Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes |
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Group 1, York 15:40 £310,000 added, 2yo plus, 5f, Class 1 |
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Friday 21st August 2015 |
1 Mecca's Angel 15/2
2 Acapulco 13/8F
3 Mattmu 12/1
4 Sole Power 8/1
NR: Take Cover
19 ran Distances: 2l, 2l, ½l
TIME 57.24s (fast by 0.06s)
"It's been worth the wait," says trainer Michael Dods after Mecca's Angel wins the Nunthorpe Stakes
The winner completed the transition from handicap performer to top-class sprinter with a running-on success in a dramatic Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York.
Although the race was delayed after Take Cover escaped from the stalls, it had no effect on the Michael Dods-trained runner (15-2) as she wore down short-priced favourite Acapulco to record a two-length success in the five-furlong Group One contest.
Mattmu was the same distance back in third.
Emotional owner David Metcalfe said of the Paul Mulrennan-ridden winner: "He gave her such a fantastic ride it was untrue. He didn't panic and just came through."
Dods said: "We've been lucky because David is the most patient owner and allowed us to say if the ground isn't right we won't run.
"Fair play to everyone involved, we walked the track and we were happy, she'd have preferred even more rain.
"She's a serious horse, she's shown what she can do - it's been worth the wait."
Mulrennan said: "She (Acapulco) gave me a real good run for my money, but this filly is so good when she gets a tow into the race.
"That's my first Group One winner and to do it at York is special. It's great for Michael, too.
"It's very special to do it here, it's our local track and we've told people all year how good she is."
"She's proved today she's the real deal when she can get her toe in.
"I got a great lead off the American horse, I always had my eye on her.
"I think my filly would stay six furlongs. I've just said to Michael it's a pity the July Cup is in the summer because if there's any juice in the ground that's the race for her.
"Because the American horse had such a low weight I didn't want to give too much rope.
"To do it here, the place I lost my claim, and for Michael, who has been a big supporter, is extra special."
Metcalfe would now love to go to Paris on October 4 for a crack at the Prix de l'Abbaye, with the Curragh also on the radar.
He said: "This vindicated why we didn't run her at Royal Ascot. I know people were disappointed, but it's proved today why we didn't run her, she needs to get her toe in.
"It wouldn't have been the same winning at Ascot, this beats it, she's the best I've ever had.
"It's got to be the Abbaye now. I'd like to go back to Ireland first for the Flying Five (September 13)."
Dods said: "It was a marvellous performance and it's great to have a northern winner of the Nunthorpe. She's shown today she's a superstar. Coming here we knew she could finish seventh and run a blinder.
"It was a lot of weight to give to Acapulco, but at the end of the day we were second to Acapulco at Ascot (with Easton Angel) and I just felt this was a much better race. It means a lot to everyone involved.
"Don't take anything away from Acapulco, she's a super filly, but it's nice to get our revenge.
"Paul said she'd get six, but I've no intention of stepping her up yet when she can do this over five."
Stepper Point bled from the nose, hence Martin Dwyer dismounted the gelding after crossing the line.
Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes
(Group 1) (British Champions Series)
£310,000 added, 2yo plus, 5f, Class 1
19 ran
Going: Good to Soft
Pos | Dr | D | Horse SP | Jockey Weight | Trainer | Age |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st | (10) | Mecca's Angel (IRE) 15/2 | P Mulrennan 9-10 |
M Dods | 4 | |
2nd | (4) | 2 | Acapulco (USA) 13/8f | Irad Ortiz Jr 8-0 |
Wesley Ward | 2 |
3rd | (5) | 2 | Mattmu 12/1 | D Allan 9-11 |
T D Easterby | 3 |
4th | (3) | ½ | Sole Power 8/1 | L Dettori 9-13 |
E Lynam | 8 |
5th | (7) | hd | Goldream 20/1 | M Harley 9-13 |
R M H Cowell | 6 |
6th | (12) | 1¼ | Muthmir (IRE) 13/2 | P Hanagan 9-13 |
W J Haggas | 5 |
7th | (11) | nse | Wind Fire (USA) 33/1 | J P Spencer 9-10 |
D H Brown | 4 |
8th | (16) | 1¼ | Pearl Secret 20/1 | Oisin Murphy 9-13 |
T D Barron | 6 |
9th | (13) | 2¾ | Move In Time 20/1 | D Tudhope 9-13 |
D O'Meara | 7 |
10th | (2) | nse | Profitable (IRE) 20/1 | James Doyle 9-11 |
C G Cox | 3 |
11th | (8) | 2¼ | Cotai Glory 25/1 | Graham Gibbons 9-11 |
C Hills | 3 |
12th | (17) | 1¾ | Music Master 25/1 | Dane O'Neill 9-13 |
H Candy | 5 |
13th | (9) | ¾ | Medicean Man 40/1 | P Makin 9-13 |
J Gask | 9 |
14th | (1) | nk | Justineo 66/1 | W Buick 9-13 |
R Varian | 6 |
15th | (14) | ½ | Mirza 50/1 | I Mendizabal 9-13 |
Rae Guest | 8 |
16th | (15) | 4½ | Justice Day (IRE) 66/1 | Hayley Turner 9-13 |
D R C Elsworth | 4 |
17th | (6) | 1 | Canny Kool 66/1 | S De Sousa 9-11 |
B Ellison | 3 |
18th | (18) | 3¾ | Line Of Reason (IRE) 50/1 | G Lee 9-13 |
P T Midgley | 5 |
WN | (19) | Take Cover 20/1 | P J Smullen 9-13 |
D C Griffiths | 8 | |
Also Ran: Stepper Point |