Dubai Destination sprang a shock |
Godolphin showed they are still a force to be reckoned with at Royal Ascot when Dubai Destination triumphed in the Queen Anne Stakes. Ridden by Frankie Dettori, the four-year-old saw off the rest of the field, including 8-13 favourite Hawk Wing, who finished well down the field after a very disappointing run.
The winner's stable companion Blatant set a good gallop with Hawk Wing racing in mid-division and Dubai Destination to his outside.
As the leaders began to fade Dettori seized his chance and Dubai Destination took control of the race in a matter of strides.
Hawk Wing was unable to mount a further challenge and drifted down the field looking a shadow of the horse which triumphed in the Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.
Trainer Aidan O'Brien was disappointed with Hawk Wing's performance, especially after an awesome 11-length win in Newbury's Lockinge Stakes on his seasonal debut.
He didn't run within stones of his form  |
The racecourse vet revealed the four-year-old had finished lame at the end of the mile-and-a-half race.
Tillerman, runner-up 12 months ago, came with his customary late charge to take second slot at 16-1 with the Queen's horse Right Approach (20-1) a further three-quarters of a length away.
It was the fifth Queen Anne victory for Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor after victories from Charnwood Forest (1996), Allied Forces (1997), Intikhab (1998) and Cape Cross (1999).
After Hawk Wing's flop trainer Aidan O'Brien said: "Obviously I'm disappointed - that wasn't the same Hawk Wing. He didn't run within stones of what we know he can.
"With hindsight I should have brought him back after Newbury and checked every bone in his body. But maybe if I had he wouldn't have been here today.
"I might have been a bit easy on him. We'll give him a break and he'll come back a fresh horse. I don't lose the faith."
Zafeen was a worthy winner of the St James's Palace Stakes |
In the day's other Group One race, Zafeen bounced back from a disappointing run in the Irish 2,000 Guineas with a win in the St James's Palace Stakes. The Mick Channon-trained horse came through well and sprinted to the line to finish clear of the pre-race favourite Kalaman, who just couldn't find the speed in the closing stages.
German 2,000 Guineas winner Martillo was back in third.
Darryll Holland took over from Steve Drowne on the three-year-old and the pair won by a length at 8-1 to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Rock of Gibraltar, the winner last year.
"I've had enough bad luck recently so this makes a nice change," admitted Channon after the race.
"When he kicked two furlongs from home we knew it would take a good horse to beat him."