2012 Great Voltigeur

racing_news/

Telescope Takes Great Voltigeur Win
21/08/13

1 Telescope 5/4 Fav
2 Foundry 5/1
3 Secret Number 5/1
7 ran Distances: 1¼l, ½l, 1½l
TIME 2m 29.32s (slow by 0.02s)

Telescope justified 5-4 favouritism to take the Neptune Investment Management Great Voltigeur Stakes at York in workmanlike fashion.

Telescope
© Racehorse Photos

Once favourite for the Epsom Derby, Telescope had been turned over at long odds-on just 11 days ago in the Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock, but trainer Sir Michael Stoute had no doubts about running him again so soon.

He was keen early on his first start over a mile and a half as he was settled in third, but Ryan Moore struck for home well over two furlongs out and although Aidan O'Brien's lightly-raced Foundry closed to within a length and a quarter, Telescope never looked like being caught.

He would need to be supplemented for the Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster, but was also given quotes for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Moore said: "He's won the Voltigeur on his fifth start and has never been out the first two - he's not done a great deal wrong in his life."

Harry Herbert, managing director of Telescope's owners, Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, said: "It's such a relief for all involved with the horse, especially Sir Michael and his team. It's thrilling to see him do it so impressively.

"There was a feeling the Leger wouldn't work as he was showing so much speed early on but we'll have to have a good think and let the dust settle."

Foundry
© Caroline Norris

"We might have to go to the well and supplement him for it. I know it sounds boring, but nothing is ruled out. There are races like the Arc, and I'm sure we'll just wait for the dust to settle and talk to Sir Michael."

Stoute said: "He's a big, scopey horse - let's hope he'll be a better four-year-old. Next stop is Newmarket back to Freemason Lodge, so there'll be plenty of time to think about it (the Leger)."

O'Brien said of Foundry: "We're delighted with him. He's just ready to be racing and it was a good run. He's in the Leger, so he'd be a definite possible."

Secret Number representing Saeed bin Suroor, ran well to come home third.

The three-year-old son of Raven's Pass broke quickly and raced prominently before settling in fourth under Silvestre de Sousa after the first quarter-mile.

He stayed on to take third entering the final furlong and galloped all the way to the line, going down by a length & three quarters to the victorious Telescope, who scored in 2m 29.32s on good to firm ground.

Saeed bin Suroor commented: "Secret Number ran a nice race but the ground was a bit too fast for him today. He tried very hard again and the winner is a very good horse.

"We will keep our options open regarding the Ladbrokes St Leger (Group One, Doncaster, September 14)."

Neptune Investment Management Great Voltigeur Stakes (Group 2)
£150,000 added, 3yo only, 1m 4f, Class 1
7 ran
Going: Good to Firm