'It was an easy win' - Topgear motors home to leave connections eyeing Middle East riches

Thoughts on the Rowley Mile were turning to winter and the riches that lay in the Middle East in the months ahead, particularly for those involved with Topgear.

Sent over from France by trainer Christopher Head to contest the Group 2 Thoroughbred Industry Awards Challenge Stakes, the five-year-old was different gear as he surged well clear of Royal Scotsman under jockey Stephane Pasquier.

Topgear had been unbeaten in three runs as a juvenile in 2021, and Pasquier was impressed with the performance from his mount, who could head for races such as the Group 2 Turf Sprint on the Saudi Cup card.

“He’s easy to ride and it was an easy win,” said Pasquier said. “Last time at Longchamp was very impressive so I’m happy he’s done that. When he was a two-year-old he was unbeaten and I definitely thought he was a Group 1 horse. He’s coming back slowly so I’m very happy.

“The plan was to go to Saudi Arabia, but there are a lot of good races he can go for now.”

Verse on song

It was not just Desert Flower who impressed for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin with an eye to next year’s Classics as Verse Of Love ran out an eyecatching winner of the 7f fillies’ maiden.

Ridden by William Buick, Verse Of Love was five lengths clear of her stablemate Wild Angel at the line and is likely to be in the mix come the run-up to next year’s Betfred 1,000 Guineas.

Verse Of Love was far too good in the 7f fillies' maidenCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Appleby said: “We’ve given her a lot of time and she’s been on the back-burner. It’s only in the last three or four weeks when we’ve asked her to do more, and each time she’s stepped up a group and done well.

“It’s nice to go into the winter with that run under her belt, and she’ll come back for a Classic trial in the spring – she deserves to have a crack at a race like that.”

Coto collects

Joint-trainers Simon and Ed Crisford have had some talented sprinters go through their hands in recent years, not least last year’s Group 1 Middle Park and Prix Morny winner Vandeek.

Arabian Dusk struck for the training duo in this year's Group 2 Duchess of Cambridge Stakes, and it was another sprinting filly who was on the mark for them in the Group 3 Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project Cornwallis Stakes as Coto De Caza got up a head of steam up the stands' rail under Harry Davies.

Owned by Mohammed Sultan, Coto De Caza narrowly got the better of Grande Marques, who raced on the opposite side of the course.

Ed Crisford said: “She did that really well and was very game, it’s just about keeping a lid on her. If that’s the case she can put up another performance like she did there. She’s a quality filly who still has some growing to do.”

'Fun' ride for Egan

David Egan produced perhaps the most accomplished ride of the day when picking his way through various gaps to deliver Sun God to victory in the bet365 Old Rowley Cup.

Trained by Hughie Morrison for owner-breeders Ben and Sir Martyn Arbib, Sun God was three and three-quarter lengths clear of Mount Atlas on crossing the line, with his rider hardly able to stop smiling as he went to weigh in.

“That was a fun ride!” he said. “It was one where you really had to weave your way through, it reminded me of that video game G1 Jockey, where you have to do that on the horses.

“He’s a confidence horse and he’s got a lot of talent. He doesn't want to be in front with three furlongs to run and I’ve ridden him before so I understand him a bit more now.

“I’ve ridden a bit for Hughie this year and I’m getting to know how he likes his horses ridden. This one quickened up so well in what looked a competitive field. It was excellent.”

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