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Orne digs deep to land Horris Hill Stakes

3 minute read

Robert Havlin galvanised Orne to an all-the-way success in the re-arranged Betfred Horris Hill Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday. 

John Gosden.
John Gosden. Picture: PA

The John and Thady Gosden-trained colt made it two wins from three starts after bouncing back to land the Group 3 prize which was transferred to the Rowley Mile from the card at Newbury that fell victim to the weather last weekend. 

Following his impressive winning debut at Kempton Park, the Al Shaqab Racing-owned colt could only finish fourth at the same level in the Emirates Autumn Stakes on the Rowley Mile behind subsequent Group 1 Futurity winner Ancient Wisdom three weeks ago. 

The son of Acclamation was always towards the fore racing in the far side group and showed a tremendous attitude to fight off the challengers deep inside the final furlong, eventually pulling away to score by a length and a quarter from Witness Stand with Son Of Man a further three-quarters of a length adrift in third. 

Havlin, who landed the 2015 renewal aboard Crazy Horse, said: "It wasn't the plan to make the running. He went last in, but he was first out. Normally he doesn't do a stroke when he is in front. I went on a fresh bit of ground, and he found a rhythm.

"Just towards the end he got a little bit lonely and ducked left, but he has done it well in the end. 

"It wasn't the plan to go on the far side as I wanted to drop in and get a lead and get there late. When I ended up in front, I could see there was fresh ground there so I thought I might as well go there.  

"I could go where I wanted then as I was in front and make a different plan."

A drop back in trip could be on the cards, with Havlin going on to add: "He didn't stay the mile in the Autumn Stakes. He travelled good and he handled the ground, but he just didn't stay. He could get quicker this horse over the winter. 

"It is nice to get another Group winner on the board before the end of the season as I was running out of time."


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