Betfred Howard Wright Doncaster Cup 4j2l5j |
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| Group 2, Doncaster 15:35 £140,000 added, 3yo plus, 2m 2f, Class 1  |
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135nu
1 Sweet William 7/4F
2 Trueshan 10/3
3 Point Lonsdale 5/1
6 ran Distances: 1l, 1¼l, 1½l
Time: 3m 54.17s (slow by 0.77s)
Sweet William bounces back in the Doncaster Cup for Rab Havlin and The Gosdens 🏆👏
— Champions Series (@ChampionsSeries) September 13, 2024
pic.twitter.com/Vi18ItWjZo
Sweet William finally had his moment in the spotlight by turning the tables on last year’s winner, Trueshan.
Trained by John and Thady Gosden and owned by Philippa Cooper, this five-year-old has consistently performed well in top staying events, often settling for minor honours.
After finishing third to Kyprios in the Gold Cup at Ascot and then chasing Aidan O’Brien’s star in the Goodwood equivalent, Sweet William was the 7-4 favourite to triumph at Town Moor. Despite a slow start under his regular jockey, Robert Havlin, he stayed close to the action as Trueshan led with a narrow advantage over Sweet William’s stablemate, Gregory.
As they entered the straight, Gregory came under pressure, and Sweet William began to edge into contention. With a furlong and a half to go, Havlin sent Sweet William forward, displaying a remarkable turn of foot to surge past Trueshan. Although Trueshan rallied and closed the gap, Sweet William held on to win by a length, marking Clarehaven’s fourth victory in the Doncaster staying showpiece.
Havlin commented, “I kicked on early because he was travelling so well. We’ve been trying different things with him at home, like letting him lead. We also adjusted his visor to help him see better. He’s improving, but we must he had seven screws inserted in his leg when he was younger, which can take a mental toll. Despite this, he’s never finished outside the top three in his career. He deserved this win.”
Havlin added, “He quickened really well today, and nothing was going to stop him. I love riding him; he’s a character and truly deserved to win a race like this.”
Doncaster Cup
(British Champions Series) (Group 2)
£140,000 added, 3yo plus, 2m 2f, Class 1
6 ran
Going: Good to Soft, Good in places
POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (1) Sweet William 5 9-7 John & Thady Gosden Robert Havlin 7/4F
2 (2) 1 Trueshan 8 9-7 Alan King Hollie Doyle 100/30
3 (6) 1¼ Point Lonsdale 5 9-7 A P O'Brien Ryan Moore 5/1
4 (5) 1½ Coltrane 7 9-7 Andrew Balding Oisin Murphy 11/1
5 (3) 1 Gregory 4 9-7 John & Thady Gosden James Doyle 100/30
6 (4) 20 Wise Eagle 7 9-7 Adam Nicol Daniel Tudhope 66/1
RECENT WINNERS
Year Horse Trainer Jockey Owner SP
2011 Saddler’s Rock John Oxx IRE Niall McCullagh Michael O’Flynn 11/2
2010 Samuel John Gosden William Buick Normandie Stud Ltd 5/1
2009 Askar Tau Marcus Tregoning Ryan Moore Nurlan Bizakov 5/2
2008 Honolulu Aidan O’Brien IRE Johnny Murtagh Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor 15/8 fav
2007 Septimus Aidan O'Brien IRE Johnny Murtagh Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor 11/10 fav
2006 Sergeant Cecil Rod Millman Frankie Dettori Terry Cooper Evens fav
2005 Millenary John Dunlop Richard Quinn Neil Jones 11/4
2004 DH Kasthari Howard Johnson Johnny Murtagh Elliott Bros 14/1
DH Millenary John Dunlop Richard Quinn Neil Jones 7/1
2003 Persian Punch David Elsworth Martin Dwyer Jeff Smith 3/1
2002 Boreas Luca Cumani Jamie Spencer Aston House Stud 7/2
2001 Alleluia Sir Mark Prescott Jamie Mackay Sonia Rogers 14/1
2000 Enzeli John Oxx IRE Johnny Murtagh H H Aga Khan 15/2
1999 Far Cry Martin Pipe Kevin Darley Nicky Chambers 6/1
