Decoding the Ascot Symbols

THERE was plenty of action to get stuck into last Saturday, and Godolphin once again laid their hands on the feature race on British soil, writes Page Fuller. Symbol Of Honour landed the six-furlong, Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes, backing up an impressive win in the Carnarvon Stakes at Newbury just seven days before. It has quickly become clear why seven furlongs at Newmarket in the King Charles II Stakes didn’t suit him.

When he won over six furlongs at Meydan in February, he hit a Top Speed of 44.4mph in the second furlong, and maintained that impressively to the line with an FSP of 97.56%.

Translating that to seven furlongs at Newmarket didn’t work. He travelled too powerfully in the early stages, and was unable to quicken because of it, only hitting 39.74 mph in the fifth furlong. His return to six furlongs thereafter was inevitable.

In each of the races at Newbury and Haydock, he was able to quicken to speeds of more than 40mph and, once again, maintain that powerfully to the line. He finished with Finishing Speed Percentages of 101% and 99% respectively, illustrating how strong a stayer he is over this sprint distance.

His options are limited at the top level as a gelding, but hopefully we will see him for many years to come because of it. He holds entries in both the Wokingham at Royal Ascot, and the July Cup next month, so this three-year-old could be a really exciting prospect for the sprint division moving forwards.