By Tom Frary
The subject of the latest masterclass in the saddle by Silvestre de Sousa, Communique (Ire) (Casamento {Ire}) had things entirely to suit in front virtually from the outset and proved too strong for last year's winner Defoe (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}) in Saturday's G2 Roaring Lion Jockey Club S. at Newmarket. In a contest that can throw up surprises, last year's Listed Godolphin S. winner who traded at 12-1 was there to be shot at throughout but always appeared happy and thriving so typical of the stable's runners at the head of affairs. At the line, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum's bay had 1 1/4 lengths to spare over Defoe, with the fellow Johnston trainee Mildenberger (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) 2 1/4 lengths away in third. “He's a nice horse when he gets his ground and last time [when seventh in the G3 John Porter S.] he blew up at Newbury,” de Sousa commented. “I had my way in front and he's still improving.”
Saturday, Newmarket, Britain
ROARING LION JOCKEY CLUB S.-G2, £100,000, Newmarket, 5-4, 4yo/up, 12fT, 2:33.49, gd.
1–COMMUNIQUE (IRE), 127, c, 4, by Casamento (Ire)
1st Dam: Midnight Line (MGSW & G1SP-Eng, GSW & GISP-US, GISP-Can, $456,440), by Kris S.
2nd Dam: Midnight Air, by Green Dancer
3rd Dam: Evening Air, by J. O. Tobin
1ST GROUP WIN. O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum; B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Mark Johnston; J-Silvestre de Sousa. £56,710. Lifetime Record: 18-6-4-1, $350,435. Werk Nick Rating: C. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Defoe (Ire), 127, g, 5, Dalakhani (Ire)–Dulkashe (Ire), by Pivotal (GB). O-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum; B-Darley (IRE); T-Roger Varian. £21,500.
3–Mildenberger (GB), 127, c, 4, Teofilo (Ire)–Belle Josephine (GB), by Dubawi (Ire). O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum; B-Godolphin (GB); T-Mark Johnston. £10,760.
Margins: 1 1/4, 2 1/4, 2. Odds: 12.00, 3.50, 6.50.
Also Ran: Coronet (GB), Red Verdon, Young Rascal (Fr), Maid Up (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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