England: Gewan rebounds with upset in Dewhurst

Gewan rebounded from a disappointing fourth in the Group 2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster Racecourse on Sept. 13 to record a 24-1 upset in Saturday’s Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes for 2-year-old colts and fillies at Newmarket Racecourse in England.

Gewan was always near the front in a field of nine in the seven-furlong race. Ridden by James Doyle, Gewan (who paid $51.30 in American pools) took the lead with a quarter-mile remaining on the straightaway course and won by three-quarters of a length over Gstaad, the 7-5 favorite.

Distant Storm (5-2) finished third by 1 1/2 lengths while closing from off the pace. Zavateri (5-2) finished fourth, his first career loss in his fifth start.

A colt by Night Thunder, Gewan, trained by Andrew Balding, has won 3 of 4 starts, including the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York Racecourse in August. Gewan was purchased by current owner Zhang Yueshang after the Acomb.

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All four of Gewan’s starts have been at seven furlongs. In the Champagne Stakes, Gewan was beaten four lengths after a troubled trip. Gewan had an awkward start and encountered traffic with more than a furlong remaining.

“I think he was overpriced,” Balding said of Gewan’s final odds in the $667,750 Dewhurst.

“His York performance was very good, and I think you have got to forgive him [for] Doncaster. I don’t think it was just the ground at Doncaster, but for some reason he just wasn’t at his best. He was today.

“He had been working very well, and we weren’t without a hope. He was given a brilliant ride and is a very good horse.”

Balding told the press that Gewan will be pointed for the Group 1 English 2000 Guineas at a mile at Newmarket on May 2.

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