Kingman justifies the hype
James Doyle’s much-publicised debut as Khalid Abdullah’s new retained rider went off without a hitch as next year’s 2000 Guineas favourite made a second successful visit to the racecourse in the Betfred Mobile Solario Stakes at Sandown.
A two-length defeat of rivals rated over 100 in a Group Three event was more than respectable but, unlike the juvenile’s explosive entrance at Newmarket in June, this was more a performance of controlled power.
Kingman’s Classic odds were shortened again, with a truer examination of his position as a future star of the Turf likely to happen in the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes on October 12.
Abdullah’s racing manager, Teddy Grimthorpe, said: ”When he was asked to quicken he quickened really nicely and that’s the most important thing. Today was part of his long education.
“We have to aim a bit higher now, and that would include the Jean-Luc Lagardere (at Longchamp on October 6) or the Dewhurst, I would think.”
It was not all smooth sailing for Doyle as Abdullah’s Lilyfire (5-2 joint-favourite) got hopelessly trapped behind horses in the betfred.com Nursery before flashing home for second behind Ryan Moore and Gown (14-1).
The other Group Three on the card, the TBA Atalanta Stakes, provided as exciting a finish as will be seen all year.
Ladys First (7-1) and Tony Hamilton were passed a furlong out by Moore on the 13-8 favourite Integral before the former wrestled the lead back with 150 yards remaining of the mile.
Moore, though, galvanised Integral for yet another challenge and the pair were so tight at the post that a dead-heat was called.
Sir Michael Stoute, who tried Integral in the Nassau Stakes last time, said: “I’m relieved, really, as Ryan went too early, he said he messed up.
“It’s too early to say where she’ll go but I’ll contemplate running her in the Sun Chariot.”
Stepper Point is set to step up in class after foiling the gambled-on favourite York Glory to take the Betfred Beverley Bullet Sprint at the East Yorkshire track.
Trainer William Muir has the Prix de l’Abbaye on October 6 at Longchamp as the main target for the four-year-old after he made all of the running in this competitive Listed race.
