By Tom Frary
Sir Evelyn de Rothschild's Crystal Ocean (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) is proof that reliability and consistency can translate to damning praise, but the 'TDN Rising Star' was just admirably honest and genuine again on Saturday as he registered back-to-back renewals of Newbury's G3 Al Rayyan S., or Aston Park S. Described as still unfurnished by Sir Michael Stoute despite his notable achievements as a 3-year-old, the homebred is now feeding back the rewards for his trainer's much-discussed patient approach as he nears his most demanding test yet at Royal Ascot. Taking a straightforward course of action in the saddle as he generally does, Ryan Moore stuck close to the early leader and despite being attacked by Raymond Tusk three out coaxed the 2-9 favourite to the front a furlong later en route to another authoritative two-length success from Laraaib (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}).
Whether Crystal Ocean possesses the speed to deal with the likes of Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) and Sea of Class (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) in the June 19 G1 Prince of Wales's. at Royal Ascot remains to be seen, as the 2017 G1 St Leger runner-up has been short of his peak when winning the last two renewals of Sandown's G3 Gordon Richards S. over that 10-furlong trip.
“I've seen him be more impressive, but that was a good workmanlike performance and we're happy with that,” his trainer commented after recording a seventh success in this contest. “My preference at this stage at Royal Ascot is for the Prince of Wales's. A mile and a quarter is not a problem, the problem will be the opposition.”
Pedigree Notes
Now a six-times pattern-race winner, Crystal Ocean has three half-siblings in his mold including the GI Canadian International S. hero Hillstar (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and the high-class mare Crystal Capella (GB) by Sea the Stars' sire Cape Cross (Ire). The Listed Radley S.-winning dam Crystal Star (GB) (Mark of Esteem {Ire}), who was also runner-up in the G3 Fred Darling S., is a granddaughter of Krisalya (GB) (Kris {GB}). A half-sister to the G1 Prix d'Ispahan hero Sasuru (GB) (Most Welcome {GB}) and the G2 Challenge S. winner Sally Rous (Ire) (Rousillon), she produced the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Rose Gypsy (GB) to a mating with Cape Cross's sire Green Desert.
Saturday, Newbury, Britain
AL RAYYAN S. (REGISTERED AS THE ASTON PARK S.)-G3, £100,000, Newbury, 5-18, 4yo/up, 12fT, 2:33.78, gd.
1–CRYSTAL OCEAN (GB), 129, h, 5, by Sea the Stars (Ire)
1st Dam: Crystal Star (GB) (SW & GSP-Eng), by Mark of Esteem (Ire)
2nd Dam: Crystal Cavern, by Be My Guest
3rd Dam: Krisalya (GB), by Kris (GB)
'TDN Rising Star' O-Sir Evelyn de Rothschild; B-Southcourt Stud
(GB); T-Sir Michael Stoute; J-Ryan Moore. £56,710. Lifetime
Record: MG1SP-Eng, 14-7-5-2, $1,502,187. *1/2 to Hillstar
(GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), Hwt. 3yo-Eng at 11-14f,
GISW-Can, MGSW & G1SP-Eng, $1,221,978; Crystal Capella
(GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), Hwt. Older Mare-Eng at 9.5-11f &
MGSW-Eng, $550,532; and Crystal Zvezda (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}),
SW-Eng. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk
Nick Rating: A++.
2–Laraaib (Ire), 129, h, 5, Pivotal (GB)–Sahool (GB), by
Unfuwain. O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum;
B-Shadwell Estate Company Ltd (IRE); T-Owen Burrows.
£21,500.
3–Raymond Tusk (Ire), 131, c, 4, High Chaparral (Ire)–Dancing
Shoes (Ire), by Danehill. (€85,000 Ylg '16 ARAUG).
O-Middleham Park Racing XXXI & K Sohi; B-Lynch-Bages &
Rhinestone Bloodstock (IRE); T-Richard Hannon. £10,760.
Margins: 2, 3, 1. Odds: 0.20, 6.00, 10.00.
Also Ran: Pivoine (Ire), Top Tug (Ire), Red Verdon, Count Calabash (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
