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| Lethal Force: Brilliant winner of the Diamond Jubilee |
Although the likes Mayson and Dream Ahead were able to take domestic Group Ones before being whisked off to stud, many such events at the distance have been at the mercy of overseas challengers or even glorified handicappers.
But the authority with which the grey charged two lengths away from 2011 winner and 4/1 favourite Society Rock, to present rider Adam Kirby his first victory at this level and trainer Clive Cox his fourth, suggested strongly that there will be more to come.
Lambourn-based Cox, a former jumps jockey, made his Group One breakthrough with Gilt Edge Girl in the 2010 Prix de l'Abbaye and such is his skill with these horses that he has another viable candidate in the same category, the King's Stand fifth Reckless Abandon.
Lethal Force, who is just a four-year-old, was seen as more of a seven-furlong horse last year and was beaten a head by Society Rock when plunged into the Duke of York Stakes on his reappearance.
Yet this was a merciless display of speed, with Kirby firing him out of the stalls and never looking likely to submit to Society Rock's challenge from the rear, and he was turning around a 5lb swing at the weights with that rival to boot.
"He's special, we always hoped he was, and Adam is such a brilliant rider. When he sent him he was explosive," Cox said.
"It wasn't the plan, to be honest and I was a bit worried the field were going to swamp him at some point.
"He's clearly very talented and he has done the job very easily, I thought.
"This is what it's all about. I'm so pleased for the owners and the whole team. I'm just delighted to be competing at this level, to win is unbelievable."
Kirby, who is one of the tallest members of the weighing room, said: "The only man I've got to thank is Clive Cox. I said I was going to drop him in and he told me to do what I wanted.
"He hit the gates well and was doing it all so easily. It's unbelievable how the way he does things.
"Everyone said it was a fluke when he won the Hungerford Stakes over seven furlongs, but it wasn't.
"He was only three and just a frame, but he's a much more solid horse now. Days like these are what you get up in the morning for."
Owned by Robin and Alan Craddock, Lethal Force (11/1) will be one of many in the field to be considered for the next month's July Cup at Newmarket.
Cox said: "He's in the July Cup, but I'm not sure if Newmarket will suit him, if I'm honest - although it does look logical.
"Reckless Abandon is in it as well, but we won't worry about that now. At some stage, I guess they may have to take each other on."
Trainer James Fanshawe said of Society Rock: "There wasn't much between them at York and they seem to be the top two in the sprinting division at the moment.
"Hopefully he'll be right for Newmarket and then we'll take it from there."
Following them there will be third-placed Krypton Factor, whose Bahraini trainer Fawzi Nass said: "Last year we had to go to Singapore and there was a lot of travelling for him in a short time before he was sixth in this race.
"This year was a different case. We came here direct from Dubai. He will come on for this and will go for the July Cup next."
Gordon Lord Byron was fourth, trainer Tom Hogan saying: "He can go on soft ground when he gets a good grip or firm when he gets a grip. Today was a little frustrating.
"He ran a good race and we might go for the Lennox at Goodwood. The July Cup is a possibility if it was fast ground."
An intriguing change of trainers will be made for Coolmore's Australian import Sea Siren, who showed up well before weakening to eighth and now moves from John O'Shea to Aidan O'Brien.
O'Shea said: "She's got a bit tired up the run-in and it is a learning experience as she is probably saying she has had enough.
"She had a hard run in Brisbane and then the trip here.
"She is going to Aidan on Monday night so I just had a chat with him to help him get a feel of her."
Judul: Force Sparkles in Diamond
Rating: 100% based on 99998 ratings. 5 user reviews.
Ditulis Oleh 2:00 PM
Rating: 100% based on 99998 ratings. 5 user reviews.
Ditulis Oleh 2:00 PM