Another Goodwood victory for Dutch Connection

Dutch Connection made it three course and distance successes when taking in good style the G3 Supreme Stakes over seven furlongs at Goodwood, UK, on Sunday, August 27.

The five-year-old horse, trained by Charlie Hills and partnered by Jim Crowley, broke widest of all among the six starters and remained on the outside initially as Salateen immediately set a good pace up front.

Dutch Connection raced in second, with the field soon well strung out, and initially tried to challenge with over two furlongs remaining.

He got going approaching the distance, swept past Salateen just inside the final furlong and ran on to triumph by two lengths in the fast time of 1m 24.21s on good, good to firm in places, ground.

Dutch Connection won the G2 Lennox Stakes in July, 2016, at Glorious Goodwood, finished runner-up in the same contest in 2015 and captured a maiden at the Sussex course in 2014, all over seven furlongs.

Charlie Hills commented: “He was declared to run in the Lennox Stakes a couple of weeks ago but, unfortunately, the ground was not quite right for him.

“It was then the plan to bring him back to Goodwood for this race today. He has been successful here twice before and seven furlongs is the ideal trip for him. 

“There is now quite a programme of seven-furlong Group races, including the Park Stakes (G2) at Doncaster (September 16) and then the Challenge Stakes (G2) at Newmarket (October 13). 

“So there are plenty of races for him – he has been lightly raced this year but whether he is at his best yet, I am not too sure. I think this race will give him plenty of confidence going forward.”

This was Dutch Connection’s third win at G3 level from three runs in the grade.