Crowning Glory
JUBI-GLEE FOR APPLEBY AS NAVAL PIPS FORCE IN GODOLPHIN ONE-TWO
NAVAL CROWN exacted Royal Ascot revenge on his stablemate Creative Force to spring a 33-1 shock and keep the Platinum Jubilee Stakes at home.
Twelve months ago, it was Creative Force who came out on top for the Charlie Appleby stable in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes over seven furlongs.
The Godolphin pair hurtled towards the conclusion of the six-furlong Group 1 split by the width of the track – but the photo finish showed Naval Crown and James Doyle, racing under the stands’ rail, to have gained the verdict by a neck.
While Australian challenger and 5-2 favourite Home Affairs weakened to finish 20th of the 24 starters – the field also included runners from Ireland and Japan – compatriot Artorius rattled home from the back under Jamie
Spencer to share third place with last year’s promoted Commonwealth Cup winner, American raider Campanelle.
The winner, fourth in last year’s 2,000 Guineas, had spent his career racing at seven furlongs and a mile before a fourth in the top-tier Al Quoz Sprint on his first try at six furlongs on Meydan’s Dubai World Cup undercard in March.
“One thing that Naval Crown had coming into the race was that he was still learning the sprinting game,” said Appleby.
“He’d only sprinted once in his life. This is a stiff six furlongs and we knew there would be plenty of pace. I just said, ‘Hang on to the coat-tails of them if you can. I’m not saying we’re good enough to beat the Australians, but he will finish’. Naval Crown is cutting his teeth at the sprinting division, and he is learning fast.
“It was just like the Jersey last year – they were ding-donging away with
themselves – and I see no reason why we shouldn’t be going to the July Cup.”
Paddy Power quote Creative Force at 7-1 for the feature race of Newmarket’s July Festival in 20 days’ time, with Naval Crown 8-1. Doyle beat best friend
William Buick to add to his victory for the same connections’ Blue Point three years ago.
“This race is one of the highlights of the week, so to be able to win it again, it’s great,” said the jockey, scoring at the meeting for the first time.
“Charlie said to me this morning, ‘Why are you looking so grumpy?’ I said, ‘I’m running out of bullets!’
“So for this fella to get us out of jail is brilliant.”
But Appleby’s Irish Derby and St Leger hero Hurricane Lane was out of luck on his return in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes, the 8-11 hotpot toiling in third behind Broome, who gave Aidan O’brien a milestone 900th success in Group or Graded company.
The win secured the top trainer award for O’brien and Ryan Moore – who ended the fixture as leading rider – said: “The rhythm was beautiful – he just flowed and lengthened.”