The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Stradivarius helps Atzeni hit right note
Andrea Atzeni had an incredible 8,344-1 four-timer with Expert Eye, Breton Rock, Stradivarius and Shenanigans on the opening day of Glorious Goodwood.
Stradivarius was the highlight, as John Gosden’s young upstart denied the Michael Bell-trained Big Orange an unprecedented hat-trick of victories in the Qatar Goodwood Cup.
In a battle of the generations, as well as two Royal Ascot winners, the Queen’s Vase scorer beat the Gold Cup hero in a memorable running of the twomile feature, which was newlypromoted to Group One status this year.
Stradivarius got the better of the front-running Big Orange by a length and three-quarters to become the first three-year-old winner since Lucky Moon in 1990.
Gosden has won the St Leger four times and all roads lead to Doncaster once more, with the 6-1 winner quoted at 5-1 with the Classic sponsors, William Hill.
Expert Eye (7-4 favourite) looked a bit special in the Qatar Vintage Stakes, as the Sir Michael Stoute-trained juvenile spreadeagled the opposition to win by four and a half lengths from Zaman.
The in-form rider brought Breton Rock from last to first to produce a 50-1 upset in the Qatar Lennox Stakes.
After scooping the three big prizes, Atzeni also had the last laugh when scoring on the Roger Varian-trained Shenanigans (15-2) in the Smarter Bets With Matchbook Betting Exchange Fillies’ Handicap.
Bell’s Queen’s Fabricate (20-1) was awarded the Matchbook Betting Exchange Handicap in the stewards’ room.
Ed Dunlop’s Dark Red was first past the post, but was demoted for causing interference.
His rider Oisin Murphy was hit with an eight-day suspension.
He will be out from August 15-22.