Weld delighted as Refuse To Bend bounces back
The Newmarket 2000 Guineas winner was having his first race since his disappointing run in the Vodafone Derby, for which he started the 11-4 favourite but appeared not to stay the mile and a half.
Back over a mile yesterday he was sent off the 8-11 favourite and his supporters never had a moment’s worry. Pat Smullen settled the market leader in second place as stable companion Military Option cut out the running at a good pace.
Once in line for home Smullen let out an inch of rein and the race was quickly over as the Dermot Weld-trained colt strode clear to score in great style by three lengths from Latino Magic.
Refuse To Bend was only given the go-ahead to run in the Group Three contest after Smullen reported to Weld that the ground was safe.
The Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita on October 25 remains Refuse To Bend’s main target.
After yesterday’s race, Weld said: “That’s why he’s an English Classic winner. He was having a nice blow afterwards as he was a few kilos up on his Newmarket weight. That’s one of the reasons we came here rather than Deauville, as the Breeders’ Cup Mile has always been my long-term plan for the horse.
“We have a choice before that of either the Prix du Moulin (at Longchamp on September 7) or the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (at Ascot on September 27).”
Weld was delighted with the colt’s performance and added: “Another positive from today, with America in mind, was the way he bounced off the ground and really stretched.”
Refuse To Bend was completing a treble for Weld and Smullen following the successes of Vinnie Roe and Relaxed Gesture in the first two races.
Vinnie Roe made a winning reappearance in the Ballyroan Stakes.
The dual Irish St Leger winner had not been seen in racecourse action since finishing fourth in the Melbourne Cup last November.
He drifted from 4-7 to 4-5 in the betting for the 12-furlong Listed contest and it needed all Smullen’s strength to get the favourite’s head in front right on the line.
Carpanetto set out to make the running, with Vinnie Roe taking a keen hold in third. As the field turned for home Michael Kinane quickened the pace on the leader and Aidan O’Brien’s three-year-old looked set for victory until Vinnie Roe’s powerful late surge, which saw Weld’s charge gain the day by a head.
Weld said: “He’s such a brave horse. The pace was against him but he finished strongly.”
Vinnie Roe usually wears blinkers, but was not sporting the headgear today.
However, Weld said: “I’ll probably put a visor on when he goes for the Irish St Leger again.
“We’ll see how we get on there before we make any further plans.”
