Next stop Deauville for Guineas favourite
Holy Roman Emperor is set for a quick return to action after an emphatic display in the Independent Waterford Wedgwood Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh saw him shoot to 2000 Guineas favouritism.
Such luminaries as Johannesburg, One Cool Cat and George Washington have taken the six-furlong race in recent times for Aidan O’Brien, with only Damson two years ago breaking a winning run stretching back to 1998.
And it is the former the son of Danehill will now try to emulate in bidding for the Darley Prix Morny at Deauville next Sunday.
The strapping colt added his name to the roll of honour with a display of true class which saw him burst clear with half a furlong to go and pass the line with more in hand over Hellvelyn than the length and three-quarters winning margin would suggest.
The pair were sent off the 13-8 joint favourites after a late plunge on Bryan Smart’s Yorkshire raider, who had Holy Roman Emperor back in 15th when taking the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.
But Kieren Fallon was wise to Ted Durcan’s move and after pulling the son of Danehill out wide for a run the race was quickly put to bed as the colt surged clear in the style of a top-class performer.
O’Brien said: “He’s quite a horse isn’t he? He’s very smart looking. He was explosive when he got out and he’s able to turn it on. He just powered through.
“He’ll go to the Prix Morny next weekend, he just wants to race and racing brings out the best in him.”
Cashmans went a standout 10-1 from 20s for next year’s colts’ Classic, sponsors Stan James 8-1 from 16s, Boylesports 7-1 and totesport “seriously impressed” in slashing him into 6-1.
Reflecting on his Ascot run, when he was eight lengths adrift of Smart’s charge, O’Brien continued: “He ran in the middle of the track there and he’d only run the once before so the whole thing probably came as a shock to him. Kieren came back in and said he was like a horse just broken, but he did look smart first time out.
“Looking further ahead all of the big races are open to him and he’s very strong and mature.”
Of his other leading juveniles, O’Brien added: “Duke Of Marmalade or Trinity will go for the Futurity.”
Fallon said: “He has got such a great temperament. He just bounced off the ground and quickened.
“George Washington did it easily last year and he has done it impressively as well. I just gave him a shake of the reins and he was gone.
“I didn’t think he would quicken like that and he’s done nothing here, it was like a piece of work for him.”
Hellvelyn lost his three-race unbeaten tag when finishing half a length in front of 50-1 chance Miss Beatrix and Stan James left him unchanged at 20-1 for the Guineas.
Durcan said: “I had the run of the race and he really picked up one and a half out when I thought I would win. He’s kept on all the way to the line but was beaten by a better horse on the day.”
