The Fugue continues Godsen’s glory run

Published on 13/08/2012 02:29

John Gosden secured his sixth Group One race of an incredible season as The Fugue grabbed the glory in the Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

The Clarehaven handler is enjoying a sensational run of of form, with this latest triumph his fifth success at the top-level in the last six weekends.

Gosden has particular strength in depth in the distaff division, with five of his six Group One victors striking in major fillies’ prizes.

The Fugue was the lesser fancied of two Nassau challengers for the yard, with last month’s Pretty Polly Stakes winner Izzi Top the 7-4 favourite and the choice of stable jockey William Buick. The Fugue was certainly no second string, however, having been many people’s idea of the moral winner of the Oaks after finishing a luckless third. The three-year-old arrived on the Sussex Downs off the back of a satisfactory second in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot and was second in the betting at 11-4, with Richard Hughes doing the steering for the first time.

The title-chasing jockey held on to his mount as long as possible before unleashing her with a perfectly timed run to beat Timepiece by a length.

Her stablemate Izzi Top was only sixth. “If anyone deserved to win a Group One race, it was The Fugue,” Gosden said. “There is no point talking about the Oaks any more, but it was a pretty horrific affair. She’s got very small ballerina feet and got stuck in the ground at Royal Ascot, but she showed her class today. I thought Richard gave her a typically chilly ride.

“Our main idea is for The Fugue to go for the Yorkshire Oaks and then the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf.”

Jim Goldie’s Scottish raider Hawkeyethenoo was another to claim a deserved victory after edging a thrilling Blue Square Bet Stewards’ Cup. Always travelling strongly on the far side of the track in the hands of Grand National-winning jockey Graham Lee, the 9-1 chance quickened to the lead inside the final furlong. Imperial Guest came with a strong challenge down the centre of the track, but Hawkeyethenoo stayed strong to land the prestigious handicap by a nose.

Lee said: “I’m overwhelmed - I’m delighted for the horse.”

Goldie said: “He’s a terrific horse and he has been very unlucky this year, so it’s a good race to get a bit of luck.

“He’s in the Haydock race (Betfred Sprint Cup) and the obvious race we’d like to win is the Ayr Gold Cup, but we never seem to get our ground there.”

Mark Johnston wrapped up the Glorious Goodwood trainers title with a double in the concluding race with Landaman, taking his tally for the week to seven. Sir Mark Prescott’s Motivado (11-2 favourite) propelled himself to the top of ante-post lists for the Betfred Ebor at York with an impressive display in the Toyo Tires Performance Stakes.

SELECTIONS

Ffos Las

2.20 Tarara

2.50 Miss Cap Estel

3.20 Putin

3.50 My Meteor

4.20 Lunar Deity

4.50 Astra Hall

5.20 Alborz

Kempton

2.30 Rio’s Pearl

3.00 Caphira

3.30 Mowhoob

4.00 Norlander

4.30 Hannibal Hayes

5.00 Twice Bitten

5.30 Spartan Spirit

Lingfield

2.10 Iris Blue

2.40 Spithead

3.10 Mishaal

3.40 Westwiththenight

4.10 Attraction Ticket

4.40 Tango Sky

5.10 Merry Jaunt

Thirsk

5.50 Pea Shooter

6.20 Stand Of Glory

6.50 Dr Phibes

7.20 Poontoon

7.50 Boy The Bell

8.20 Descaro

Wolverhampton

5.40 Corvette

6.10 Locum

6.40 Avison

7.10 Titled Gent

7.40 Asian Trader

8.10 Medicoe

8.40 Satwa Laird

Double

Astra Hall

4.50 Ffos Las

Medicoe

8.10 Wolverhampton