3 minute read
Vandeek made no mistake of remaining unbeaten in a Markel Richmond Stakes decimated by non-runners at Glorious Goodwood this afternoon.
Heavy rain on Wednesday led to two of the three market leaders not taking part but connections of Vandeek did not mind as the son of Havana Grey enhanced his already tall reputation.
A 625,000gns breeze-up purchase, Vandeek ultimately had no right to make a winning debut at Nottingham after giving away upwards of six lengths having been slowly away from the stalls.
Once again, Andrea Atzeni's mount wasn't the sharpest out of the gates, but the Sardinian-born jockey showed no signs of panic as he settled Vandeek just off the leaders. Atzeni pulled his mount towards the far side to make his challenge and the Crisford-trained colt quickened up in the style of a smart performer entering the final two furlongs. He still looked in need of further experience out in front and although the gap closed to a winning margin of a length, in all truth, the result was never in doubt and Vandeek was always in command.
Ballymount Boy kept on nicely for the second spot while front-runner Toca Madera was a further five lengths back in third.
Winning rider Andrea Atzeni told ITV Racing: "He was very impressive first time out at Nottingham, when he missed the break by six lengths but made up a lot of ground and put the race to bed quite nicely. They've done a bit of work in the stalls with him since then and today the race worked out perfectly.
"We knew he would go on the ground, and he jumped out, got a nice pitch behind one horse and when I let him down, he dropped down a gear, quickened up nicely and won comfortably.
"For a breeze-up [sales] horse he's very laid back and you never really get any feel until you ask him to do something - he's the same at home. He only switches on when you ask him to quicken.
"I'm flying to Hong Kong at the end of the month and my commitment is there for at least six months. It's nice to have ridden a horse like this and I'm delighted for Simon and Ed [Crisford, trainers] and grateful they gave me the chance to ride him this time, but next time I expect someone else will be on him. It is what it is and he's a smart colt with a bright future.
"I'll talk about Hong Kong when I'm there, but I've got a job to do for now so let's enjoy Glorious Goodwood."
Speaking with Racing TV, joint-trainer Simon Crisford said: "He was bought at the Craven Breeze-Up Sale, and we were very lucky he was allocated to us - if you get the good horses in your stable you have half a chance of doing well.
"It's nerve-wracking [when a horse has cost 625,000gns] because you don't want to miss your lines as he nearly did at Nottingham. It makes you think twice about your campaign, but I think with a horse like that having won the way he did [at Nottingham] he had to go and do something better.
"A little bit of juice in the ground suits him, but next year he will go on quick ground. This year as a two-year-old we'll keep him to sensible ground and not too firm. His bones still aren't mature enough to cope with really quick ground."
Paddy Power remained unchanged at 33/1 on Vandeek gaining Classic glory at Newmarket next season.
On whether this is a potential Guineas contender, he said: "Well we don't know how this form is going to stack up. The Prix Morny is going to be an altogether different type of race. Stamina-wise, he's out of an Exceed And Excel mare, there is tonnes of speed in his pedigree, but he strikes us at home like he will go further. I was questioning whether we should go to the Acomb for his next race, rather than the Richmond. He's always looked like a horse that will go further. And he's big, scopey, stands over a lot of daylight, he will stay."
