Where to start on an excellent day at Glorious Goodwood; the weather decided to turn wet for what was set to be a fantastic day of action up on the downs. With the Richmond Stakes and Goodwood Cup as the main focus, the stage was set for a tremendous days racing.
The Richmond field looked to be an interesting contest on paper and it duly delivered. The Godolphin owned Blue Point went off odds on favourite, with Intelligence Cross second choice and Mehmas the 7/2 third pick. They travelled in a tight group the field of four, the two market leaders led the way, with Frankie Dettori stalking them. Running down into the dip, Blue Point got first run and duly kicked but the tenacity and fighting spirit of Mehmas saw him draw upsides and forge clear in the closing stages. ‘He is a pleasure to train and is a real fighter when it comes down to a battle. He keeps on improving and looks a horse who would have no problem staying seven furlongs. I am very pleased to be able to win this for Sheikh Joaan at his own meeting. I will speak to the team and see where we head next, but the Prix Morny and the National Stakes are two options.’
Nottingham on the same day and Highclere had two runners both heading jumping off as favourites and both duly delivering. FABRIC a daughter of Acclamation, was settled just behind the leaders and kept on nicely late on to hold on. ‘She is still very green and I think she will improve again from this. She has a lot of speed, so I will stick her to this sort of trip.’ TORCH having run in the first four in all five starts this year broke his duck in impressive fashion. ‘He has been running well all year without getting his head in front. This looked a nice opportunity for him and he delivered nicely. The cheek pieces had the desired effect and I can see him going in again off a similar mark in handicaps.’