Twice bounds into Classic frame
Twice Over could head for the Breeders’ Cup in November after his rousing success in the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes at Newmarket.
The winner of the 10-furlong contest was guaranteed a place in the 3million Breeders’ Cup Turf – although connections are more likely to look at the Breeders’ Cup Classic if they do travel to Santa Anita.
Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager for owner Khalid Abdullah, said: “We hadn’t been looking at the Breeders’ Cup before this, but he has come back and won this race very well so the Classic would be under consideration.
“The question mark is that the race is on a surface that he’s never raced on.
“There is also Hong Kong, but we need to discuss it, along with Dubai.”
The classy colt was providing Warren Place maestro Henry Cecil with his third victory in the race.
Indian Skimmer in 1988 and Bosra Sham 13 years ago were his previous scorers.
New Approach proved his superior 12 months earlier, but after a couple of confidence-boosting wins in lesser company, Twice Over went one place better.
Tom Queally had the 14-1 chance in the front rank throughout and after leading well over two furlongs out, his mount boxed on well to hold Mawatheeq by half a length.
Richard Hills rode the latter and objected to the winner on the grounds of interference, but the stewards dismissed the appeal in moments.
Oaks winner Sariska came from well off the pace to finish a length down in third, while 6-4 favourite Fame And Glory dropped back to sixth having race prominently.
Cecil said: “He needed a confidence-booster last time, but I was a little worried about the ground as the softer it is the better it is for him.
“I think he is better than last year and has improved with age.”
This season has been a coming of age for Queally, who landed two Group One sprints mid-summer and partnered Cecil’s Midday to success in the Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
The jockey said: “Henry has given me every chance and I got a good kick out of winning this.
“It’s reward for all those early mornings, watching your weight and hours in the car.
“This is what it is all about – those five seconds after you cross the line.”
Marcus Tregoning supplemented Mawatheeq into the race following his Cumberland Lodge win, but he failed to emulate the stable’s Nayef who landed the Champion Stakes in 2001.
Tregoning said: “It’s a frustrating day as I thought he’d win.
“My feeling is that he’s best over a mile and a half and he ran here before and got unbalanced. He definitely stays in training.”
Michael Bell was delighted with Sariska as she dropped back to a mile and quarter, and tackled her male elders for the first time.
He said: “It was a colossal run because everything has been against her this autumn.
“I am very proud of her and she will be a beast next year.”
