Chichester, England: Pushed by jockey Frankie Dettori at the last furlong, Shalaa raced to an easy two-and-three-quarter lengths victory to bag the Qatar Richmond Stakes at the Qatar Goodwood Festival here yesterday.
From Qatar’s Al Shaqab Racing Centre and trained by John Gosden, Shalaa was not instantly in his preferred front-running role with Riflescope pressing on but it took less than a furlong for Dettori to get to the lead in the Group II race over six furlong for two-year-old Colts and Geldings.
Rolling along in front of the nine horses, Shalaa looked comfortable with Dettori crouched and comfortable over his mount’s withers waiting to press the button and go.
Shalaa’s rivals came under pressure while Dettori sat still until with just over a furlong to go Shalaa was let loose. Shalaa came home two-and-three-quarter lengths clear of Tasleet, ridden by jockey Paul Hanagan, with Steady Pace in third, one-and-a-quarter length behind.
Dettori rode his second juvenile winner of the week having captured the Group 2 Qatar Vintage Stakes on Al Shaqab’s Galileo Gold.
Commenting on Shalaa’s fine run, the jockey said: “He’s got lots of speed, a good head on him and he did quicken up there. I’m happy to take a lead but
there isn’t a two-year-old fast enough to lead him so I have to make my own way home. He’s getting a lot better. He’s in a good place now.”
Dettori was not on board Shalaa when he won the Group 2 Arqana July Stakes earlier this month, meaning the winner carried a 3lb penalty at Goodwood, and the rider added, “We think the world of him and he proved it today with a penalty.”
Big Orange won the day’s second event, the Qatar Goodwood Cup (Group 2) over two miles for three years and above, which saw 12 horses.
The Princess of Wales’s winner, followed up that Group 2 success to bag another here by a neck in a thrilling three-way finish between Michael Bell’s four-year-old, 9-2 favourite Quest For More who came in a shorthead ahead of Trip To Paris.
Simple Verse won the day’s third race, the Lillie Langtry Stakes (Group 3) for fillies and mares over one mile and six furlongs.
The three-year-old who made her debut in February continued her climb up the racing ranks with a strong staying performance to win under jockey Harry Bentley for trainer Ralph Beckett.
QNA
