Royal Ascot: Dream of Dreams surges in Diamond Jubilee
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLESecond to Blue Point in the 2019 Diamond Jubilee Stakes and second last season to Hello Youmzain, Dream of Dreams was second to none in Saturday’s renewal of the Group 1 sprint at Royal Ascot, getting up by one length under Ryan Moore.
The 7-year-old gelding, now a 31-start veteran, raced from the back of a 12-runner field, closing steadily on Glen Shiel, who led the pack going down the middle of the course, and Art Power, who stuck closer to the stand’s side rail and was the overall leader for the first half-mile of this six-furlong, straight-course fixture. Moore, though, had Dream of Dreams in full flight a furlong from home, and while Glen Shiel stayed on bravely he could not match Dream of Dream’s final surge.
Dream of Dreams, trained by Michael Stoute for his last 24 starts, was a quick, successful 2-year-old of 2016 and is the rare horse to show so much precocity and carry-on at high-level racing well into middle racehorse age. He struggled through the end of his 2019 season, however, but was gelded before his 2020 campaign and returned an improved horse. Dream of Dreams, by Dream Ahead out of Vasilia, by Dansili, scored his ninth career win, finally breaking through with a gem in the Diamond Jubilee.
Creative Force wins Jersey, still unbeaten in ‘21
Creative Force finished 10th in the 2020 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, a noteworthy performance since it’s the only race he has lost in six starts.
Creative Force ran his 2021 record to 5 for 5 and gained a Royal Ascot win Saturday when he captured the Group 3 Jersey Stakes, a seven-furlong, straight-course dash that marked Creative Force’s first try beyond six furlongs. Under James Doyle, Creative Force had no trouble seeing out the longer trip, forging past his talented stablemate Naval Crown through a demanding uphill finish to prevail by 1 1/4 lengths and give Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby a one-two finish.
Unlike earlier in the week, when the two running rails held the best going on the wide Ascot straightaway, middle paths appeared to be preferred following mid-week rain that dramatically softened the course. That was where Creative Force and Doyle made strong headway, moving steadily forward after racing at the rear of an 18-horse field. Naval Crown, sticking closer to the stand’s side rail and running along at the front of the pack on that side of the course, initially dug in when Creative Force, challenging for the lead, drifted toward him with a furlong to go. But the winner was relentless and edged clear in the closing stages, Naval Crown holding off third-place Vadream by three quarters of a length.
Creative Force is by Dubawi out of Choose Me, by Choisir. Appleby indicated his next start could come over 6 1/2 furlongs in the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville.
Filly beats males in Hardwicke
William Buick’s wide, bold move with Wonderful Tonight propelled the filly to a win over males in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes.
Hukum set a perfect pocket trip behind pacesetting Sir Ron Priestley, came out for run turning into the homestretch and was poised to take the lead when Wonderful Tonight, rallying on the far outside, catapulted past him. Wonderful Tonight took command in a few strides and sustained her run to the wire holding off a late, steady move from favored Broome to win by 1 1/2 lengths, Hukum staying on for a solid third in this 1 1/2-mile contest.
David Menuisier trains the winner and had her spot-on for the 4-year-old filly’s first race since Oct. 17, when she won the Group 1 British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes. That race was contested at 1 1/2 miles over a soft Ascot course, just like Saturday’s, and Wonderful Tonight, who got three pounds from her male rivals, clearly appreciates soft and heavy going. Wonderful Tonight is by Le Havre, out of Salvation, by Montjeu.
*** Odds-on favorite Point Lonsdale worked hard to beat Reach for the Moon in the listed Chesham Stakes for 2-year-olds over seven furlongs. Under stout encouragement from Ryan Moore, Point Lonsdale was up by a half-length to give trainer Aidan O’Brien and the Coolmore connections another Royal Ascot winner. Two for two to start his career, Point Lonsdale is by Australia, out of Sweepstake, by Acclamation.