O’Neill makes most of Murtagh’s misfortune on MacadamiaBy William Hayler
The 8-1 chance, a spare ride for Dane O’Neill after the doctor ruled intended jockey Johnny Murtagh out of action, hit the front two furlongs out and stayed on strongly all the way to the line.
The 32-runner field split into two groups from the start and it was those racing on the stands side who clearly held sway, with favourite Funfair never able to challenge from his draw on the far side.
Macadamia beat Camp Commander (11-1) by one and three-quarter lengths, with the same distance back to Tough Love (20-1), with Pentecost (25-1) rewarding his each-way backers in fourth place.
Fanshawe, who had left his top hat “in my other car”, said: “It’s my first Royal Ascot winner and I’m absolutely thrilled, especially for Lord Vestey, who is one of my original owners.
“She’s improving, but despite being by Classic Cliche, she doesn’t want much further than a mile.
“To be honest I haven’t really had that many runners here in the last few years because it tends be so tough to win, but Invermark came second in the Gold Cup and we had a few seconds in the big handicaps.
“I saw Johnny as he was leaving with his bag packed just as I got here. It’s a shame for him, but Dane gave him a great ride.”
Meanwhile trainer Mark Johnston admitted that second place would not have been good enough after Attraction pulverised her rivals to maintain her unbeaten record in the Queen Mary Stakes and initiate a juvenile double for the stable.
The strongly-supported 13-8 favourite, one of the bankers of the meeting for many punters, needed to be ridden to the line by Kevin Darley to beat off the persistent Catstar.
But she responded gamely to get the better of that rival by three lengths, with another five lengths back to third-placed Majestic Desert.
“In most races I am happy to finish second or third, but nothing but winning would have been good enough for me here,” said Johnston.
“She’s a really good filly and has always been that little bit spe She’s got a big engine.”
