Horse racing: Timepiece strikes first Group One win at Newmarket

RARELY does Sir Henry Cecil win a Group One for the first time nowadays but Timepiece had a pleasant surprise in store by capturing the Etihad Airways Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket yesterday.

Cecil has naturally made his mark in the race over the years, but not since its upgrade to the highest tier in 2004.

The trainer was convinced there was a big prize in Timepiece, who left her ninth-place finish in last season's Investec Oaks behind when winning the Sandringham Handicap at Royal Ascot and has established herself as a solid performer at Listed level.

Her starting price of 16-1 reflected what she was up against on the July Course with the field headed by the high-class French mare Sahpresa, sent off the 13-8 favourite.

Sahpresa's rider Christophe Lemaire was one of several to misjudge the dawdling pace set by Masaya, leaving himself a lot to do approaching the furlong marker. But Tom Queally was alive to the dangers on Timepiece at that point, committing the filly and keeping a length and a quarter between himself and the onrushing Sahpresa by the line.

Frankel has been the undoubted star of this season for Cecil, Queally and owner Khalid Abdullah, and it was a more relaxed trainer who briefed the media than when dealing with his higher-profile horse. "We had the choice of a Listed race at Pontefract or this, but seeing as she's already a Listed winner I decided to run here," Cecil said, perhaps tongue-in-cheek.

"She's a very good filly, but she didn't stay in the Oaks. She mustn't get there too soon and they didn't go that fast.

"She's a Group One winner now and I'm so pleased she has finally got it right. I thought a mile over this course would suit, but I think she gets a mile and a quarter. A mile and one would be best, but there aren't many races over that trip.

"I'm very pleased because I told the Prince that I thought a lot of her and he stood by me. Tom rode her very well - it will do the jockey good and do the filly good."

Cecil did not disclose any possible plans but Abdullah's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe was able to shed some light.

"Henry has always had huge faith in her and she has done really well," he said. "Group One wins are what it's all about in racing, and we have her sire (Zamindar] and her dam (Clepsydra], so this is a triple-whammy for us. There are lots of options now, such as the Matron Stakes (at Leopardstown] and the Sun Chariot (at Newmarket]. Further on, there are races like the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf."Earlier in the day, Godolphin's Gamilati recorded the first victory of her career with a superb effort in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cherry Hinton Stakes.

Mahmood Al Zarooni's filly was narrowly beaten at long odds-on at the track last month and looked to have plenty on her plate against proven Group-race performers.

But the 14-1 chance travelled kindly for Frankie Dettori throughout and quickened up well nearest the stands side to score by a comfortable length and a half from Russelliana.