Master Of The Seas returns with all guns blazing in G1 Maker’s Mark Mile

Master Of The Seas secured a third top-level success in North America when readily beating Naval Power as the duo dominated the finish to the G1 Maker’s Mark Mile at Keeneland on Friday, 12 April.

Making his first start since edging out Mawj in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile, Master Of The Seas raced in a clear fifth of the six runners for William Buick before moving up to dispute third on the inside of Shirl’s Speight entering the back straight.

Naval Power broke slowly under Tyler Gaffalione and was held up in last before taking closer order leaving the back straight.

Both Charlie Appleby-trained runners travelled into contention entering the home stretch, with Master Of The Seas darting down the inside of Emmanuel to take up the running over a furlong from home.

Naval Power also showed good acceleration between horses to go second passing the furlong pole. The Godolphin homebreds forged ahead inside the final half-furlong, with Dubawi six-year-old Master Of The Seas hitting the line strongly to score by a cosy two and a quarter lengths.

Charlie Appleby said: “Master Of The Seas showed his versatility today. When he has done so much winning on quick ground, you are always slightly dubious when it’s as testing as it was today, although He has got form on slower surfaces.

“Naval Power was a bit slow from the gate and we felt that he would potentially be a horse who could go forward and ensure a decent gallop, but there was a nice gallop on. William got Master Of The Seas into a nice position and, once they came off the turn, all he needed was that gap to give the horse the signal to pick up.

“William and Tyler gave their horses great rides and both Master Of The Seas and Naval Power hopefully have nice seasons here in America. Master Of The Seas might go to Churchill Downs for the G1 Turf Classic on Derby Day, while Naval Power might head to Aqueduct for the G2 Fort Marcy. Then they will ship to Saratoga for the summer there.”

William Buick added: “Master Of The Seas has learnt to relax in any spot in a race over the past two or three years and his trips to America and Canada have really made a man of him. Once the gates open, he is the kind of horse that you can put anywhere you want and he is always going to have that finishing kick.

“He is so good on fast ground that we weren’t quite sure about the soft today, but he handled it well and picked up like he would on a quicker surface. He is a very good miler.”