Newmarket’s July Festival opened with a result carrying unmistakable royal significance as Point Of Law, racing for HM The King and HM The Queen, landed the £200,000 Group Three Bahrain Trophy under James Doyle.
Point Of Law wins Bahrain Trophy.
The imposing son of Frankel, trained by John and Thady Gosden, travelled prominently behind the early leader before Doyle asked him to move forward approaching the final quarter-mile. Once in front, he stayed on resolutely to defeat Galiyan by half a length.
Del Maro, representing Godolphin, finished another length and a quarter away in third after being unable to match the winner’s sustained effort in the closing stages.
Run over a mile and five furlongs, the Bahrain Trophy has long served as an important examination for three-year-olds who may develop into St Leger contenders. Previous winners Scandinavia and Masked Marvel went on to complete the Newmarket-Doncaster double.
For Point Of Law, the performance also provided compensation for an unfortunate appearance at Royal Ascot, where his chance was compromised at the start before he finished strongly.
Doyle admitted that the Newmarket contest did not unfold exactly as he had anticipated. The early pace was steady, while the colt was forced to race on the outside rather than obtaining the cover his jockey had initially sought.
“He’s quite a big-striding horse and could have relaxed slightly better,” Doyle said. “He definitely stays well enough. At Ascot, he finished the race strongly after we got badly hampered at the start, so it is nice to get him back on the winning track.”
The jockey believes the longer St Leger distance would be within Point Of Law’s capabilities, although he suggested that suitable ground conditions could prove important.
“He floated across the sound surface today,” Doyle added. “The distance should be good for him, but a very testing surface would be more of a concern.”
John Warren, racing manager to HM The King and HM The Queen, was encouraged by the progress shown by the lightly raced colt.
Point Of Law had finished behind Del Maro on his racecourse debut and was still learning his profession when the pair met again at Ascot. At Newmarket, however, he appeared more mature and delivered his challenge with greater purpose.
“He put his head in the right place and stayed on really nicely,” Warren said. “He is a big, raw horse with a future in front of him. It has been a step-by-step process.”
Connections will assess how Point Of Law recovers before deciding his next engagement, but Warren confirmed that the St Leger at Doncaster in September deserves serious consideration.
“If he can find further improvement, which he needs to, why wouldn’t the Leger be a target?” he said. “It will be interesting to see how he develops and what his next start will be.”
Inner City Blues Preserves Unbeaten Record
Godolphin was denied in the opening contest but quickly returned to the winner’s enclosure when Inner City Blues maintained his unbeaten record in the £125,000 Group Two July Stakes.
The Charlie Appleby-trained two-year-old moved into contention inside the final furlong before drawing clear to defeat Adaay Of Scarlett by a length and a quarter in the six-furlong contest.
Inner City Blues, a son of Blue Point, had won on his debut at York and successfully made the considerable step from maiden company into Group-level competition.
Appleby described the colt as an impressive physical specimen who continues to strengthen. A move up to seven furlongs could now be considered, although the trainer believes the youngster may also develop greater speed with experience.
Winning jockey William Buick said Inner City Blues remained inexperienced but praised his straightforward attitude and the authority with which he completed the race.
“He was well on top at the finish,” Buick said. “It was only the second start of his career, and he is a lovely horse with a great mind.”
The afternoon’s £100,000 six-furlong handicap was won by Jazl, trained by Simon and Ed Crisford and ridden by Jack Mitchell.
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