Royal Ascot 2011- Power edges out Roman Soldier to win Coventry Stakes, Aidan O'Brien trainer
The Royal Ascot’s first Group 2 race, and fourth overall race, Coventry Stakes, unfolded on day 1, 14th June. Run over a distance of 6 furlongs, this year’s race saw a new breed of two-year-old thoroughbreds, including favourite, 4/1 Power.
23 horses ran the field, but the outcome of the race was exactly what pre-race betting had predicted with favourite Power winning, and second favourite Roman Soldier finishing second. The betting market was very active much before the race with Roman Soldier
at 10/1 and St Barths at 14/1 right before the race.
The race was run neck-to-neck, with Power under Ryan Moore, and, Roman Soldier under George Baker, battling it out till the final furlong. It opened with initial pace-setter Italo, while eventual winner, Power, was far behind.
However, jockey, Ryan Moore, remained calm. As the pace-setters began to tire, Power increased his pace although he was still in the middle at the three furlong pole. Soon enough Power and Roman Soldier were leading the field, but still engaged in battle
against each other.
Finally when Power got ahead of Roman Soldier, he maintained his position and won the race a full neck clear of Roman Soldier in a time of 1 minute and 13.55 seconds.
In the final furlong, Roman Soldier, and, Power, had bumped into each other leading to a steward’s inquiry, but the results were unchanged and Power was named winner.
St Barths under Martin Dwyer, and, Lethal Force finished third, and, fourth respectively. Power’s trainer, a joyous Aidan O’Brien said:
"Ryan gave him a great ride and he's a tough horse. It's tough out there…He's a big, powerful, strong horse and he has the physique already. Most horses at two have to progress, but he has it already”.
O’Brien went on to describe how special the £100,000 win was for him, despite it not being his first win.
On the other hand, Roman Soldier’s disappointed trainer, Jeremy Noseda, said,"So close, yet so far. He's run a huge race so I can't ask anymore than that”.
He praised both jockey, George Baker, and, Roman Soldier, for putting up a good fight and said that is all he could ask for.
St Barths’ trainer, Brian Meehan, too was appreciative of his horse and said:
"He's a nice horse and very progressive... we'll get him home, see how he is and have a chat about where to go next and go from there. We're delighted".
While the outcome was not unexpected the race was still highly interesting, with many enthusiasts now claiming that Coventry Stakes should be upgraded to Group 1 given the kind of talent that emerges from it. For Aidan O'Brien it was a repetition of history
as his luck and talent continued to shine at the Coventry Stakes.
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