of the select few allowed through the gates and his only ride of the day at the London course, Galsworthy, got the job done.
In front of just a handful of spectators, the popular Italian celebrated in his usual bold style, punching the air in delight with both arms.
After the four-length success in the Unibet Casino Deposit £10 Get £40 Bonus Maiden Stakes over 1m 4f, Dettori said: “It’s good [to be back], I’m away from home!
“Galsworthy is very laid back, he did everything I asked and I’d like to see him on turf. He’s a big horse and probably needed it.”
Champion jockey Oisin Murphy had to settle for second in the first two-year-old race of the Flat season, which went the way of the Mark Johnstontrained Army Of India (7-2).
Murphy’s well-supported mount Science was fractious at the start and although he eventually had his mind on the job, he could not get by the determined winner.
Winning rider Joe Fanning said: “He had done good work at home and we fancied him strongly.
“We would have been disappointed if he wasn’t there or thereabouts.” Johnston also had a juvenile winner at Newcastle, the venue for racing’s coronavirus comeback meeting on Monday.
Pelekai made all the running under Franny Norton in the Betway Heed Your Hunch/ British Stallion Studs EBF Race Maiden Fillies’ Stakes over five furlongs.
Hollie Doyle and Archie Watson celebrated a double on the card, featuring Canagat’s determined effort in the Betway Casino Handicap in which the first three sprinted clear.
Rider Ben Curtis also recorded a brace and his winner Dandalla (7-1) booked her place at Royal Ascot, thanks to a clear-cut success in the first division of the fillies’ maiden.