Artigiano gets Royal Ascot entry after Leicester success
Mahmood Al Zarooni’s American-bred juvenile, Artigiano, confirmed his berth for the Royal Ascot journey following a tremendous win in the Pytchley Maiden Stakes, taken place at Leicester on Monday, May 28th.
The 2-year-old did not take much time to get his act together after suffering an embarrassing loss at York earlier this month. On a solid surface at Leicester, the novice made a great impression, maintaining the highest standards all the way through.
The class 4 meeting saw the Godolphin-owned chasing the leader in the beginning. His superb work in the middle stages helped him establish his dominance a furlong before the finishing line. After getting into the first row, he took his speed to the maximum
level, proving too good for his opponents.
Under Frankie Dettori, the 11-10 favourite sealed the first position by half a dozen lengths. Scott Dixon’s charge, Pearl Noir, failed to surpass the champion despite being in great position at one stage.
Dettori was not reluctant to accept the reality that the juvenile raised his game significantly after suffering a shock defeat at York. The veteran rider also said:
"It was an impressive run at York. He really ran on well and he has sharpened up a lot since. This was a good opportunity for him and I suppose he will end up at Ascot in three weeks' time."
The spectators at Leicester saw another Godolphin-owned, Dysphonia, stealing the show in the Charnwood Forest Fillies' Conditions Stakes. It was a straightforward win for the 30-100 favourite, as she secured the top rank by 2¾ lengths.
The 6-year-old finally managed to make the winning equation after a few terrible outings earlier this season. After a couple of below par efforts at Meydan, the dashing mare showed some improved, when finished third in the Group 3 Betfred Mobile Chartwell
Fillies' Stakes at Lingfield a couple of weeks ago.
Trainer Saeed bin Suroor told At The Races: "She ran well first time (in England) and came back sound and healthy. The trip suited her, she showed a good turn of foot and we will look for either a Listed race or a Group Three for her next."
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