By Tom Frary
Backed with conviction for Saturday's G2 bet365 Superlative S. at Newmarket, Godolphin's TDN Rising Star Quorto (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) gave his supporters few concerns as he emerged clear best in this important juvenile staging post. Showing dash to win a six-furlong novice stakes here on debut June 22, the son of the dual Oaks-placed Volume (GB) (Mount Nelson {GB}) was always going to be stronger over this extra furlong and was duly sent off the 5-4 favourite with punters uninterested in anything else. Racing enthusiastically in the hands of William Buick as Cape of Good Hope (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) led at a steadily-increasing tempo, the handsome bay initially followed Blown By Wind (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) away from that full-brother to Highland Reel (Ire) but his rider was forced to angle him over as his lead began to flounder. Phoenix Thoroughbred Limited's Neverland Rock (GB) (No Nay Never) loomed to Ballydoyle's representative against the stand's rail with just over a furlong remaining, but Quorto was on both their cases and quickly had their measure. Despite not looking entirely comfortable on the fast ground, he stayed on to register a 3 3/4-length success from Cape of Good Hope and provide a passable impression of his sire who took off for the first time in this race in 2004. “He really impressed me there and has done everything right,” Buick said. “He's very natural and it was lovely the way he did that today. He was green, but travelled so well and ideally I'd have liked to have something to follow for a bit longer. He has plenty of speed, so he doesn't need to go any further for now and he'll make into a lovely 3-year-old as well.”
Trainer Charlie Appleby has another strong team of juveniles and can dream of the 2019 Classics now. “We were confident coming here today that he had come forward and that the step up in trip was going to suit,” he said. “He has shown some gears there. William got off and said he has a great racing mind. He travels very sweetly in your hands and he picked up well when he hit the rising ground. He is an exciting horse, for sure. Being by Dubawi one would hope we will see a bit more improvement, with a bit of luck. I would say the [G1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien] National Stakes [at The Curragh Sept. 16] is the more likely target. Seven looks to be his trip, but hopefully further down the line a mile will be for him.” Aidan O'Brien said of Cape of Good Hope, “He ran a lovely race and we couldn't be happier. We are going gently with him and you can see that with every run he is getting a bit better. I think he is still a baby, so he is progressing. Physically he is strong, but mentally he is still a baby. I don't think a mile will be a problem when that time comes, but we've plenty of time for that and we don't need to go there yet.”
Quorto, who was the first juvenile by his sire to win in 2018, is the only foal so far out of the Luca Cumani-trained Volume who captured the Listed Swettenham Stud Fillies Trial S. before filling third spot in the G1 English and Irish Oaks in 2014. Stamina for beyond a mile is assured, with her second dam being Victoire Bleue (GB) (Legend of France), heroine of the 2 1/2-mile G1 Prix du Cadran who later produced the G2 Prix Hubert de Chaudenay and G3 Prix du Lys winner and G1 St Leger runner-up Vertical Speed (Fr) (Bering {GB}).
Saturday, Newmarket, Britain
BET365 SUPERLATIVE S.-G2, £80,000, Newmarket, 7-14, 2yo, 7fT, 1:25.48, g/f.
1–QUORTO (IRE), 127, c, 2, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Volume (GB) (SW & G1SP-Eng & G1SP-Ire, $210,078), by Mount Nelson (GB)
2nd Dam: Victoire Finale (GB), by Peintre Celebre
3rd Dam: Victoire Bleue (GB), by Legend of France
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Godolphin; T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick, £45,368. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $66,892. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Cape of Good Hope (Ire), 127, c, 2, Galileo (Ire)–Hveger (Aus), by Danehill. (240,000gns Ylg '17 TATOCT). O-Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Hveger Syndicate (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £17,200.
3–Neverland Rock (GB), 127, c, 2, No Nay Never">No Nay Never–Jessica Rocks (GB), by Fastnet Rock (Aus). (€480,000 Ylg '17 ARAUG). O-Phoenix Thoroughbred Ltd; B-Deveron Ltd (GB); T-Richard Hannon. £8,608.
Margins: 3 3/4, HF, 4HF. Odds: 1.25, 6.00, 8.00.
Also Ran: Certain Lad (GB), Daafr (Ire), Forseti (GB), Blown By Wind (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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