Opponents of Gifted Master will have to think hard about how to stop this machine after yet another trail-blazing performance which had the Royal meeting's G1 Commonwealth Cup stamped all over it. Expected to play second fiddle to Ballydoyle's Washington DC (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) under his three-pound penalty gained by winning the G3 Autumn S. over a mile at Newmarket in October, the bay was quickly into stride after an awkward break to carve out a significant lead by the time he'd traveled a furlong. Despite the close proximity of his rivals heading to the final quarter mile, he had more in the tank and ground out further advantage under Pat Smullen to hit the line with comfortable distance over well-beaten rivals with little excuses including the disappointing even-money favourite Washington DC. The only exception could be the eye-catching maiden winner Dream Dubai, who belied inexperience when making up sizeable ground towards the stand's side. Gifted Master, who had also slammed Ballydoyle's G2 Norfolk S. winner Waterloo Bridge (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) in both the £500,000 Tattersalls Millions 2yo Trophy over seven furlongs at Newmarket in October and the £100,000 Tattersalls Millions 3-y-o Sprint at this trip back there Apr. 13, is to remain sprinting for the immediate future. “I think we'll have to think about the [G2] Sandy Lane [S. at Haydock May 28], as he's the sort of horse that needs racing and we've got a month before that,” trainer Hugo Palmer commented. “We came here to find out if we should head to the [June 17] Commonwealth Cup. Unless Pat [Smullen] says go to seven furlongs, I expect it will be the Commonwealth Cup. I had it in my head, if the favourite had beaten us less than a length he'd probably still have come back for the Commonwealth Cup, but to be fair he's barely come off the bridle since he's been gelded and we've not ducked any engagement with him. The Commonwealth is his target and as I've said all along we'll look for the money wherever he goes, as he's never going to cover any mares, so he'll get an entry in the Sussex Stakes, Foret, Topkapi Trophy and Breeders' Cup Mile.”
Wednesday, Ascot, Britain
MERRIEBELLE STABLE PAVILION S.-G3, £80,000, ASC, 4-27, 3yo, 6fT, 1:14.54, g/s.
1–GIFTED MASTER (IRE), 130, g, 3, by Kodiac (GB)
1st Dam: Shobobb (GB), by Shamardal
2nd Dam: Belle Argentine (Fr), by Fijar Tango (Fr)
3rd Dam: Jarlina (GB), by Pharly (Fr)
(75,000gns Ylg '14 TATOCT). O-Dr Ali Ridha; B-Tally Ho Stud (IRE); T-Hugo Palmer; J-Pat Smullen. £45,368. Lifetime Record: GSW-Eng, 8-6-1-0, $646,602. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Dream Dubai (GB), 127, c, 3, Kyllachy (GB)–Welsh Anthem (GB), by Singspiel (Ire). (67,000gns Wlg '13 TATFOA; 55,000gns Ylg '14 TAOCT). O-Mr Malih L Albasti; B-Usk Valley Stud (GB); T-Sylvester Kirk. £17,200.
3–Gracious John (Ire), 127, c, 3, Baltic King (GB)–Dorn Hill (GB), by Lujain. (€10,000 2yo '15 ARJUL). O-Mr Terry Reffell; B-Skeaghmore Hill (IRE); T-David Evans. £8,608.
Margins: 2 1/4, 1HF, 3/4. Odds: 3.00, 16.00, 25.00.
Also Ran: Dhahmaan (Ire), C Note (Ire), Orvar (Ire), Washington Dc (Ire), Zebstar (Ire), Priceless (GB).
Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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