Toronado shows Champagne sparkle
Saturday 15 September 2012
1 Toronado (R Hughes) 11-4
2 Dundonnell (J Doyle) 5-6 Fav
3 Tha'ir (L Dettori) 9-2
Richard Hughes gave Toronado a superb ride to run out an all-the-way winner of the One Call Champagne Stakes at Doncaster.
The unbeaten Richard Hannon-trained winner (11-4) had to withstand a strong challenge from 5-6 favourite Dundonnell from a furlong and a half out, but would not be denied, scoring by half a length with the pair pulling nicely clear.
"I always thought he was a good horse and today he's proved it. This horse needs a mile, but I wasn't going to go fast enough to set it up for the rest," said the jockey.
"I was in a Catch 22 situation. No-one else was going to make it, so I had to make sure of my own gallop. I had to go slow and quicken up gradually from the three-furlong pole. I loved the way he quickened up. You had to be impressed with that."
Richard Hannon jnr, assistant to his father, added: "Hughesie went out to make it a test. He did it the hard way - they all had a chance to beat him and he hung on in the end. He's one of the best (two-year-old) colts we've got.
"He'll probably come back here for the Racing Post Trophy, but he was bought in France, so there's a chance he might go for the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere as there's a French premium.
"He's also in the Dewhurst, so he's got those options, but I would say the Racing Post Trophy is probably the favourite. Then there's the Guineas next year and maybe the Derby."
Toronado was trimmed to 14-1 from 20s for the 2000 Guineas and 16-1 from 25s for the Derby with Coral. Ladbrokes quote him at 16-1 for the Guineas, while Paddy Power have him at 16-1 for both Classics.
Dundonnell's trainer Roger Charlton said: "I thought he ran very well and was just beaten by a better horse on the day, I guess.
"James (Doyle) had a big problem pulling him up again and he'll get a mile, but no decisions have been made about other races. My only excuse would be that a stronger pace would have suited."
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