Lord North proves a class apart in Winter Derby
Lord North was preparing for a Dubai Turf hat-trick after outclassing his rivals in the BetUK Winter Derby at Lingfield.
John and Thady Gosden’s charges, who won the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot three years ago, have since claimed back-to-back Group 1 victories on World Cup night at Meydan.
The seven-year-old found Alenquer too strong in last year’s winter derby but fell to a dead heat with Japan’s Panthalassa while defending his crown in Dubai and returned to his first appearance at Lingfield since being beaten by just a length to fourth place was at the coral eclipse at Sandown in July.
Despite the lengthy absence, Lord North was the 8/11 favorite for a successful comeback and could be called the victor far from home.
As front stablemate Harrovian weakened, it was left to Lord North to roll in the Tyrrhenian down the straight and he did so with ease before moving away by three and a half lengths in the hands of Robert Havlin.
“His work was much better and I think that was a better performance, even if the race wasn’t as intense as last year,” the winning driver told Sky Sports Racing.
“He struggled a bit in the last stadium and a half last year but today I was always sure he would catch up.
“The track doesn’t really suit him and doesn’t play to his strengths. He’s better on cantering tracks when he has a strong pace but his class shined through and he showed us that (at home) – it’s like he’s a four or five year old again.
“Hopefully we can sing again and win it (Dubai Turf) straight away this year.”
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Joint coach Thady Gosden was in Riyadh to watch Mostahdaf record an impressive win on the Saudi Cup undercard and was delighted to see Lord North also take gold.
He said: “It’s a beautiful double! As you saw he was in the middle of the field and coming around the corner and he was gaining really well.
“He’s had a long time off track so was obviously a bit rusty but Rab gave him a great ride under hands and heels. He never panicked and showed the good foot rotation that we know from him.
“He’s won the Dubai Turf twice and hopefully he can use that as a stepping stone even if there’s still a month to go. As long as he gets out of the race well, we have a smooth process.”
Kimngrace (12/1) benefited from a cool drive from George Rooke to earn Listened Honors in the BetUK Hever Sprint Stakes.
In her first appearance since finishing sixth on the Doncaster turf in the autumn, the Richard Hughes-trained filly was well back in the pack to round the final corner but flew home outside the runners to defeat the 100-30 favorite Tone The Barone to refuse half the length.
Hughes said: “I have a race in mind for her at Deauville in April over five and a half furlongs and I had to hit her when we go there on soft ground.
“I could have raced them in a handicap or a list race and I said we might as well have two bites of the cherry to try and get a black guy. To go and win was brilliant.
“I told George to hold on to her tails as she’s not fast enough for five furlongs here. He did exactly what I told him to do and he was very brave which is brilliant as he works hard.”
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