Sky is the limit as Jet flies for five-star success
The Dubawi filly began the year as a possible Classic contender but after appearing unlikely to get a mile, McMahon opted to drop back in trip and his decision paid off with a Group Three victory here.
Sent off a 9-2 chance, Astrophysical Jet was settled in mid- division by Graham Gibbons before making smooth progress under a furlong and a half out.
She hit the front inside the distance and powered away to score by two lengths from Tax Free with Santo Padre a further head back in third in a blanket finish for the places.
“That’ll be it for the season. I’m never one to butcher a good horse. The first target for next season will be the Palace House and hopefully we’ll end up in the Nunthorpe,” said McMahon.
“She wasn’t originally bought to be a sprinter and I had anticipated her running in the Guineas.
“She was entered for the Fred Darling but I had to say to the owner she wouldn’t get the trip.
“Graham kept saying she was a sprinter but I was trying to eke out some stamina as she’s so well bred. I had to relent in the end.
“She won quite nicely today. I knew she had a turn of foot and she stayed the five well. We might even go six next year.”
Lush Lashes was sent off the 7-2 favourite to make a dream return in the Dance Design Stakes but it was not to be for the three-time Group One winner.
Jim Bolger’s charge was retired to the paddocks in the middle of last season but returned to training after failing to hold on to her pregnancy by Sea The Stars.
However, she could finish only fourth as 16-1 shot Obama Rule got a perfect split between Shareen and Miss Laa Di Da to win by a length and a head.
“I’ve always been mad about her. I thought she was a mile-and-a-half filly earlier in the year but every time she’s worked, she’s got sharper and sharper and a mile is probably her optimum trip,” said winning trainer Joanna Morgan.
“She’s very talented and hopefully she stays in training next year. She has a great temperament.
“She’s in the Blenheim in two weeks time and then there is a race at Gowran Park for her.
“I was deliberating over whether to enter her for the Group One Prix de l’Opera in France but didn’t in the end and there is always next year for that.
“She wouldn’t be great to travel and if we did go there, that would finish her for the season.”
Bolger was also out of luck as his 4-5 favourite Glor Na Mara had to give best to Dingle View (22-1) in the Go And Go Round Tower Stakes.
David Evans’ British raider was one of the outsiders for the six-furlong heat but she showed plenty of guts for Cathy Gannon to score by a head.
Kyllachy Star just failed to make it a British hat-trick as Hujaylea (25-1) swooped late to claim the Social Harmony EBF Irish Cambridgeshire by a length and a quarter under 7lb claimer Conor Hoban.
Winning handler Michael Halford said: “That’s great. We discovered he had a little back issue and gave him a little break and fixed it up.
“That’s the only reason I can see he ran well today. He’s very consistent and got a very cool ride.
