Society Rock eyes a match-up with July Cup winner Dream Ahead in Prix Maurice de Gheest on 7 August
James Fanshawe trained Society Rock looks fit enough to challenge the Darley July Cup winner, Dream Ahead, in the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville on 7 August.
The 4-year-old bay colt landed the Group 1 Golden Jubilee Stakes at Ascot on 18 June.
The two Group 1 winners were scheduled to meet in the Darley July Cup, but Society Rock was forced to miss out with a foot injury, making way for Dream Ahead to deliver jockey Hayley Turner with a memorable win.
The Rock of Gibraltar colt has had an illustrious three-year career, with 4 wins and 3 runner-up finishes out of 11 starts, shooting up his bankroll to a whopping £507,917.
With one second place Class 2 race and a recent Group 1 win at the Ascot, Society Rock, owned by Simon Gibson, is coming to form in the 2011 season.
He displayed a dismal performance in the season’s opener at Newmarket on 14 April, 2011, Society Rock ran in a listed race in the Connaught Access Flooring Abernant Stakes.
The race drew a line of 13 runners to run over a distance of six furlongs, Society Rock under jockey Pat Cosgrave was held up throughout the race, but with a furlong remaining the pair showed intent but it was too little too late.
With nothing extra coming in the final furlong, Society Rock finished an embarrassing 10th out of 13.
The 2011 start was opposite to the 2010 start, as she started the 2010 season with a win. Next up was the Bet Totepool Conditions Stakes at Haydock on 7 May, 2011.
Society Rock revived under Pat Cosgrave, made a strong run and challenged Bated Breath in the final furlong, only to finish second by half a length, a satisfactory performance, especially ahead of the Royal Ascot meet.
Society Rock was about to enter and compete a whole new league of runners, he was at the Royal Ascot running in the Group 1 Golden Jubilee Stakes. Pat Cosgrave aboard Society Rock yet again, who showed no early jitters on a field of 16.
Raced far side and stayed in the midfield, the pair matched with their rivals as Society Rock produced ample pace to head among the leaders.
Driven headway between the horses just inside the final furlong, gave his all and never looked back until the wire. Stunning performance by the pair, landing Society Rocks first ever Group one victory.
It is time for France, and a match-up between the Darley July Cup winner Dream Ahead is not going to be easy.
Dream Ahead will take some beating, as Society Rock has the tendency to spur up a surprise or too himself, it’s going to be a memorable clash that’s for sure.
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