By Tom Frary
Still a maiden entering Wednesday's Listed Windsor Castle S. at Royal Ascot, Southern Hills (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) had faced a tough introduction when pitched into the Listed Marble Hill S. at The Curragh May 24 and showed why with a bold showing until fading out of contention late to be last of the five. He had run to a high standard again next time when caught close home by the G2 Norfolk S. contender Air Force Jet (GB) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) in a five-furlong maiden which the pair dominated, pulling 14 lengths clear of the third, at Navan June 1. Having to wait while Show Me Show Me (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) broke through the stalls and was withdrawn, the chestnut who was drawn nearest the stand's side–which again proved best at this meeting–showed speed to stay near enough to the frenetic pace. Sent to the front with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining, he stayed on with a professionalism to belie his inexperience to account for Godolphin's Platinum Star (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) as the Northern raider Glasvegas (Ire) (Zebedee {GB}) flashed home to fill the frame.
In his exploits, Southern Hills was picking a grand stage to provide his sire with a first black-type winner and Aidan O'Brien was keen to recommend the Gleneagles progeny after welcoming his 68th Royal Ascot scorer. “The Gleneagles offspring are fast and they are brave, which are two massive things in a horse. That's evident in his stock so far,” he said. “He handled the hold-up well. He's got a good mind. They have those traits; they have pace, they are brave and they've got good minds. I should have thought that five or six furlongs would be his trip, because he's got so much speed.”
Saeed bin Suroor said of the second Platinum Star, who was another placed juvenile on the day for the stable, “He ran very well. He has won over six furlongs, but a stiff five would be a good trip for him. We will be looking for a group race for him, he is a class horse. The ground was a bit heavy for him today.” Jockey Christophe Soumillon added, “I was behind the winner and came through very easily thinking I would catch him, but my horse got a bit tired.”
Southern Hills' ground-versatile dam, who raced for David Wachman and was smart enough to finish runner-up in the six-furlong G3 Round Tower S., hails from the family of the G3 Somerville Tattersalls S. winner Governor Brown (Kingmambo) and fellow sire Hataab (Woodman). Also related to last year's G1 Sistema S. hero Sword of Osman (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}), Remember You has a yearling full-brother to the winner to follow.
Wednesday, Royal Ascot, Britain
WINDSOR CASTLE S.-Listed, £90,000, Ascot, 6-19, 2yo, 5fT, 1:03.05, sf.
1–SOUTHERN HILLS (IRE), 129, c, 2, by Gleneagles (Ire)
1st Dam: Remember You (Ire) (GSP-Ire), by Invincible Spirit (Ire)
2nd Dam: Miss Dela (Ire), by King's Best
3rd Dam: Miss Mistletoes (Ire), by The Minstrel
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. O-Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £51,039. Lifetime Record: 3-1-1-0, $69,171. *1st winner for frshman sire (by Galileo {Ire}).
2–Platinum Star (Ire), 129, c, 2, Lope de Vega (Ire)–Toquette (Ire), by Acclamation (GB). (150,000gns Ylg '18 TAOCT). O-Godolphin. £19,350.
3–Glasvegas (Ire), 129, c, 2, Zebedee (GB)–Rejuvenation (Ire), by Singspiel (Ire). (€50,000 Ylg '18 GOFSPT). O-Weldspec Glasgow Ltd. £9,684.
Margins: HF, HD, HD. Odds: 7.00, 8.00, 25.00.
Also Ran: Symbolize (Ire), Illusionist (Ger), Summer Sands (GB), Electric Ladyland (Ire), Taxiwala (Ire), Red Epaulette (Ire), Rayong (GB), Wheels On Fire (Fr), Bill Neigh (GB), Temple of Heaven (GB), Dylan de Vega (GB), Karak, Iffraaz (Ire), Iva Reflection (Ire), Charlemaine (Ire), Paper Star (GB), Foolish Humor, Better the Devil. Scratched: Ivatheengine (Ire), Show Me Show Me (GB), Lady Quickstep (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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