By Peter Moore at Sandown Wednesday September 16th 2026

Picture: Good Earth by Peter Moore

Godolphin’s red-hot form continued when Cerro Blanco took the Listed Fortune Stakes, the feature race of the card at Sandown on Wednesday.

Charlie Appleby and William Buick combined to win two Grade 1 races in Canada over the weekend.

The three-year-old colt took his record to three wins from four starts in promising style after showing a clean pair of heals to his rivals to win by one and three quarter lengths.

“It was a step up on what he’s previously done and that mile can be a tricky track for an inexperienced horse,” Buick said. “I couldn’t really get in anywhere I wanted to, but we were on the fresher ground and he was comfortable out there.

“He was relaxed and happy covering that ground and everything was very, very smooth. I think he was a good bit superior and there were horses in the race with proven stakes form. It was only his fourth start, so I was very pleased with what he did.”

“Charlie will sit down with the team and make a decision as to where he goes next,” Buick added. “There’s obviously plenty of the season left but also you’d imagine he’ll be a lovely prospect for next year as well. I think he’s comfortable at a mile for now, but you’d have to think there’s a chance he could get ten furlongs.”

Chymbulak still has a fair way to go to be as good as his brother champion miler Charyn, but he took a significant step forward with victory in the mile maiden.

Going up in trip, the round mile suited the two-year-old who was prominent early before taking the lead over 5f out. He was headed over 2f out but soon rallied against the far rail when ridden and led again inside final furlong to score by three quarters of a length.

Trainer Roger Varian was complimentary of his relaxed demeanour in the aftermath. “His brother was gutsy so he’s got the same tough genes,” he said. “He’s got a long way to go to match what Charyn did, but it was nice to get him off the mark.

“He’s very green and laid-back, he went around there with his ears pricked like he was hacking. He’s a big horse who is still finding his feet so we’d be hopeful about next year. I think he can have another run in October. He’s fine at a mile for now but he’ll get further.”

James Doyle rode two easy winners on the card as El Morjan made all in the 7f novice stakes before Asset came from last to first to land the 1m2f handicap.

El Morjan caused an upset after going off at 22-1 for the Gosden’s, but bolted up by four and a quarter lengths.

Doyle had a much more difficult ride on Asset who hung to his left in the closing stages, but managed to get the better of Sergei Breeze by one and three quarter lengths.

Godolphin’s Cerro Blanco made it three wins out of four runs by scoring in the 1m Class 1 Listed Race.

The colt had already shown promise in three previous attempts at 7f. The extra furlong looks ideal for the horse who kept up a cracking September for the Charlie Appleby yard who is currently winning with half of his runners.

Nine-year-old Good Earth certainly enjoys his racing. The gelding was making his 107th start for the Michael Herrington yard and continued his love for Sandown after bringing up his third win at the course by a length and a half from Control Room.

The name of the horse Good Earth is named after a local Chinese restaurant in Esher high street. No doubt a few people will be in the eating establishment tonight celebrating the veteran’s victory.