By Tom Frary
Anything other than a clear-cut success in Saturday's G3 Al Rayyan S., or Aston Park S. as it is registered, would have been a disappointment for TDN Rising Star Crystal Ocean (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) and he duly delivered with a commanding six-length defeat of Second Step (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}). Tackling the fastest turf he has encountered so far at a sun-baked Newbury, last year's G1 St Leger runner-up tracked the early pace under Ryan Moore before being asked to take over approaching the final two furlongs. Staying on strongly to the line, the 2-5 favourite looked all over a specialist at this distance and his jockey confirmed that impression. “A mile and a half is his trip,” he said. “He did nothing but improve last year and did what he was entitled to do. He's just a nice progressive horse who will continue to do better. He's a good mover and is very straightforward, so ground is not really an issue.” Sir Michael Stoute, who was enjoying a sixth edition, added, “He's very consistent and usually pleases,” he said. “We've got him in the [June 20 G1] Prince of Wales's [at Royal Ascot], the [G2] Hardwicke [at Royal Ascot June 23] and the [G1] Eclipse [at Sandown July 7], so we'll try and work it out.”
The winner is another to bear the “Crystal” title begun with Anthony Oppenheimer's Crystal Cavern
(Be My Guest) who is the second dam and who proved an inspired acquisition by the De Rothschild family. Her SW and GSP daughter Crystal Star (GB) (Mark of Esteem {Ire}) has proved a stellar producer, with the high-class Crystal Capella (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) leading the way when capturing the G2 Princess of Wales's S. and two renewals of the old G2 Pride S. which has now metamorphosed into the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares S. Also the dam of the GI Canadian International and G2 King Edward VII S. hero Hillstar (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and the useful listed scorer Crystal Zvezda (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), she has one who could potentially surpass them all in Crystal Ocean. This is also the family of the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Rose Gypsy (GB) (Green Desert), the G1 Prix d'Ispahan winner Sasuru (GB) (Most Welcome {GB}) and the GI Gamely S. winner Tuscan Evening (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}).
Saturday, Newbury, Britain
AL RAYYAN S. (ASTON PARK S.)-G3, £100,000, Newbury, 5-19, 4yo/up, 12fT, 2:35.69, g/f.
1–CRYSTAL OCEAN (GB), 129, c, 4, by Sea the Stars (Ire)
1st Dam: Crystal Star (GB) (SW & GSP-Eng), by Mark of Esteem (Ire)
2nd Dam: Crystal Cavern, by Be My Guest
3rd Dam: Krisalya (GB), by Kris (GB)
O-Sir Evelyn de Rothschild; B-Southcourt Stud (GB); T-Sir Michael Stoute; J-Ryan Moore. £56,710. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Eng, 8-4-2-2, $472,875. *1/2 to Hillstar (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), Hwt. 3yo-Eng at 11-14f, GISW-Can, MGSW & G1SP-Eng, $1,221,978; Crystal Capella (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), Hwt. Older Mare-Eng at 9.5-11f & MGSW-Eng, $550,532; and Crystal Zvezda (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), SW-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Second Step (Ire), 126, g, 7, Dalakhani (Ire)–My Dark Rosaleen (GB), by Sadler's Wells. O/B-Merry Fox Stud Ltd (IRE); T-Roger Charlton. £21,500.
3–Scarlet Dragon (GB), 126, g, 5, Sir Percy (GB)–Welsh Angel (GB), by Dubai Destination. (38,000gns Wlg '13 TATFOA; 32,000gns Ylg '14 TAOCT). O-HP Racing Scarlet Dragon; B-Usk Valley Stud (GB); T-Alan King. £10,760.
Margins: 6, 1HF, 2 3/4. Odds: 0.40, 5.00, 20.00.
Also Ran: Raheen House (Ire), Buildmeupbuttercup (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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