Starman breaks clear of crowd, takes July Cup
Starman was live in the July Cup betting markets this past week, and on Saturday at Newmarket he showed why by overcoming a difficult trip to win the Group 1 sprint fixture going away.
Starman and jockey Tom Marquand were away near the back of an 18-runner field in this six-furlong, straight-course dash, and halfway through the contest Starman got caught behind and between horses, eventually bouncing his way into the clear as the field dipped into the downhill section of the race.
Then came the rising ground that leads to the Newmarket finish and Starman, a real beast of a colt, powered uphill with an excellent turn of foot that took him from contention to clear victory in a matter of strides. He crossed the wire 1 1/4 lengths in front of 3-year-old Dragon Symbol, who got six pounds from the winner and nosed out 2020 July Cup winner Oxted for the place.
“That was a top performance,” Marquand said.
Starman floundered on a very soft course in the British Champions Sprint last fall, but that is his only loss in six starts, while trainer Ed Walker landed the first Group 1 success of his career. Four-year-old Starman is by Dutch Art out of Northern Star, by Montjeu, and has the look of a blossoming top European sprinter. He could race next in the Prix Maurice de Gheest over a straight 6 1/2 furlongs next month at Deauville.
Saturday was not the day for the American horse Extravagant Kid, who won the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai two races ago and finished third in the Group 1 King’s Stand on opening day of Royal Ascot. Extravagant Kid never reached contention while racing down the center of the course and faded to finish 14th under Frankie Dettori.