racing news/

Afsare Powers to Celebration Mile Victory
24/08/13

1 Afsare 11/8F
2 Stipulate 15/2
3 Trade Storm 8/1
8 ran Distances: 2l, ½l, shd
TIME 1m 38.60s (slow by 1.60s)

The tricky Afsare once again showed his class with a most impressive victory in the Betfair Celebration Mile at Goodwood.

Afsare
© Racehorse Photos

The six-year-old's talent has never been in doubt, but issues with the stalls have prevented him fulfilling his huge potential. However, Luca Cumani's six-year-old appeared a reformed character when dropped to a mile for the Sovereign Stakes at Salisbury earlier in the month and he was an 11-8 favourite as he took the step up to Group Two level.

After a few nervous moments at the start, Afsare jumped away with no problems and travelled powerfully throughout the contest. He arrived on the scene still full of running on the far rail and extended well in the closing stages to strike by two lengths.

Stipulate and Trade Storm were second and third respectively, with last year's winner Premio Loco far from disgraced in fourth.

Cumani's wife Sara said: "I was very worried because everything didn't feel quite right today. The ground went against us and then there were the stalls. I was a bit nervous, but he did it beautifully.

"He travelled well, as he always does, but when a horse doesn't like the ground, you don't really know until they come off the bridle. He's got a good burst (of speed), he doesn't last too long.

"I still think there are lots of opportunities in America for him, but there is the stalls issue. There's all sort of options for him. I think the QEII could come under consideration, but we will have to see."

Betfair Celebration Mile
£100,000 added, 3yo plus, 1m, Class 1
8 ran
Going: Good