In a race perfectly crafted by a trio of runners for a Godolphin operation that is meeting lofty expectations at this year's Royal meeting, it was Hawkbill (Kitten's Joy) who emerged firmly on top to lead home a one-two in the royal blue as Prize Money (GB) (Authorized {GB}) proved the chief danger.
Kept mainly to the Polytrack at two, the chestnut followed a seven-furlong maiden win at Lingfield in July with an impressive nursery success over that trip at Kempton the following month before beating the subsequent listed winner Steel of Madrid (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) in a mile conditions race at the latter venue in September. Denied a run in America at the end of the year, he trained in Dubai over the winter and showed the benefit of that on his return when beating Abdon (GB) (Cacique {Ire}) in the Apr. 30 Listed Newmarket S. over this trip and was pulled out of the reckoning for the G1 Prix du Jockey Club after the torrential rain at Chantilly June 5.
Always travelling with intent in third behind the operation's Race Day (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) stormed to an early lead from Prize Money in the white cap, the 11-2 shot was sent passed the latter with just under two furlongs remaining and appeared to idle when in the clear en route to a 1 1 /4-length success over the Saeed bin Suroor trainee.
“Martin Lane [on Race Day] rode a beautiful race in front and it was always going to suit us where we were,” commented William Buick. “I have always thought a lot of this fellow and he got taken out of the French Derby because of the ground, but he seemed to handle it here today. He has a big future ahead of him and this is huge, as there is such a big team behind it.”
Trainer Charlie Appleby added, “He's done a lot of travelling for his age, as we took him to America last year and unfortunately he didn't get a run so we took him to Dubai and he strengthened and developed out there and enjoyed his track work. We didn't know what type of horse we were dealing with until we went to Newmarket last time and I deliberately chose that race to keep him close to home. He's grown up so much for that and William [Buick] has always been so complimentary about him and said that for a horse that stays he's got gears as well. He gave him a great ride and I am very confident he'll step up trip in time. I'm delighted to get a winner on the board. Full credit to the team at home, as they've done a great job in keeping him cool. We'll get back and regroup. He's growing up all the time and is not a horse I'd want to keep going to the well with too often so we'll let him get over this first and worry about the future later.”
Hawkbill is the second foal and first black-type winner for Trensa, whose dam Serape (Fappiano) landed the GI Ballerina S. and is also the dam of Trensa's MGSW three-parts sister Batique (by Storm Cat). The next dam is the SW & MGISP Mochila (In Reality), herself a half-sister to the Breeders' Cup Mile-winning champion and leading sire Cozzene. Trensa has a 2-year-old filly by Hard Spun named Hard Cloth, a yearling colt by Union Rags and was bred to Curlin this year.
Thursday, Royal Ascot, Britain
TERCENTENARY S.-G3, £90,000, ASC, 6-16, 3yo, 10fT, 2:09.59, sf.
1–@HAWKBILL, 126, c, 3, by Kitten's Joy
1st Dam: Trensa (GSP-US, $170,470), by Giant's Causeway
2nd Dam: Serape, by Fappiano
3rd Dam: Mochila, by In Reality
($350,000 Ylg '14 KEESEP). O-Godolphin; B-Helen K Groves Revocable Trust (KY); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. £51,039. Lifetime Record: 7-5-0-1, $124,728. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.[bullet ad=”gainesway-consigned-by”][bullet ad=”kbif-g2g3″][bullet ad=”us-bred-ky-bred-keen-grad”]2–Prize Money (GB), 126, c, 3, Authorized (Ire)–Dresden Doll, by Elusive Quality. O-Godolphin; B-Darley (GB); T-Saeed bin Suroor. £19,350.
3–Long Island Sound, 126, c, 3, War Front">War Front–Treasure Trail, by Pulpit. ($800,000 Wlg '13 KEENOV). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Joseph Allen; B-Edward A Cox (KY); T-Aidan O'Brien. £9,684.[bullet ad=”irt-shell”][bullet ad=”us-bred-ky-bred-keen-grad”]Margins: 1 1/4, 2 3/4, 1 3/4. Odds: 5.50, 4.00, 4.50.
Also Ran: Steel of Madrid (Ire), Royal Artillery, Race Day (Ire), Blue de Vega (Ger), Abdon (GB), Mulk (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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