William Hill Jockey Club Stakes |
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| Group 2, Newmarket 16:10 £125,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 1m 4f, Class 1  |
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1 Outbox 50/1
2 Time Lock 11/8F
3
Naqeeb 8/1
6 ran Distances: 2½l, 1¼l, 1l
Time: 2m 33.49s (slow by 5.09s)
The old boy has still got it!
— Newmarket Racecourse (@NewmarketRace) May 3, 2024
OUTBOX wins the Group 2 @WillHillRacing Jockey Club Stakes with a strong ride from Hollie Doyle for Archie Watson. pic.twitter.com/5551LndnSZ
Outbox, the nine-year-old veteran performer, made a stunning comeback by securing a shock 50-1 victory at Newmarket. This marked his first success in over two years, and it was a welcome return to form after a period of relative quiet.
Guided by regular rider Hollie Doyle, Outbox seized the initiative right from the start, dictating the pace as the runners entered the dip. Despite the efforts of Harry Charlton’s 11-8 favorite, Time Lock, Outbox galloped on to win by two and a half lengths, claiming his first Group Two victory. A remarkable achievement for a horse that has been a stalwart of Archie Watson’s string throughout his career.
Doyle said: “I was quite surprised and he’s got so much ability, but he’s so quirky.
“He loves being fresh and I got an easy lead and he just got in such a good rhythm, enjoying himself – he’s a Group Two winner now.
“I built the pace between the four (furlong marker) and the three, and then between the three and the two I kind of slipped them a little bit. I knew he’d stay and it’s nice to have him back.
“I’ve had some really good days on him and his last win was the Amir Trophy two years ago so he was due one. He’s nine now and a bit of a yard legend. When he’s good, he’s good.”
Time Lock headed into the race as a track-and-trip winner after securing Group Three honours on the Rowley Mile last September and although she ultimately failed to repeat that success on her return, her trainer was keen to take positives.
She has a main summer target of the Group One Yorkshire Oaks during York’s Ebor meeting and could now head to Royal Ascot for an outing in the Hardwicke Stakes.
“She ran well and Ryan (Moore) was very happy with her, it was just the stop-start pace that didn’t play into her hands,” said Charlton.
“He was hoping the two in front may have pushed on to the leader and then Hollie kept going and quickened away from the three.
“I think the key to her is pace and wherever she gets some pace, she will show her best.
“She could run in something like the Hardwicke, but her main aim is the Yorkshire Oaks.”
Jockey Club Stakes
£125,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 1m 4f, Class 1
6 ran
Going: Good
POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (4) Outbox 9 9-5 Archie Watson Hollie Doyle 50/1
2 (1) 2½ Time Lock 5 9-2 Harry Charlton Ryan Moore 11/8F
3 (5) 1¼ Naqeeb 4 9-5 William Haggas Jim Crowley 8/1
1 (6) 1 Astro King 7 9-5 Daniel & Claire Kubler Richard Kingscote 11/2
3 (2) 2¼ King Of Conquest 5 9-5 Charlie Appleby James Doyle 5/1
2 (3) 32 Castle Way 4 9-5 Charlie Appleby William Buick 7/2
