Qatar Richmond Stakes
Group 2, Goodwood 14:35 £75,000 added, 2yo only, 6f, Class 1
Thursday 28th July 2016

1 Mehmas 7/2
2 Blue Point 5/6F
3 Intelligence Cross 5/2
NR: Ardad (IRE)
4 ran Distances: nk, 3l, 2¼l
TIME 1m 11.00s (slow by 1.20s)

Mehmas outbattles favourite Blue Point to win the Richmond Stakes for Frankie Dettori and Richard Hannon

Mehmas
© Racehorse Photos

Mehmas had to dig deep to repel the challenge of runner-up and 5/6 favourite Blue Point, and the two-year-old stuck to his guns admirably, eventually prevailing by a neck, with the pair three lengths clear of their other two rivals.

Trainer Richard Hannon was delighted with the performance of Mehmas and revealed that the son of Acclamation was likely to head to a Group One race next time out.

"He's very tough," said Hannon.

"I love the horse. He is very tough and has done nothing wrong all year. He is a horse we like a lot - the Sheikh likes him (Sheikh Joaan - owner of Al Shaqab Racing) and I love him even more now.

"Ultimately he is extremely talented. We'll utilise him this year as a two-year-old and probably think about either the Prix Morny (at Deauville) or the National Stakes (at the Curragh).

"I was delighted with him today. He's carried a 3lb penalty and has been on the go all year. He doesn't do a lot at home and is just a lovely horse to have around.

"He's quite impressive. I think maybe this will be his year rather than next year but I wouldn't put anything beyond him. He'll get seven and a half furlongs and he's beaten most of the best juveniles around so why not strike while the iron is hot? We need to win a Group One with him and what we do after that we will have to wait and see.

"We'll see how he does over the winter. He's very simple and straight forward and a joy to work with. I thought he was a little bit on his toes today but maybe he's just realising where he is now as he's so relaxed at home."

Qatar Richmond Stakes (Group 2)
£200,000 added, 2yo only, 6f, Class 1
4 ran
Going: Good to Firm

BLUE LEFT WITH POINT TO PROVE

Charlie Appleby was pleased with the run of 5/6 favourite Blue Point in the Group Two Qatar Richmond Stakes after his charge finished a neck second to Richard Hannon's Mehmas.

The Godolphin-owned colt made the running in the six-furlong contest and was challenged for the lead around the furlong pole. Mehmas and Blue Point engaged in a fight all the way to the line inside the final furlong with Frankie Dettori just getting the better of Blue Point and James Doyle.

Appleby said: "We've been beaten by a nice horse there [Mehmas]. He was placed at Royal Ascot and was a July Stakes winner. I just think it is inexperience that caught us out there.

"Blue Point has been asked to go about his business and I was really pleased when Frankie's horse came to him and we quickened and got that neck up on him. But Frankie just has that experience and was able to outbattle us in the end.

"Blue Point will come forward for that for sure. He is still a very talented horse. He likes to get into a rhythm and, at halfway, I was very happy with what I was seeing - he was starting to step through the gears."

Appleby also suggested a stronger pace in the race would have suited the son of Shamardal. The Godolphin handler commented: "We will stick to six furlongs but unfortunately we knew we were going to struggle today as there wasn't much pace in the race so we wanted to go out there and keep and simple and get him into a rhythm. We just have to make sure there is pace in the race for him next time.

Appleby suggested the Prix Morny at Deauville as a possible target for the colt. He remarked: "He is a horse who we still hold in high regard and we will look for something like the Prix Morny (G1, 6f, Deauville, August 21) for him."