Vintage performance from King Torus
Richard Hannon saddled his 50th winner at Glorious Goodwood when King Torus won the Group Two Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes.
The Oratorio had to carry a 3lb penalty, for his victory in the Group Two Superlative Stakes at Newmarket’s July meeting, but that was no hindrance as King Torus beat Stentorian by six lengths. Richard Hughes, who had employed hold-up tactics to such effect on Zebedee in the Molecomb Stakes the day before, had planned to make the running on King Torus.
However, Frankie Dettori had bustled Stentorian into the lead on the run to the top of the hill although the early pace did not stop a deal of scrimmaging behind in which Crown Prosecutor, who came to the race unbeaten in two starts and with an impressive reputation, was the chief sufferer. Kieren Fallon had the colt on the rail and was squeezed for room on the home turn. It certainly compromised his chances, and Fallon had to switch wide to make his challenge, but it is doubtful whether it made that much difference.
Crown Prosecutor did threaten briefly in the home straight but nothing could live with the winner - eventually finishing sixth - who strengthens his trainer’s hand for next season’s Classics.
“It was a serious performance,” Hughes said. “I wanted to make it and I was going a good one and then Frankie wanted to make it – and we were flying. I picked it up with a good two-and-a-half to run – after that strong gallop – and he absolutely sprinted down that rail.”
King Torus, who was bred by Aidan O’Brien, cost €30,000 but did not always look value for money according to Hughes and was still learning when he was fourth in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. “He was a big dope for a long time to be honest. At Ascot he was so raw through the race I ended up racing on my own. I begged the boss to put one of these ring bits on, because he loves to lean right, and I knew he’d love that rail today.”
Hannon last won Vintage Stakes in 1986 with Don't Forget Me, who went on to win the following year’s 2000 Guineas, and Hughes believes that King Torus could be in that league now. “I haven’t gone the last two furlongs on a two-year-old quicker over seven furlongs,” he said.
Richard Hannon Jr, assessing the yard’s formidable current strength in juveniles who could be major players for next season, nominated Strong Suit, the winner of the Coventry Stakes as the leading light but also said: “King Torus saves his best for the racetrack. Patrick Hills rode him yesterday and when I asked ‘how did he get on’ he said ‘fine’, because that’s all he does at home. Strong Suit is probably the best we’ve got but you don’t know what this fellow’s got under the bonnet. He’s getting better and better and he’s so easy to ride he’ll get a longer trip.”
Brian Meehan had to accept the defeat for Crown Prosecutor but did win the other two-year-old race on the card, the Markel International Maiden Fillies’ Stakes, as Mortitia, who had finished fourth on her first two starts over seven furlongs, benefitted from a drop back in trip to win by a short-head from Qenaa.
http://www.senore.com/Canford-Cliffs-wins-Sussex-Stakes-in-style-a19029
http://www.senore.com/Glorious-Goodwood-winner-for-Nicky-Henderson-a19006
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