Newmarket Saturday

Sun Chariot Stakes (Group 1)

THE market leaders both disappointed in the Group 1 Royal Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes, with Saffron Beach scoping dirty to explain her surprising capitulation, and that left the way clear for 16/1 chance Fonteyn (Kevin Ryan/Neil Callan) to gain a first group win.

While the daughter of Farhh typically took a strong hold in the race, she battled well when headed by Laurel (John & Thady Gosden/Rab Havlin) over a furlong out, digging deep with the benefit of the rail to regain the advantage deep inside the last to prevail by three-parts of a length.

Laurel’s stablemate Grande Dame (Jamie Spencer) finished third, two and a half lengths adrift of the winner.

As well as Saffron Beach’s flop, there was also a lifeless effort from Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Homeless Songs, for whom the fitting of a tongue-tie was both surprising and concerning, and it’s clear that the result of this race needs treating with some caution.

There appeared to be an advantage to race near the stands rail, and the first three home came out of the three highest stalls, with those factors also preventing this from being viewed as solid Group 1 form.

Dominant pair

Despite the negatives, there are reasons to be optimistic about the dominant pair, with Fonteyn clearly very talented, but until now hamstrung by her headstrong nature. She led early before Prosperous Voyage went on and settled better with cover than when seeing daylight.

To see her able to fight back here augurs well for her future, and this was clearly an improved effort, as she was behind both Grande Dame and Mrs Fitzherbert in the Atalanta Stakes at Sandown in August.

If it’s not a stretch to remain positive about the winner, it’s quite easy to do so with Juddmonte’s Laurel, who shaped like the best filly in the race until inexperience seemed to cost her off the bridle.

The Kingman filly was having her first run outside novice company here, and just her third lifetime start, and as John Gosden pointed out after the race, she had never been off the bridle before, and didn’t seem to know what to do when facing Fonteyn’s rally.

She also tended to lug left into the centre of the track as she quickened, and that counted against her in a close finish. She seems certain to progress for the experience and will be easier to place than the runner-up in the short term.