G2 success sees Aomori City join Vintage company

Aomori City emulated subsequent G1 winners Aljabr, Shamardal, Rio de la Plata and Pinatubo with a decisive victory in the G2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood, UK, on Tuesday, 30 July.

The Charlie Appleby-trained juvenile, stepping up to seven furlongs after finishing third in the G2 July Stakes, was quickly into his stride from his inside draw and overcame an early bump to track the leaders in a close fourth.

William Buick had to wait until the cutaway a furlong and a half out but Aomori City quickened smartly after finding room to hit the front approaching the final half-furlong. The Oasis Dream colt soon took control, crossing the line a length and three-quarters clear of Wolf Of Badenoch.

Charlie Appleby said: “William had obviously decided just before the cutaway to angle out and Aomori City was travelling well. When horses have run to that level over six furlongs, you are going to be confident they are going to travel well and he did that. Once William decided it was time to give him a kick, he had plenty of horse under him.

“We had toyed with the idea of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf for Aomori City over the past couple of weeks. Al Qudra went and won on Saturday and he’s probably a horse we’ll pinpoint towards that race – it doesn’t mean we can’t run two in it. We will keep all options open for Aomori City.

“Today was a marked improvement on what we have seen before. He was neat – he had to be brave there; he got tightened up on the turns, and that does no harm in educating them towards the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

William Buick added: “Being where we were was always the plan. We just had to tussle for our position at the top of the hill and round the turn, which just gave a bit of pressure, but he was very brave and got stuck in.

“Aomori City is a pretty well-seasoned two-year-old and knows his job, which is always a help round here. I was really pleased with his performance – he sort of does what he has to in front, but he won well and I think he’ll improve.

“He has been very effective over six furlongs but equally he was going to improve for the step up to seven. He’s athletic, handy – the track was never a worry.”