Royal Ascot

Royal Ascot 2008

Campanologist Rings One Up for Frankie
20/06/08

1st (3) Campanologist 9-1
2nd (5) Conduit 11-4 Fav
3rd (8) Top Lock 40-1
9 ran
Also: 13-2 All The Aces 4th

Frankie Dettori enjoyed his first winner of Royal Ascot 2008 aboard the Godolphin colt Campanologist in the ‘Ascot Derby’ - the Group Two King Edward VII Stakes over a mile and a half.

The Kingmambo colt, a 9/1 chance, benefited from a fine tactical ride from Dettori. He led virtually from pillar to post and stayed on well to see off first the challenge of Top Lock, and then that of the fast-finishing runner-up Conduit.

Dettori, who was registering his 40th career success at the Royal Meeting, said: “I think I was on suicide watch as I hadn’t ridden a winner this week! The boys in the weighing room had to hide all knives and ropes from me! I’ve been getting so much stick from everybody, even Princess Anne yesterday gave me a bit of stick. It’s not a sprint it’s a mile and I’m glad I got one - I know it’s Friday.

"I had a good partner, with a lot of courage and we crossed the line first believe it or not! Obviously I wanted a good position and I didn’t really want a mile and a half test so I tried to slow it down, without slowing it down too much so I had enough petrol to get to the end. When I asked him to quicken, he quickened straightaway. When I heard the roar from the crowd, I knew something was coming but I had enough rope left to get to me to the line. It’s easy to do that with a good horse like him.

“The Irish Derby could come a bit quick for him as it is only the weekend after next, I think. Something like the Great Voltigeur at York could be the race for him. The options are open and I will leave all the decisions to Sheikh Mohammed, Saeed and Simon.”

Successful trainer Saeed bin Suroor, scoring a 29th Royal Ascot success, said: “I am very happy that the horse has won a Group Two race over a mile and a half.

“The horse had improved a lot since his last run at Lingfield and the step up in distance helped him today.

“Frankie was very happy after his last piece of work.

“We will keep all our options open. We will see how the horse comes out of the race before making any decisions.

“He is a strong, tough horse and I think there could be better to come from him next year.

“He is very honest and always tries hard.”

Looking ahead to the future, Godolphin’s racing manager Simon Crisford added: “The stamina question might make him doubtful for the St Leger.

“He could maybe go for the Great Voltigeur, but the St Leger is a totally different ball game at this stage.”

Sponsors Ladbrokes rate Campanologist at 14/1 for the final Classic of the season behind Conduit (7/1).

CONDUIT JUSTIFIES SUPPLEMENTARY ENTRY

The 11/4 favourite Conduit failed by three-quarters of a length to catch the front-running Campanologist in the King Edward VII Stakes and rewarded connections’ decision to pay a £20,000 supplementary entry stage.

“He is progressing nicely and justified the supplementary entry fee,” said the runner-up’s trainer Sir Michael Stoute. “He’s had two runs in 13 days now so we’ll back off him and freshen him up.”

Conduit was cut from 14/1 to 7/1 for the Ladbrokes St Leger in September with the final Classic’s sponsor. “That’s a long way off, it’s only June now so we’ll have to see,” added Stoute.

Andrew Balding, trainer of third-placed Top Lock, said: “He’s improving all the time and getting wiser. We were looking at the German Derby a fortnight on Sunday and will have to consider it because it’s a valuable race but he has had a hard race today.

“Longer term we’ll think of the St Leger - he’ll probably fall short of that this year but he’ll be a hell of a horse next season.”

Fourth-placed All The Aces was quoted at 25/1 for the Ladbrokes St Leger with the sponsor and his trainer Michael Jarvis said: “I’m very pleased with that, he was getting back into the race and in another furlong he would have been placed.

“The Leger is the objective but he had a hard race today and will have a bit of a break now and maybe have a prep race in mid August.”

Bronze Cannon, the 100/30 second favourite, finished seventh and his trainer John Gosden said: “He kept on well but we were slightly in the wrong place but that’s just life. I have to say Frankie was at his best and simply beat them.”