hamster
20-06-2002, 13:26
Thought a few supporters might be interested ...
GRANDERA CROWNED ASCOT KING
Grandera rescued a potentially bleak week for Godolphin by continuing his owners' domination of the Prince Of Wales's Stakes with a dynamic performance at Royal Ascot on Wednesday.
He was only running as a reserve for Sheikh Mohammed's organisation, which had warned seven days ago that it had a "particularly weak team" for the Royal meeting.
But the colt who had lifted a big prize in Singapore just six weeks earlier grabbed the chance to come off the substitutes' bench and take a starring role at the season's most important fixture.
Ridden from behind by Frankie Dettori as stable-companion Sydenham set a strong pace, he simply cruised through the field in the straight and could be called the winner a long way from home.
The four-year-old hit the front over a furlong out and burst clear to score by a most emphatic five lengths from Indian Creek, with Banks Hill just beating Nayef for third place.
His success means Godolphin have won each of the three runnings of this 10-furlong race since it was promoted to Group One status, with Grandera emulating his owners' former stars Dubai Millennium and Fantastic Light.
And it brightened spirits in the camp after a blank first day, when they could not even muster a runner in the feature St James's Palace Stakes as Rock Of Gibraltar led home a one-two for big rivals Ballydoyle.
"We needed that! We came into the week thinking this wouldn't be such a good week - a win was going to be a massive bonus," said Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford. "We had a particularly weak team by our standards.
"Our three-year-olds are below the standard we would hope for but that's the name of the game. It's not easy. We've got some nice horses but we don't have a stable full of Rock Of Gribraltars but hopefully next year we will.
"We've got one ace here and we have got some others so don't write us off yet."
Crisford admitted that Grandera was only in the line-up as intended runner Noverre had failed to sparkle in the build-up to the race.
"He had been training very well and Noverre wasn't training as well so we thought 'let's go,"' he said.
"After Singapore we said we would give him a break and go straight for the the Arlington Million - he could still go for that.
"To win here and win that impressively you have got to be some sort of machine.
"He's in the King George, he's in everything, but maybe we will keep him in England."
Frankie Dettori was delighted to open his account for Royal Ascot 2002.
"There are only five Group One races at the meeting and to get one is so important," he said.
"I had great confidence in Grandera and he showed what a great prospect he is. He has an electric turn-of-foot."
David Elsworth was thrilled with runner-up Indian Creek.
"He's run the race of his life," the trainer said. "He's an improved horse and there's more to come."
GRANDERA CROWNED ASCOT KING
Grandera rescued a potentially bleak week for Godolphin by continuing his owners' domination of the Prince Of Wales's Stakes with a dynamic performance at Royal Ascot on Wednesday.
He was only running as a reserve for Sheikh Mohammed's organisation, which had warned seven days ago that it had a "particularly weak team" for the Royal meeting.
But the colt who had lifted a big prize in Singapore just six weeks earlier grabbed the chance to come off the substitutes' bench and take a starring role at the season's most important fixture.
Ridden from behind by Frankie Dettori as stable-companion Sydenham set a strong pace, he simply cruised through the field in the straight and could be called the winner a long way from home.
The four-year-old hit the front over a furlong out and burst clear to score by a most emphatic five lengths from Indian Creek, with Banks Hill just beating Nayef for third place.
His success means Godolphin have won each of the three runnings of this 10-furlong race since it was promoted to Group One status, with Grandera emulating his owners' former stars Dubai Millennium and Fantastic Light.
And it brightened spirits in the camp after a blank first day, when they could not even muster a runner in the feature St James's Palace Stakes as Rock Of Gibraltar led home a one-two for big rivals Ballydoyle.
"We needed that! We came into the week thinking this wouldn't be such a good week - a win was going to be a massive bonus," said Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford. "We had a particularly weak team by our standards.
"Our three-year-olds are below the standard we would hope for but that's the name of the game. It's not easy. We've got some nice horses but we don't have a stable full of Rock Of Gribraltars but hopefully next year we will.
"We've got one ace here and we have got some others so don't write us off yet."
Crisford admitted that Grandera was only in the line-up as intended runner Noverre had failed to sparkle in the build-up to the race.
"He had been training very well and Noverre wasn't training as well so we thought 'let's go,"' he said.
"After Singapore we said we would give him a break and go straight for the the Arlington Million - he could still go for that.
"To win here and win that impressively you have got to be some sort of machine.
"He's in the King George, he's in everything, but maybe we will keep him in England."
Frankie Dettori was delighted to open his account for Royal Ascot 2002.
"There are only five Group One races at the meeting and to get one is so important," he said.
"I had great confidence in Grandera and he showed what a great prospect he is. He has an electric turn-of-foot."
David Elsworth was thrilled with runner-up Indian Creek.
"He's run the race of his life," the trainer said. "He's an improved horse and there's more to come."