By Tom Frary
Bolstered by a nine-length success in a novice auction stakes at Beverley June 26, the already well-journeyed Victory Command made all on his black-type bow to provide War Command with a first winner in that sphere. Sent straight to the front by Silvestre De Sousa, the bay was soon clear and benefitted from the unquantifiable magic that rider conjures up in that position to hand a comprehensive beating to Glorious Lover. “As soon as they get rated above 90 you have got to look at black-type,” Charlie Johnston, assistant to father Mark, explained. “At the five-day stage it looked pretty deep, but it started to cut up. He has done nothing but surprise since day one. He is entered next week in a nursery at Goodwood. I would not rule that out.”
Victory Command is the second black-type winner for Aguinaga (Ire) (Machiavellian) after the G2 Gimcrack S. and G3 Bengough Memorial S. winner Conquest (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). The dam is a half to the G1 Haydock Park Sprint hero Iktamal (Danzig Connection), the MGSW First Magnitude (Ire) (Arazi) and the GII Arkansas Derby scorer Rockamundo (Key To the Mint). This is also the family of the G3 Prestige S. winner Sent From Heaven (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}).
WOOLDRIDGE GROUP PAT EDDERY S.-Listed, £30,000, Ascot, 7-28, 2yo, 7fT, 1:29.25, g/f.
1–VICTORY COMMAND (IRE), 129, c, 2, by War Command
1st Dam: Aguinaga (Ire), by Machiavellian
2nd Dam: Crystal Cup, by Nijinsky II
3rd Dam: Rose Bowl, by Habitat
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (6,000gns Ylg '17 TATDEY). O-Kingsley Park 10; B-J Higgins (IRE); T-Mark Johnston; J-Silvestre de Sousa. £17,013. Lifetime Record: 7-4-1-2, $49,402. *1/2 to Conquest (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), MGSW-Eng, $429,789.
2–Glorious Lover (Ire), 129, c, 2, Tamayuz (GB)–Love Match (GB), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). (43,000gns Wlg '16 TATFOA; 100,000gns Ylg '17 TAOCT). O-KIR (HK) Ltd & Dr Johnny Hon. £6,450.
3–Nate the Great (GB), 129, c, 2, Nathaniel (Ire)–Theladyinquestion (GB), by Dubawi (Ire). (30,000gns RNA Ylg '17 TAOCT). O-Mildmay Racing & D H Caslon. £3,228.
Margins: 2, HD, HF. Odds: 4.50, 10.00, 1.50.
Also Ran: Master Brewer (Fr), Hesslewood (Ire), Almurr (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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