2011 result

racing news/

Toronado Cooks Up a Storm in Champagne Stakes
15/09/12

1 Toronado 11/4
2 Dundonnell 5/6F
3 Tha'Ir 9/2
NR: Unsinkable (IRE)
5 ran Distances: ½l, 2¼l, ½l
TIME 1m 24.88s (slow by 0.68s)

Toronado maintained his unbeaten record with a game front-running performance in the Group Two One Call Insurance Champagne Stakes.

Toronado
© Racehorse Photos

Trained by Richard Hannon and ridden by Richard Hughes, the 11/4 chance showed a very willing attitude as he held off the challenge of 5/6 favourite Dundonnell to score by half a length in the seven-furlong contest.

Richard Hannon Junior, assistant trainer to his father, commented: “We were worried it might not be far enough for him today so I told Richard to go out and make it a test.

“The horse has done it the hard way and they all had their chance to go past him. I would say he is probably about as good a colt as we have got this year.

“All being well, he could come back here for the Racing Post Trophy (Group One, 1m, October 27). He was bought in France so there would be a premium if we went for the Prix Jean Luc Lagardere, so that is another option to consider.

“He will be aimed at the Guineas next year and maybe the Derby. Who knows, we may have a Triple Crown horse!

“He is a very sound horse and the ground seems no problem for him. Physically, he is as nice a horse as you’ve seen.”

Richard Hughes added: “I always thought that he was a good horse. I can only go on feel but today he proved that he was a good horse.

“I was in a Catch 22 - this horse needs a mile but I wasn’t going to go fast enough to set it up for the rest. Although I wasn’t going that fast, it wouldn’t have really suited me either.

“He has a lovely way of galloping with a beautiful action - it’s a pleasure to be on him.”

One Call Insurance Champagne Stakes (Group 2)
£82,100 added, 2yo only, 7f, Class 1
5 ran
Going: Good (Good to Firm in places)

NO EXCUSES FROM CHARLTON

After a middling pace early on, a final furlong sprint saw the two market leaders fight it out for the honours, with the 5/6 favourite Dundonnell coming off a half-length second best to the 11/4 second favourite, Toronado, in the Group Two One Call Insurance Champagne Stakes.

Afterwards Dundonnell’s trainer, Roger Charlton, commented: “I thought he ran very well, we were just beaten by a better horse I guess. There are no excuses, James (Doyle, jockey) had a big problem pulling him up - again. He went miles down the back straight so a mile will suit and maybe a slightly better pace would help. I thought he had every chance.”

Dundonnell holds entries in the Juddmonte Royal Lodge and the Dubai Dewhurst, both held at Newmarket, but Charlton was non committal about the colt’s next appearance. “There is no decisions as to where he is going to run at this stage - there is no need to rush a decision.” said Charlton.

Frankie Dettori, who rode the third home, Tha’ir, said: “It was a good race but I was third best.”