Naval Power outguns rivals in Pat Eddery Stakes
Dubai: Naval Power maintained his unbeaten record with a scintillating performance in the Listed Pat Eddery Stakes at the Ascot on Saturday.
The Teofilo homebred, making a third straight appearance over seven furlongs following novice victories at Yarmouth and Leicester, soon tracked Finn’s Charm in second as all five juvenile colts raced up the centre of the course.
Naval Power loomed up to dispute the running two furlongs out and streaked clear when asked to win his race by William Buick soon ater, hiting the line powerfully to prevail by six and a half lengths.
Trainer Charlie Appleby said: “Naval Power pleased us on his first start at Yarmouth and we were confident when he ran at Leicester. We were very confident coming here today that the stiff seven furlongs with some pace in the race would suit.
“We have seen today that Naval Power is an exciting horse and I feel that there is going to be further improvement again when he steps up to a mile. His ultimate aim will be a G1 over a mile in the autumn and it’s a question of whether we take in another race over seven furlongs between now and then.”
Meanwhile, Nostalgic accrued some hugely valuable G1 Black Type as she took third behind Nest and Secret Oath in the Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga.
Making her first appearance since finishing 10th behind the same two fillies in the Kentucky Oaks, Nostalgic disputed the early running with Secret Oath and Nest before Society squeezed up the inside rail to take a slender advantage ater the first quarter-mile.
All four continued to be tightly grouped until Nest and Secret Oath quickened clear turning for home, leaving the Bill Mot-trained Nostalgic and Society to batle it out for the minor honours.
Society poked her head in front of Nostalgic at the top of the straight but the Godolphin homebred rallied to regain third entering the final furlong, despite driting onto the inside rail.
Nostalgic kept on under Junior Alvarado to get within three lengths of Secret Oath, who herself was beaten by just over 12 lengths by the dominant winner Nest.
Royal Ascot winner Dubai Future gained another placing at G2 level when coming home third in the York Stakes at York. The Saeed Bin Suroor-trained six-year-old, runner-up in the 2021 G2 Dubai City Of Gold, raced in third behind Dark Moon Rising and Claymore throughout the first half of the 10-furlong feature.
Dubai Honour relegated Dubai Future to a close fourth entering the home straight, with the Godolphin runner staying on down the stands’ rail to deliver a strong challenge entering the final quarter-mile.
Dubai Future was briefly denied a clear run by the wayward Dubai Honour over a furlong out before keeping on at the same pace under Adam Kirby to go down by four lengths in total.
Suroor said: “Dubai Future ran well but the ground didn’t really suit as it was a bit loose on top. We will try and find another Group race for him.”
Sundoro secured some valuable G3 Black Type when chasing home Riocorvo in the Grand Prix de Vichy.
The four-year-old homebred, a Listed winner at Lion d’angers on her previous outing for Henri-alex Pantall, raced in a clear fourth for much of the 10-furlong contest as Diamond Vendome led the six runners.
Sundoro stayed on to take third as Riocorvo took up the running approaching the final furlong and hit the line strongly under Mickael Barzalona, snatching second from Diamond Vendome in the shadow of the post to go down by three lengths.