Battaash sprints into Ascot picture but Elarqam fails test
Romanized attacks late to deny O’Brien a 12th victory in 2,000 Guineas
It was a day of contrasting fortunes for leading owner Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, on a busy afternoon’s racing across the UK.
While star sprinter Battaash made a winning seasonal debut by taking out the Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock Park in the North West of England, strongly fancied Elarqam could only finish sixth in the Group 1 Irish 2,000 Guineas at The Curragh.
Sent off as a 2/1 favourite to give Shaikh Hamdan a second success in the mile contest for three-year-olds, the regallybred Elarqam looked in all sorts of trouble despite breaking well and never settled under jockey Jim Crowley.
Fourth in the English 2,000 Guineas (G1) at Newmarket Racecourse earlier this month on what was only his third career start, a lot was expected from the son of Frankel who looked open to improvement since his last start.
But it was not to be as 25/1 outsider Romanized swooped late for jockey Shane Foley to deny Irish handler Aidan O’Brien a 12th victory in the 2,000 Guineas with US Navy Flag, who finished runner-up.
“It is magic and I am in a bit of shock,” said trainer Ken Condon who was claiming his first Classic success.
“We are only a small team but we always had a bit of faith in this horse.
“He was a big price and we felt he would win a big race someday.”
Godolphin hope fades
Godolphin’s Syncopation, looked to have every chance in the race but could not find the acceleration that jockey William Buick was looking for in the closing stages of the race, before finishing fourth.
However, despite The Curragh disappointment for Shaikh Hamdan, there was a lot to look forward with Battaash, who showed plenty of battling qualities to win a strongly contested renewal of the Temple Stakes.
Almost 28 years to the day the great Dayjur won the fivefurlong sprint, which acts as a prep for the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, the following month, Battaash, will be taking the same route for trainer Charlie Hills.
Meanwhile at York, one of seven English racecourse hosting quality race meetings, the John Gosden-trained Precious Ramotswe was an exciting winner of the Group 3 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Bronte Cup Fillies’ Stakes for jockey Roger Havlin.
The winner triumphed in a tight finish with French raider, Do Re Me Fa Sol, the mount of Tony Hamilton.