Galileo's Highland Reel Wins the Gordon

Wednesday, Goodwood, Britain

NEPTUNE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT GORDON S.-G3, £100,000, GOO, 7-29, 3yo, 12fT, 2:34.94, gd.

1–HIGHLAND REEL (IRE), 127, c, 3, by Galileo (Ire)

1st Dam: Hveger (Aus) (MGSP-Aus), by Danehill

2nd Dam: Circles of Gold (Aus), by Marscay (Aus)

3rd Dam: Olympic Aim, by Zamazaan (Fr)

(460,000gns Ylg '13 TAOCT). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Hveger Syndicate (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Joseph O'Brien. £56,710. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Fr, 7-3-2-0, $587,523. *1/2 to Valdemoro (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}), MG1SP-Aus, $337,006. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.

2–Scottish (Ire), 127, g, 3, Teofilo (Ire)–Zeiting (Ire), by Zieten. (€170,000 Ylg '13 GOFORB). O-Mrs Fitri Hay; B-Knocktoran Stud (IRE); T-Andrew Balding. £21,500.

3–Disegno (Ire), 127, c, 3, Fastnet Rock (Aus)–Seven Magicians, by Silver Hawk. O/B-Niarchos Family (IRE); T-Sir Michael Stoute. £10,760.

Margins: 1HF, 5, 1. Odds: 1.75, 7.00, 7.00.

Also Ran: Medrano (GB), Space Age (Ire), Proposed (GB), Tommy Docc (Ire), Amaze Me (GB), Prince Gagarin (Ire). Scratched: Red Tornado (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result or the brisnet.com PPs. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

Having shown abundant speed at two, Highland Reel had been well beaten when fifth on his first attempt at this trip in the G1 Irish Derby at The Curragh last time June 27 but connections persevered and he duly rewarded their faith by turning in one of his better efforts to win this St Leger trial. Impressive when successful by 12 lengths in a mile maiden at Gowran Park before following up in the G2 Vintage S. over seven at this meeting last July, the bay had returned with a flat effort to be sixth when favored for the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains over a mile at Longchamp May 10 before running with far more credit when second in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club over 10 1/2 furlongs at Chantilly May 31. Never a factor in the Irish Derby, he came in for late support as Joseph O'Brien had him relaxed going down to post and he instantly settled into a swinging rhythm in fourth off the steady early tempo. One of only three in contention in early straight, he was held in a pocket by Disegno on his outer as Scottish stole away with over two furlongs remaining but stood his ground and muscled his way out and into daylight soon after. Wearing down Scottish approaching the furlong pole, he stayed on to score from that stoutly bred rival to leave connections in a quandary regarding his prospects for Doncaster's Sept. 12 Classic over an extended 14-furlong trip. “We weren't sure he'd stay, as after he ran in the French Derby Joseph thought he would and then he was disappointing in the Irish Derby,” trainer Aidan O'Brien commented. “We didn't really know what to expect and I thought it looked like he was running a bit on empty at the end there, but Joseph felt that he wasn't stopping. We'll have to leave it open with regards to the St Leger, but the lads will get together and decide. If he was going, he'd go straight there. He's a little bit nervy and a free-sweater, but he was a little bit better today than when he came here last year. He's hardy though and recovers very well.” Scottish's trainer Andrew Balding said, “We were very pleased with that run, obviously. As he's a gelding, he won't be going for the Leger, but he could go for the [Aug. 19] G2 Great Voltigeur S. at York if he's okay. He's a lovely horse for the future.”