Crimson Advocate swooped with some type within the last furlong to safe a second Royal Ascot success, this time within the Duke of Cambridge Stakes.
Winner of the Queen Mary Stakes two years in the past when skilled by American George Weaver, Crimson Advocate is now with John and Thady Gosden within the colors of Wathnan Racing and got here from final to first within the palms of James McDonald.
Fellow Gosden runner and defending champion Working Lion made a daring bid to make all however had no reply as Crimson Advocate (13/2) collared her inside the ultimate furlong and pulled away from 5/4 favorite Cinderella’s Dream
John Gosden mentioned: “We knew she would run a big race but I didn’t expect her to go by those three fillies. Let’s face it, Running Lion won it last year and the second and third are Group One fillies.
“I mentioned to James to only get her settled and he did a gorgeous job, he has actually nice palms and regardless that he hadn’t ridden her earlier than received an exquisite tune out of her.
“On the half-furlong marker I assumed Working Lion had it and so did the commentator after which this filly got here together with a moist sail – it was spectacular for a filly who was a Queen Mary filly not so way back.
“We gave her a very long time off over the winter and labored on settling her and she or he ran very well within the Snowdrop after which Robert Havlin settled her at Goodwood and she or he received up and received.
“Full marks to Robert and Thady who have devoted their time to settling her and she’s sat last here and then blown them away. I’m thrilled but this one is not much to do with me.”
Crimson Advocate was minimize to 7/1 from 16s for the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket subsequent month, however the crew are but to decide to their subsequent transfer.
Gosden added: “I haven’t thought too far ahead and I thought she might get placed. But she’s done that well and we’ll have to readjust our sights.”
For New Zealander McDonald it was a fifth success on the Royal assembly having overwhelmed off a bout of flu to journey for the Wathnan Racing crew this week.
He mentioned: “You have no idea what a buzz it is to win here, it means so much, and you can see why everyone treats the week so seriously. It’s a very special place and there’s nothing better.
“It was nonetheless on the sting final week, I am undecided what it was, possibly only a unhealthy case of flu, however I must have damaged a bone to not be right here.
“I thought about a furlong out when Will (Buick, on Cinderella’s Dream) didn’t put them away I had a real chance.
“As a competitor, to journey for such robust stables is so good. Wathnan is a large crew and James (Doyle, who rode Fallen Angel for Wathnan) has some large choices and as soon as he is picked, it is good to fill in the place I can.”
