2012 Jockey Club Stakes

Tweet

racing_news/

Universal Strikes in Jockey Club Stakes
04/05/13

1 Universal 11/4
2 Dandino 9/4
3 Wigmore Hall 13/2
4 ran Distances: nk, 2½l, nk
TIME 2m 32.83s (slow by 4.83s)

Mark Johnston's Universal continued his progression by winning the Group Two Qatar Bloodstock Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket.

Universal shows courage to beat Dandino

Joe Fanning set out to make all in the four-runner field on the John Porter winner, but Dandino challenged hard and took up the running two furlongs out.

The threat probably helped Universal as on meeting the rising ground, he had something to aim at, and the 11-4 chance battled back to run out a neck winner.

Frankel's brother Noble Mission had finished behind Universal last time out but was sent off favourite to make amends, although he never looked like winning this time.

Fanning said: "He's come on again since last time and he's been running great since he got back from Dubai, he's a tough horse. I was quite happy when Johnny (Murtagh) took me on as he picked up again."

Johnston added: "I love winning races like that. It was a little bit like Newbury when they were all queueing up behind him and you think they are going to sweep past, but he finds more.

"He's got plenty of big entries, like the Hardwicke at Ascot, but we might go for a Group One next. I haven't thought about Melbourne, but anything is possible."

Marco Botti has his sights set on the Melbourne Cup in the long term with Dandino.

He said: "It was a good first run, they didn't go very quick. Ascot would be a possibility and longer term we're thinking of the Melbourne Cup."

Qatar Bloodstock Jockey Club Stakes (Group 2)
£100,000 added, 4yo plus, 1m 4f, Class 1
4 ran
Going: Good to Firm