DOYLE TO THE FORE AGAIN
HE may be the understudy but James Doyle again took the starring role when partnering Naval Crown to victory in the Platinum Jubilee Stakes, on the final day of a packed Royal Ascot.
William Buick, who takes the leading role, opted for Creative Force, the runner-up, who like the winner is trained by Charlie Appleby for Godolphin.
It was understandable that Buick elected to partner Creative Force as he had beaten Naval Crown when the pair were first and second in last year’s Jersey Stakes at the Royal Meeting.
Appleby said: “I’ll be honest, William rode a piece of work with the pair and couldn’t split them.”
The cards have fallen in Doyle’s favour this year as he picked up the winning ride on Coroebus in the 2,000 Guineas when Buick opted to partner runner up-Native Trail.
Also, his victory in the 1,000 Guineas with Cachet was presented to him by Buick as he was the filly’s intended rider before being claimed for the unplaced Wild Beauty.
“It is really tough when you are going into the last day here without a winner,” said Doyle.
“Charlie said to me this morning, ‘Why are you looking so grumpy?’ I said, ‘I’m running out of bullets!’
“I would be lying if I said I expected him to win today but this fella has got me out of jail.”
The outcome was expected to be another celebration for the Australians with Home Affairs, but the 5-2 favourite ran too free.
However, compatriot Artorius ran a blinder to dead-heat with Campanelle for third place.
Buick and Appleby had earlier been expected to take the Hardwicke Stakes with Hurricane Lane but the colt had no answer to the front-running Broome when finishing third.
It was a masterclass of riding from the front by Ryan Moore on the Aidan O’Brien-trained colt.
Moore adopted contrasting tactics when arriving late on Rohaan when bagging the Wokingham Stakes.
Moore was the leading jockey at the meeting for the ninth time after partnering seven winners.
Rohaan, who became the first horse this century to make it back-to-back victories in the race, is lucky to be alive after an accident on the gallops.
Buick, also on the mark with Noble Truth in the Jersey Stakes, completed a double when Stratum won the Queen Alexandra Stakes for the second time.