Quenched satisfies punters' thirst
Quenched battled on in determined fashion to provide John Gosden with his fourth success in the last 10 years in the VC Bet Aphrodite Stakes at Newmarket.
The locally-based trainer had won the race three times before with Annon Luce (1997), Marani (2002) and Treble Heights (2003).
However, prospects of another victory looked slim as Quenched found herself trapped on the rails as the runners entered the closing stages.
But jockey Robert Havlin kept his cool and when the gap came, he dashed his willing mount through the opening to grab a half-length verdict over the front-running Cresta Gold.
Quenched had finished a decent sixth in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot on her previous start.
And after she had obliged here at 4-1, Gosden said: “She ran well in the Ribblesdale but the race didn’t quite go right for her there.
“But today she managed to get the split and get through.
“They went a good pace for three and then they steadied it but she’s got there and done it well. The jockey didn’t panic, he took his time.
“It’s a nice race to win, we’ve won it a few times before.
“She’s only had four races and she’s a Listed winner now and that’s very pleasing.
“She stayed on well there and she might make a Park Hill filly.”
The loudest cheer of the afternoon was reserved for Multidimensional, who held on in a tight finish to the Chris Blackwell Memorial Handicap.
The Henry Cecil-trained top weight was backed down to 5-4 favourite to follow up his debut success here four weeks ago.
And he did not let his supporters down, although he did give them a late scare by drifting left close home.
But Eddie Ahern had kept enough up his sleeve on the market leader to repel Paraguay’s late charge by a neck.
“The handicapper was very clever. He gave him 95 for winning a maiden, which sounds a lot, but he’s got it about right,” Cecil said.
“He gave him a chance of winning but it was still a good race. He was just looking at the crowds towards the end.
“He had pneumonia when he first came over and nearly died and then he had sore shins. He’s had a few problems, but he’s a nice little horse and we’ll just feel our way with him.”
Cockney Rebel made a pleasing start to his career with a cosy victory in the Lettergold Plastics Maiden Stakes.
The Geoff Huffer-trained youngster was confidently ridden by Daragh O’Donohoe, who produced the 10-1 shot to lead approaching the final furlong.
Cockney Rebel was soon in command and was not hard pressed to hold the late challenge of Cavalry Guard by a length and a quarter.
Huffer has big plans for the son of Val Royal, whom he rates as “good as I’ve had for a while”.
He said: “He’s a big, green baby but he will improve – really improve.
“He’s in all sorts of races including the York race (£300,000 (€439,535) St Leger Yearling Stakes) and he’s in the Derby because the family stays. But that’s a long way off, he’s got to grow up yet.
“We’ll take him back and see how he goes and most probably take him to York.”
Frankie Dettori treated his fans to a flying dismount after he gained a last-gasp win on Folga in the Invesco Perpetual EBF Fillies’ Handicap.
The James Given-trained 3-1 favourite had it all to do as Daniella made the best of her way home but Dettori never gave up and got on top in the shadow of the post for a neck call.
