Racing

Crystallium impresses in maintaining unbeaten record at Newbury

Tom Clover’s filly stuck to her task well and won going away by a length from Wyoming,

Crystallium impressed in maintaining her unbeaten record at Newbury. Photograph: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
Crystallium impressed in maintaining her unbeaten record at Newbury. Photograph: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
Fri Sept 16 2022 - 19:21

Tom Clover may have a 1,000 Guineas contender on his hands as Crystallium maintained her unbeaten record in the Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises British EBF Fillies’ Conditions Stakes at Newbury.

A winner at Chelmsford on her debut, she had missed several engagements since due to unsuitable ground but Clover has clearly done the right thing in looking after her.

Giving weight away all round to some promising types, David Egan’s mount looked to face a tall order when the only other previous winner in the field, Wyoming, shot clear. However, Crystallium stuck to her task well and won going away by a length.

Paddy Power cut the winner to 33-1 from 50s for Newmarket.

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“She looked like she’d strengthened up since her first run, and she did a good bit of work the other day with a decent filly,” said Clover.

“She’s still quite unfurnished and will get a mile next year.

“I don’t want her to run on extremes of ground, but if she’s all right she’ll go for the Oh So Sharp [October 7th, Newmarket].”

Marcus Tregoning has a rich history with Newbury’s Haynes, Hanson & Clark card and while he was not represented in that particular race this year, he did win the second division of the six-furlong British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes.

Second on his debut at Windsor, Skysail (5-1) was produced in a timely fashion by Dougie Costello to hold off the late charge of Dark Trooper.

Tregoning introduced his Sussex Stakes winner Mohaather in the corresponding race in 2018.

“He’s going to make up into a lovely three-year-old and I loved the way he quickened up and stretched. I think seven furlongs or a mile will be fine for him and he’s quite an exciting horse that will get further.

“There are 12 people in the syndicate [Whitsbury 1] which at £4,000 each for 12 months covering everything is tremendous value, I think.”

The first division went to Owen Burrows’s Lajooje (5-6 favourite), who had also been runner-up on his debut at Ffos Las. He was ridden by Ryan Moore.

Burrows said: “Ryan said he probably got there too soon and idled in front, but that he was always holding the second horse.

“He also said he wouldn’t want it any softer, and I think that might do him for this year.

“I don’t think he’s an out and out sprinter, and he could go seven next year.”

Ralph Beckett may let Sam Cooke (5-1) take his chance in the November Handicap for a second successive year after he followed up a recent Newmarket win in the Dubai Duty Free Handicap.

“He’s had all kinds of physical issues and I thought his last run was going to be his last [of the season] but he just might end up in the November Handicap, in which he finished third last year. He wins his races on pure resolution,” said Beckett.

Burrows later doubled up when Perseus Way (5-1) took the concluding Dreweatts Handicap.