Star stayer Stradivarius cruises to second Doncaster Cup win

Superstar stayer Stradivarius produced another imperious display to bag his second Doncaster Cup.

John and Thady Gosden’s seven-year-old has dominated the division in recent seasons, with his illustrious CV including three Gold Cups at Royal Ascot, four Goodwood Cups, three Lonsdale Cups and two Yorkshire Cups.

With his chief rival Trueshan missing this potential clash on account of unsuitable ground, Stradivarius was the 4-11 favourite to regain his crown on Town Moor – and the result was scarcely ever in doubt.

Given a confident ride by Frankie Dettori, the son of Sea The Stars cruised into contention in the home straight, with the popular Italian looking round for non-existent dangers as he moved alongside the front-running Nayef Road.

Once given his head, Stradivarius readily extended clear – passing the post with two and a half lengths in hand over Alerta Roja, who beat Nayef Road to the runner-up spot.

Gosden said: “He’s a wonderful horse. He’s been great at home. He’s enjoyed all his training. He loves his racing and likes coming racing.

“He’s a phenomenon.

“I had no qualms about coming here. He senses a horse coming to him and plays cat and mouse with them now.

“I couldn’t have been more thrilled with him. I’m sorry the other horse (Trueshan) didn’t run but maybe we’ll meet one day.

“He’s had a great season. He’s won three out of four. Frankie’s ride in the Gold Cup wasn’t his greatest. The winner was mighty impressive and the sad thing for me in the year is that we couldn’t run at Goodwood, because he adores Goodwood.

“His enthusiasm is there 100 per cent and I can assure everyone who loves him, the moment it’s not there he will be retired. Until that day comes, which he will tell us, he will race.”

Gosden is now considering the autumn options in France and Britain for Stradivarius.

He said: “There are two races in the autumn – the Cadran and Ascot (Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup). Ascot last year was heavy and he hated it. Those are the options. It will be one not both.

“He’ll go on summer soft but not when it goes autumn deep. He cannot take it. It was a mistake to run him in it last year and in the Arc.

“He lives a bit on the edge. He lets us know what he wants. I’ve always adored stayers and to train him is a dream come true.”

Dettori added: “That was great. It’s probably the easiest race he’s had since last year when he was here.

“He made it look easy again. He still loves his racing.”

Caturra came from the clouds to claim top honours in the Wainwright Flying Childers Stakes at Doncaster.

Successful in a novice event at Bath and the Listed Rose Bowl at Newbury earlier in the season, Clive Cox’s juvenile was last seen filling the runner-up spot behind the re-opposing Attagirl at York.

The son of Mehmas was a 7-1 shot for this Group Two assignment, with much of the pre-race attention focusing on the Richard Hannon-trained Armor – who was dropping in distance and class after finishing fourth in the Prix Morny.

The market leader looked slightly outpaced at halfway, but picked up well in the final furlong to grab the lead under Ryan Moore.

Unfortunately for favourite backers, however, Caturra came from even further back in the hands of Adam Kirby – displaying a brilliant finishing kick to get up and beat Armor by a neck.

Cox said: "I wish I wasn't stood at the furlong pole - I wish I had been closer to the line as I was a bit worried when he passed me. I didn't think he was going to get there, but he's always shown us a pleasing turn of foot.

"I've never had a sprinter with such a sober approach. He had a lay down at the races when he arrived here today.

"He's got a wonderful mind and lot of speed. We just had to fine tune how we were riding him as he was using up a little bit too much too early.

"That was fantastic and brilliant Adam (Kirby) got there."

The Lambourn handler raised the possibility of Caturra returning to six furlongs at some stage, adding: "He does get six and ridden this way, he's switching off so well in his races we can think about that as well.

"I don't think there's any doubt he's done it really well today. Also he's coped with softer ground last time than I thought possible.

"He showed more of a versatile approach than we imagined, so I'm really pleased.

"His turn of foot was amazing and to do that over five is very special.

"From a management point of view, his laid-back temperament is a big asset."

Noble Truth put an under-par run behind him to get back on track in game fashion in the Cazoo Flying Scotsman Stakes at Doncaster.

The Charlie Appleby-trained colt had looked a bright prospect when getting off the mark at Newmarket on his second start, only to blot his copy book when fourth behind Royal Patronage in the Group Three Acomb Stakes at York last month.

The Godolphin-owned runner showed that form to be wrong with a battling success over Hoo Ya Mal in this Listed contest over seven furlongs.

Hoo Ya Mal looked like getting up, but Noble Truth (9-1) rallied to deny the 2-1 favourite by a nose. Gwan So was a length and a quarter away in third.

“He obviously won nicely at Newmarket and disappointed the last day for no apparent reason,” said Appleby’s assistant, Alex Merriam.

“He settled nicely today and we’re pleased with him.

“I’ve had a quick chat with Charlie. There are no immediate plans, but we’ll stick to seven furlongs at the minute and just see where we go when we get home.”

Thunder Max gave Richard Hannon a pleasant surprise when making a winning debut in the Coopers Marquees Maiden Stakes.

By the trainer’s 2014 2000 Guineas hero Night Of Thunder, Thunder Max (16-1) knuckled down for Rossa Ryan to outpoint the more experienced Leuven Power by a neck. Unilateralism was a neck away in third place.

“He’s always been a lovely colt and he was coming here for a run. He’s not shown anything at home but quite often the nice horses do that,” said Hannon.

“He’s wanted the trip and he’ll improve massively. I’m very happy.

“There are some lovely races in the autumn – there’s the Autumn Stakes, the Horris Hill. I’m just delighted he’s done that. I’d hoped he’d be a nice horse but I didn’t know. He’s not a flashy horse at home, but he’s by Night Of Thunder and anything is possible by that stallion.”