Lonhro's Cardsharp Wins the July Stakes

Early indications are that there is little between the form of Royal Ascot's G2 Norfolk S. and G2 Coventry S. and it was one who emerged from the former contest who had the bragging rights here in Cardsharp. Third and two lengths behind Sioux Nation (Scat Daddy) in that five-furlong test of raw speed, the bay proved adaptable with this strong-staying effort over one of the stiffest examinations of stamina in the country. Leading two others up the centre of track early as U S Navy Flag was in front of the main bunch stand's side, he gradually crossed over after gaining a narrow lead with two furlongs remaining and stuck on gamely to assert from that Ballydoyle raider. The Coventry winner Rajasinghe was racing under a penalty and looked for a while as if he would be disappointing, but stayed on late to make the frame and suggest that extra distance will suit.

Cardsharp had debuted over an extended five when making all at Brighton May 3 before running fourth in an Ascot novice race 10 days later and runner-up to De Bruyne Horse (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) in Epsom's six-furlong Woodcote S. which is now downgraded from listed status June 2. Back eight days later to earn his Royal Ascot tilt by making all in Beverley's Brian Yeardley Continental Two-Year-Old Trophy Conditions S. also at five, the homebred had only 12 days's breathing space to the Norfolk and duly entered this race with almost veteran status among the juveniles. “We've been umming and ahhing over his trip and had chopped and changed, but he showed so much speed at Beverley and tired at the end so we switched from the Coventry to the Norfolk and clearly we were wrong,” trainer Mark Johnston said. “He was better for six furlongs today and is a tall rangy horse–when I was putting the jockey up today I did look at him and wonder what I had been doing running him over five. I wouldn't rule out seeing him over further later in the season.” Jockey James Doyle added, “He hit the line very well and felt a different horse today. In the Norfolk, he was up there under sufferance only and he travelled much smoother here. Six is definitely his right trip, as he has a strong cruising speed and can quicken well off that.”

Kevin Buckley, Coolmore's UK representative, said of U S Navy Flag, “He is laid-back and he travelled over really well. We were very happy with that run. Ryan Moore planned to jump out and make plenty of use with him. He lost an off-fore shoe and we are not making excuses, that is just a fact of what happened. He only won his maiden 12 days ago, so you can see he is a durable animal. Hopefully his full-sister Roly Poly can keep the good run up for the family tomorrow.” Of Rajasinghe, trainer Richard Spencer commented, “We were disappointed that he didn't win, but he put up a brave effort to finish third. He is going to get further, as I've said all along, and the ultimate aim is a mile in next year's Guineas. We will probably step him up next time. Whether we go to Goodwood for a potential go at the [Aug. 1 G2] Vintage Stakes, we will see how he is, but the owner bought him to enjoy, not stand in his box.”

Cardsharp is one of four winners from as many foals to race out of a daughter of the G3 Princess Margaret S. winner Saintly Speech. She is herself the second dam of the G3 Park Express S. and G3 C L Weld Park S. scorer Chrysanthemum (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), whose Cunco (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) captured this year's G3 Sandown Classic Trial. The third dam is the Garden City Budweiser Breeders's Cup S. winner Eloquent Minister (Deputy Minister), responsible for the Naruo Kinen-winning sire Maruka Diesis and the G3 Prix du Calvados scorer Woodland Melody (Woodman). Next up from the useful Pure Illusion is a yearling colt by New Approach (Ire).

Thursday, Newmarket, Britain
ARQANA JULY S.-G2, £80,000, NEW, 7-13, 2yo, c/g, 6fT, 1:11.75, gd.
1–#@CARDSHARP (GB), 126, c, 2, by Lonhro (Aus)
1st Dam: Pure Illusion (Ire), by Danehill
2nd Dam: Saintly Speech, by Southern Halo
3rd Dam: Eloquent Minister, by Deputy Minister
O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum; B-Godolphin (GB); T-Mark Johnston; J-James Doyle. £45,368. Lifetime Record: 6-3-1-1, $107,287. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–U S Navy Flag, 126, c, 2, War Front">War Front–Misty For Me (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Misty For Me Syndicate (KY); T-Aidan O'Brien. £17,200.[bullet ad=”irt-shell”][bullet ad=”us-bred-ky-bred”]3–Rajasinghe (Ire), 129, c, 2, Choisir (Aus)–Bunditten (Ire), by Soviet Star. (€65,000 Wlg '15 GOFNOV; £85,000 Ylg '16 GOUKPR). O-Rebel Racing; B-James & Geoff Mulcahy (IRE); T-Richard Spencer. £8,608.
Margins: 1 3/4, 3/4, HD. Odds: 8.00, 10.00, 3.30.
Also Ran: Invincible Army (Ire), Alba Power (Ire), Enjazaat (GB), Roland Rocks (Ire), Grand Koonta (Ire), Denaar (Ire), It Dont Come Easy (Ire), Sound and Silence (GB), Hey Gaman (GB)S. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.