Walton Street romps home as favorite in Canadian International
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Favored European invader Walton Street was a standout on paper in Saturday’s Grade 1 Canadian International, and the Godolphin runner romped by 5 3/4 lengths under Frankie Dettori in the 1 1/2-mile marathon at Woodbine.
As expected, local longshot Primo Touch led through honest fractions on a substantial lead over a turf course labeled as good. Walton Street took up the chase in second, well ahead of Corelli and Belichick.
Walton Street assumed command at the head of the stretch and never looked back, prevailing in a time of 2:29.07.
Two-time Canadian International winner Desert Encounter rallied from far back to finish a clear second, and Primo Touch held on for third over English Conqueror in the eight-horse field.
Alex Merriman, an assistant to winning trainer Charlie Appleby, said the race went according to plan in in the gelding’s first start with Lasix. Walton Street had a productive winter campaign in Dubai before ending up third in a Group 1 race in Germany following a layoff on Aug. 8, which set him up nicely for the International.
“I think, to be honest, it worked out perfectly,” Merriman said. “Frankie had his gameplan, and we knew he was going to kick on. I’m delighted with him. He had great form in Dubai, ran well in Germany last time, and he had a good performance today. I’m delighted for the horse to win a Group 1.”
A 7-year-old son of Cape Cross, Walton Street ($3.70) earned $360,000 of the $608,400 purse for Godolphin.