Ambition strikes for Charlton

Roger Charlton’s Striking Ambition won the KENO Goldene Peitsche at Baden-Baden today – but only after the intervention of the local stewards.

Sent off at around 13-2 for Germany’s most important sprint race, the Steve Drowne-ridden five-year-old was narrowly beaten into second by the favourite Lucky Strike. But Charlton’s charge had been hampered as the “winner” drifted to the outside.

There was only half a length between the pair at the line for the Group Two prize but after an inquiry the officials decided to reverse the placings. Omasheriff finished third.

“It’s very hard for Lucky Strike´s team but our horse battled well,” said Charlton.

“Striking Ambition is one of my best sprinters and he could run next in the Prix de l’Abbaye in Longchamp.”

Mick Channon’s Royal Millennium finished sixth.

“He didn’t like the ground and never travelled well,” reported jockey Graham Gibbons.

Eoghan O’Neill’s Under My Thumb weakened early to finish fourth in the Listed Kronimus-Rennen.

Ridden by Gibbons, the juvenile was well beaten behind local favourite Lateral.