Frankel enhanced his tall reputation at Newmarket on Saturday with
an impressive score in the Group 1, $507,000 Dewhurst Stakes,
maintaining his perfect record while handing the disappointing Dream
Ahead and Saamidd their first defeats.
Slowly away in a rough start under Tom Queally, the 4-6 Frankel was
pulling rather hard as he moved into fifth place in the six-runner
field of 2-year-olds going a straight seven furlongs. The Aidan
O’Brien-trained maiden winner Roderic O’Connor was winging it on the
front end, clear of the two longshots in the field, Waiter’s Dream and
Glor Na Mara. Frankie Dettori had Group 2 Park Stakes winner Saamidd
tucked along the rail in fourth as two-time Group 1 winner Dream Ahead
trailed the field under William Buick.
There was no change in the order until Frankel began moving toward
the front inside the three-eighths pole. Dream Ahead, who had never
been further than six furlongs before, attempted to follow him but was
soon struggling.
Frankel cruised to the lead approaching the three-sixteenths-pole
and was soon clear, Queally always keeping the Galileo colt’s mind on
his business. From that point the issue was no longer in doubt as
Frankel strode out a 2 1/4-length winner over the game 25-1 Roderic
O’Connor with Glor Na Mara third and Waiter’s Dream fourth. The 5-2
Dream Ahead weakened to finish fifth, beaten 6 3/4 lengths with the 7-1
Saamidd tailed off in last, 16 3/4 lengths behind Frankel, who was
clocked in 1:25.73 on good to soft ground.
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