Godolphin's global tally of winners for the weekend was five, but the stand-out victory was that of the progressive stayer Antiquarium, ridden by James McDonald, in Saturday's Northumberland Plate at Newcastle (UK).
Godolphin's global tally of winners for the weekend was five, but the stand-out victory was that of the progressive stayer Antiquarium, ridden by James McDonald, in Saturday's Northumberland Plate at Newcastle (UK).
The Charlie Appleby-trained Antiquarium absolutely 'flew' in the closing stages to overhaul the well-regarded Seamour and win, racing away, by a length and a quarter. It was the mark of a young stayer, who has finally started to put it together.
Last season, the gelded son of New Approach started well, notching a hat-trick, prior to tackling the Listed Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot. His ninth in the 'two-miler' for three-year-olds was an indication that it may all have been happening a bit quick for him.
Four subsequent runs proved frustrating that campaign, but he has returned as a four-year-old a more mature, stronger stayer.
The Northumberland Plate, first run in 1833, is a traditional prize well worth winning, particularly as it often goes to a young stayer, who is ready to work his way higher up the ranks.
Leigh Jordon, the recruitment officer for the Melbourne Spring Carnival, has already been making overtures to Godolphin, courting interest in this year's G1 Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.
John Ferguson, Godolphin's chief executive and racing manager, said: "Antiquarium won the Plate, running off a mark of 99, and he will obviously go up in the handicap. His next run will tell us more about the feasibility of Melbourne."
In Ireland, Godolphin's Moonlight Magic finished sixth in the G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh. He travelled well to the home bend, but he did not have the clearest of runs in the straight.
Trainer Jim Bolger said: "He ran a very good race, but he may not have not have seen out the stiff mile and a half at the Curragh in the (officially Good to Yielding) ground."
Victory went to Harzand, who became the 18th colt to complete the Anglo-Irish Derby double. He had to show fighting qualities, too, as runner-up Idaho threw down a determined challenge inside the final furlong. He repelled him to win by a half a length.
The Arc at Chantilly in October is now the objective, which should be to the Sea The Stars colt's liking.
An evaluation of the current European three-year-old generation is likely to point to a high-class, rather than stellar, crop. But that assessment is on-going and key races at Ascot and Goodwood later in the summer will help the process.
