Odds-on favourite Precise was beaten into second place by Blue Bolt in the Group One Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket on Friday, continuing a trend of favourites struggling in the race. Precise, at 4-5, became the fifth of the last seven odds-on shots to disappoint punters, finishing two lengths behind Andrew Balding's four-year-old filly.
Blue Bolt's Dominant Performance
Precise arrived at Newmarket with two Group One wins this season, while Blue Bolt had finished second in last October's Sun Chariot Stakes on her only previous start at the highest level. The pair were among four runners across the track inside the final two furlongs, but Blue Bolt produced the sharpest burst of acceleration to pull clear.
“She’s quality,” Balding said. “Obviously, she looked good at [Royal] Ascot [in the Group Two Duke of Cambridge Stakes] and it’s just nice to see her do it today in that style. She was getting a little lonely at the end, but she’s just got that amazing cruising speed and the ability to sustain it. She’s an exceptional miler.”
Blue Bolt has been unbeaten this season since her debut at Southwell, where she finished fifth of nine. “Since her debut at Southwell, which seems a long time ago, she’s never put a foot wrong on the racecourse. My only concern today was that quick ground at Newmarket might have caught her out, but it didn’t,” Balding added.
Precise's Future Plans
Precise may now step up in trip, as her dam, Way To My Heart, was by Derby winner Galileo. “We always thought she would stay,” Aidan O’Brien, her trainer, said. “We left her at a mile when we had the other filly [Diamond Necklace, the French Oaks winner] going a mile-and-a-quarter next time. It was a very good run today and the winner is a good filly. The Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf [at Keeneland in Kentucky in late October] could be a long-term aim, she should be very comfortable and happy with that.”
Senorita Bonita Wins Duchess of Cambridge Stakes
Earlier on the card, Senorita Bonita, the 900,000 guineas (£945,000) top lot at the Craven breeze-up sale in the spring, won the Group Two Duchess of Cambridge Stakes by three-quarters of a length under Oisin Murphy. She will now step up to Group One company, with the Prix Morny at Deauville next month a likely target. “Her turn of foot was electric today,” Ed Crisford, the winner’s trainer, said. “I think we’ll give her a go in Deauville.”
Satono Reve Looks for July Cup Victory
Satono Reve, Japan’s leading sprinter, was edged out in the dying strides for the second year running in the Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot last month but can gain compensation with a win in Saturday’s July Cup at Newmarket. Satono Reve did almost everything right at Ascot but succumbed to the flying finish of Almeraq on the stiff climb to the line. Newmarket’s July course is less demanding at the business end, and Christophe Lemaire, successful on Satono Reve in a Grade One in Japan earlier this year, should get a decent tow from the speedy Quinault in stall three.
