Horse Racing
Haffner confirms debut promise with smooth Newmarket success
Haffner went one better than his esteemed stablemate Constitution River managed 12 months ago in the Rossdales British EBF Maiden Stakes on July Cup day at Newmarket.
The latter was beaten a short head by Distant Storm in the corresponding race last season but has not tasted defeat since, establishing himself as Aidan O’Brien’s star three-year-old this term with victories in the French Derby and Coral-Eclipse.
Haffner had looked a winner in waiting when making late gains to finish second behind another Ballydoyle juvenile in Abraham Lincoln on his Curragh debut two weeks ago and after being sent straight to the front by Ryan Moore, the 5-4 favourite was always doing enough to keep Al Wathba at bay by a length and a half.
Paul Smith, son of Coolmore partner Derrick Smith, said: “He was very smooth, Ryan was very happy with him. He enjoyed to step up to seven (furlongs) and enjoyed the ground and looks like a stakes horse going forward.
“Aidan was happy to send him across, he’s very laid back and travels well, so we knew that wouldn’t be a problem and he took it all in his stride.
“He’s got a bit of a way to go to get to Constitution River’s level, but it’s a nice start.”
O’Brien added: “He’s a lovely, straightforward horse. He handles the ground and seven furlongs is no problem.
“We’re very happy with him and he’ll step up into a Group race now.”
Ralph Beckett and Jamie Spencer combined to win the HKJC Worldpool Fillies’ Handicap with Planet Seeker (12-1).
After tracking 100-30 favourite Machadadorp for much of the way, the three-year-old quickened up smartly to pull three and a half lengths clear.
“Ralph said she was just ready to start at Southwell last time and she was placed in a Group race at two, so an opening rating of 85 looked a pretty manageable mark if the step up in trip improved her and it did,” said Spencer.
“I was able to sot in behind Oisin (Murphy, riding Machadadorp) and it was a very easy race for me. It was just a case of counting furlongs off and it was pretty easy.
“She flew on the ground and I’m sure the team will have a Listed race on the horizon at some stage.”
Richard Hannon’s St Anton inflicted a nose defeat on the Murphy-ridden 5-2 favourite Alfaraz in the Weatherbys Handicap.
The 10-1 shot looked set to win a shade cosily after sweeping towards the front, but Alfaraz battled back right at the death and they flashed by the post almost as one.
Winning rider Pat Dobbs said: “I thought 50 yards before the line I was in front, but on the line I thought Oisin came back. Luckily my horse carries his head very low and that might have been the difference.
“We don’t know what happened at Ascot, he just ran below par for some reason. He’s a gorgeous horse who does everything right and I think he’ll keep progressing and he could stay a bit further.”
