Worth the wait

Marcus Tregoning recorded his first Group 1 winner since Sir Percy won the Epsom Derby fourteen years ago when Mohaather produced a devastating burst of speed to land the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on Wednesday. The four year old had endured a desperate passage in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot finishing on the bridle in seventh. Having made amends in the Group 2 Summer Stakes at Ascot this month, this was his opportunity to put the record straight at the highest level. Despite meeting trouble once again, Jim Crowley's mount quickened up in the manner of a top-class miler to win going away by three parts of a length from Circus Maximus. There were no excuses for the Irish 2000 Guineas winner Siskin who was produced at the right time but wasn't good enough on the day. However, the hard luck story was the English Guineas victor Kameko with Oisin Murphy unable to deliver a challenge having been held in on the far rail by the Coolmore runners. Many will put his defeat down to the 'Goodwood' factor but it was clear the Ballydoyle runners were keen to ensure their main rivals didn't have it easy. Mohaather and Jim Crowley were able to overcome their challenge but Kameko and Oisin Murphy weren't quite so fortunate. 

Top Rank has a long way to go before he can be mentioned in the same breath as Marcus Tregoning's stable star but he is a fast improving four year old nevertheless. Unbeaten in three career starts prior to his reappearance in a 0-92 one mile handicap at Thirsk on Wednesday evening, the grey son of Dark Angel destroyed his eleven opponents by upwards of four and a quarter lengths. Readers of Ahead On The Flat will be aware of his trainer James Tate's comments on page 94: "I view him as a Group horse in the making." Few will argue with those remarks on the evidence of this victory. Scoring here off a mark of 91, Listed/Group races beckon and, given the fact Top Rank is delicate and wants some ease in the ground, it wouldn't be a huge shock if he is entered in something like the QEII at Ascot on champions day in mid October. Rather like now retired stablemate Far Above, he doesn't see the racecourse very often but when he does, he makes a big impression. Fingers crossed he stays in one piece. The Top 40 Prospects have had a few lean days recently but this was a welcome winner and he is another exciting prospect.