By Sam Turner -
Karl Burke trainee Caviar Heights produced a strong staying performance in the colours of Sheikh Mohammed bin Obaid Al Maktoum to lift the Newmarket Stakes in style and instigate a sparkling treble for the renowned owner.
The Epsom Derby entry powered through the 2000m Listed event under Clifford Lee before quickening clear exiting the Dip to score by four lengths from Sayedaty Sadaty.
In contrast, unbeaten Godolphin contender Endless Victory didn’t go a yard and was eased off by William Buick someway from home to finish last of the five runners.
Caviar Heights holds some lofty entries this summer and his trainer will confer with the owner of the Sea The Stars colt before committing to his next target.
“Today was the plan and I had no big thoughts about the Derby, but I will have to speak to Sheikh Mohammed bin Obaid and see what he thinks,” said Burke.
“He’s also in the Dante, but there isn’t long to that race, and I know his owner doesn’t like to run them back too quickly.
“All he does is eat and drink this fella (Caviar Heights); he has such a tough constitution. “There is a fair bit of speed on the dam side, and he is a lovely horse.
“I wasn’t disappointed with his first run as it was his first for us and it was a learning curve. I thought he might be quick enough for nine furlongs, but it turned out he wasn’t.”
POINT COMES TO THE BOIL
The famous yellow and black silks were also carried to victory later on the card by Boiling Point who gamely saw off Godolphin’s Bold Style to capture the King Charles II Stakes for trainer Roger Varian and rider James Doyle.
The winner overhauled his Godolphin rivals and Queen Of Zafeen on the climb to the line, seeing out the trip strongly to prevail by three-quarters of a length.
“The Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot could be a possible for him now, talking to Roger (Varian),” reported the winning rider.
“The nature of the track there would certainly suit him and beyond Ascot, we’d probably go up to the mile with him.
“He was tough and genuine there and I there should be more improvement to come from him.”
Victory for Kevin Ryan trainee Volterra and rider Neil Callan in the closing event completed a magnificent afternoon for Sheikh Obaid who celebrated a treble on the card courtesy of the impressive two-and-three-quarter length success.
OUTBOX OUT FOXES RIVALS
There was a major surprise in the Jockey Club Stakes when the aggressively ridden Outbox dominated from the front under Hollie Doyle to land the Group 2 feature for trainer Archie Watson.
Sent off an unconsidered 50-1 chance by the international markets, the nine-year-old galloped on remorselessly to see off the likes of Time Lock and Godolphin duo Castle Way and King Of Conquest to register a two-and-a-half length victory. The success was a triumph for Frankel who produced the first two home.
