Caravaggio delivers another masterpiece to remain unbeaten

A brilliant surge of speed carried Caravaggio to a thrilling victory in the Commonwealth Cup, with the Aidan O’Brien colt retaining his unbeaten record and putting up a career-best performance in the Group 1 contest.

Anticipating fireworks in a major race can often lead to disappointment, but this was a glorious exception with the first three in the market producing a marvellous battle for speed supremacy and Caravaggio emerging on top to bring his tally to six from six.

The Darley July Cup and Australia's new mega-rich Everest Sprint in October were mentioned as possible targets for the winner.

Regarded by his trainer as the fastest horse he has trained, Caravaggio cut down the Godolphin pair Harry Angel and Blue Point in the closing stages of the six-furlong sprint to win by three-quarters of a length and half a length.

Coolmore supremo John Magnier (right) was back in the winner's enclosure after Caravaggio's triumphCredit: Edward Whitaker

Two furlongs from the finish the 5-6 favourite had plenty of work to do, but when Ryan Moore set him alight, the son of Scat Daddy went into overdrive and fully lived up to his big reputation.

O’Brien said: “He’s a brilliant horse. His change of pace is unreal. He’s just an unbelievably quick horse. Ryan [Moore] was very confident. He said he wasn’t going to rush him, he was going to come late and that’s what he did.

"I don’t think we’ve ever had a quicker horse. It was only his second start of the season and we knew it was three-year-olds today but it would be older horses next time, so I’m delighted.

O'Brien added: “He only raced for about two and a half furlongs. He was just ready to step up another notch. I was very nervous, but Ryan was very cool.

“The owners wanted to come here and then take on the older horses a bit later on, maybe in the Darley July Cup.” Paddy Power make him 11-10 favourite (from 9-4) for that event.

Moore said: “Caravaggio is a very, very good horse. He’s done everything right, as his record shows. He won the Coventry and the Phoenix Stakes last year and was good on his return at Naas, but today was his biggest test and he showed what ability he has.

"That was an exceptional race and he beat two very good horses. There's quite a headwind and it has been hard to make up ground today and yesterday.

"They made him work, but he picked them up really well in the end. He reared in the stalls before the starter let them go but soon got into a good rhythm."

Looking further ahead, a trip to Australia for the world's richest race in October could be on the cards. O'Brien said: “The lads have it in their heads about the Everest Sprint in the autumn."

Coolmore chief John Magnier, back at his favourite meeting having had a tough time with illness in recent years, said: “That was wonderful – a very good performance. It came along at the right time, just like the cavalry.”

Commonwealth Cup result and analysis