By Peter Moore at Ascot Wednesday 1st May 2024
Flat racing resumed at Ascot for the new season, with Royal Ascot Trials Day on a super afternoon’s racing.
For a second successive year, Coltrane completed back to back victories in the Longines Sagaro Stakes run over 2m.
The seven year old was a winner of this race last year, but struggled in the latter part of his campaign.
His return to action saw a disappointing run from the gelding after finishing well down the field in his latest outing in the Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan over 2m in March.
However, Andrew Blading’s decision to apply first time cheekpieces seemed to work after claiming a narrow victory by a head from Caius Chorister.
“I think there was a concern whether the fire was still there, but I think it certainly was,” said Balding.
“He was in front longer than Oisin probably wanted to be, but he was really brave there at the end. He’s a fighter and a star really. We train horses so we can come across one like him and he keeps producing. He loves Ascot and has run one bad race here and that’s it, so we’ll look forward to coming back here in June.”
In the Commonwealth Cup Trial Stakes, Jasour returned back to winning ways under Jim Crowley for Clive Cox.
The three-year-old was an noteworthy juvenile last summer when winning the July Stakes at Newmarket, but since then has suffered a knock to his confidence with some disappointing runs.
“I think he got a little bit frightened as a juvenile, so we’ve worked and worked and he had some precious turnout up until Christmas at home, and I’m just pleased the plan has come off,” said Cox.
“He’s come back in here with a completely different look in his eye, an understanding that life’s not that difficult if he gets it right.
“I was very disappointed things hadn’t worked out at the end of last year but he’s his own person, and it was so rewarding to see him do that today. Winning was a super bonus I wasn’t entirely sure would happen. It’s very special.”
It was a good afternoon for last season’s champion jockey William Buick who brought up a double after steering Quddwah and Diamond Rain to victory.
Quddwah continued his unbeaten run, maintaining his one hundred per cent with a narrow neck victory over Docklands. With Buick bringing up his double on the afternoon with the Charlie Appleby trained debutant Diamond rain who got up to win by a head in the fillies novice stakes run over a mile.
Devon trainer Rod Millman who has a small yard in the west country was a happy man after saddling Woolhampton to win in the Naas Racecourse handicap over five furlongs.
The four year old filly held on to win by a neck after being given a wonderful ride from seven pound claimer Oliver Searle.